Contract Specialist

This position is in the Office of Acquisition Management, which is responsible for all acquisition management needs. The incumbent serves as a Contract Specialist under the supervision and direction of the Director, Acquisition Management and provides acquisition, program management, acquisition customer service support, and third-party acquisition support to the agency and its recipients.

Major duties

As a Contract Specialist, you will: Performs pre-award and post-award contract functions including negotiation, cost/price analysis, and administration of contracts for supplies and services. Plans, develops and executes an acquisition strategy fulfilling the objectives of socioeconomic programs goals. Manages workload in automated procurement data systems. Composes written materials (e.g. emails, memoranda, documents) in a succinct and organized manner. Prepare various formal and informational communications to both internal and external audiences on acquisition-related topics. The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical, writing, reporting, and oral communications skills. These skills should accompany a broad range of experience in the contracting profession, including a combination of operational contracting experience and/or desire to grow into the acquisition life cycle policy and oversight program.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience communicating contract functions, performance milestones, and remediation strategies to customers during all phases of an active contract lifecycle. Experience developing, negotiating, and managing business solutions exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold high-dollar, multi-year procurements using a variety of contract types. Experience planning, procuring, and administering contracts subject to formal source selection procedures to support an organization's mission requirement for technical acquisition management. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Customer Service - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. Contracting/Procurement - Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques, or requirements (for example, Federal Acquisition Regulations) for contracting or procurement, and contract negotiation and administration. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Strategic Thinking - Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization when negotiating. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Basic Requirements for GS-13 and Above A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position. B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D. D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

Requirements

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).