Job Title: Contract Specialist

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to Contract Specialist positions.

This is an Open Continuous Job Announcement with a closing date of December 29, 2023.

Applicants must reapply every 90 days to remain eligible for consideration.

Resumes may be pulled two weeks after the Job Announcement opening date and as vacancies occur within each district.
Learn more about this agency

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
02/27/2023 to 12/29/2023

Salary
$37,696 - $89,835 per year Salary will be set based upon the grade level and location at which selection is made.

Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 11

Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:

Chicago

Louisville, KY

Detroit

Buffalo, NY
Show more locations (3)

Pittsburgh

Nashville, TN

Huntington, WV Remote job
No

Telework eligible
Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required
Occasional travel - Some positions may required occasional work travel. This requirement will be identified at the time the job offer is made.

Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes-Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.

Appointment type
Multiple Appointment Types - This announcement may be used to fill Permanent, Temporary. and/or Term positions.

Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - This announcement may be used to fill Full-time and Part-time positions.

Service
Competitive

Promotion potential
11

Job family (Series)
1102 Contracting

Supervisory status
No

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Announcement number
SWGJ23XXXXXX5405HWS

Control number
708767600

This job is open to

The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Videos

Duties
Develop procurement plans by reviewing previous history, market conditions, and specifications/technical data packages. Analyze and evaluate findings contained in audit reports and supports recommendations with detailed analysis of each cost element. Identify areas subject to negotiation (e.g., price, quantity discounts, packaging, payment discounts, transportation, and delivery, etc.). Perform cost analysis to assist with determining acceptability of technical proposals prior to conducting reward surveys for determining responsibility of prospective contractor. Ensure post-award actions taken are following all applicable laws, regulations and procedures, and Executive Orders.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment
Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. This is an Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Workforce position. Selectees must meet position requirements for CONTRACTING Certification within 36 months of entrance on duty. Selections may be made at the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, or GS-11 grade level and salary will be set based on the grade level and location at the time of selection. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Temporary and TERM appointments are time-limited and may be extended up to eight years. This position may be converted to permanent career or career-conditional appointment without further competition as long as all requirements are met. This position may require you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter. Selectees at the GS-5 or GS-7 level must take and pass the Administrative Careers With America (ACWA) assessment before being able to be appointed.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education/experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist (1102) GS-5/7/9/11:
Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.
OR
Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000.

In addition to the Basic Requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below.

To qualify for the GS-5 level you must possess:

Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.
OR
Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000..

To qualify for the GS-7 level you must possess:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service which includes procuring a wide variety products and services; administering terms and conditions of contracts; negotiating and awarding contracts and contract modifications; performing price/cost analysis; monitoring contractor's performance; performing work associated with termination of contracts. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, or organization and management.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:
(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses;OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).

To qualify for the GS-9 level you must possess:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level which includes performing contracting and procurement work such as: procuring a wide variety of products and services; administering terms and conditions of contracts; and follow-up with vendors on delivery. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: : accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, or organization and management or LL.B. or J.D.
OR
Combination of Education & Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

To qualify for the GS-11 level you must possess:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level which includes performing contracting and procurement work such as: procuring a wide variety of products and services; administering terms and conditions of contracts; follow-up with vendors on delivery, invoicing and payment; performing price/cost analysis to determine price reasonableness; or similar contracting work. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR
Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, or organization and management.
OR
Combination of Education & Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education
ADMINISTRATIVE CAREERS WITH AMERICA (ACWA) ASSESSMENT: The series on this job announcement are covered under the Administrative Careers With America (ACWA) examining program. The ACWA Program for entry-level hiring is at the GS-05 or GS-07 grade levels. These are developmental positions with non-competitive promotion potential to the GS-11. You will serve in an entry level, developmental capacity to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities with non-competitive promotion potential to the GS-11 when all work can be performed at that level and all other requirements are met.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Career Program (CP) 14 - Contracting position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction.htm for more information. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances MAY be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest. Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within a designated time frame identified by the organization. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy. Information may be requested regarding the vaccination status of selectees for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols. For more information, visit https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/. Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be authorized. A service agreement will be required for receipt of PCS allowances and/or Recruitment/Relocation incentive(s).

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.

If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist (External).

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume: Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy. For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position. For additional information see: What to include in your resume. 2. Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.