Contract Specialist

Summary

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

About the Position: The Walla Walla District US Army Corps of Engineers helps manage local water resources for navigation, flood damage reduction, disaster assistance, hydroelectric power generation, and other natural and heritage areas.

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Duties

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• Review procurement packages for construction, A-E services, supplies, miscellaneous services.
• Prepare pre-award and post-award contract documents.
• Business Advisor for Source Selection Evaluation Boards.
• Formulate negotiation strategies, prepare pre-negotiation objectives memoranda and price negotiation memoranda.
• Administer contracts. Assure all acquisition report documents are accurate and provided promptly when requested or required.
• Close out contracts or issue termination notices and review settlement proposals.
• Provide technical advice and guidance.
• Senior Contract Specialist

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Incumbent is assigned as a Warranted Contracting Officer with a $1,000,000 warrant authority. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Contracting Officer Warrant at a minimum of $1,000,000.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must upload transcript(s) or waiver to verify meet education requirement.
• Annual Financial Disclosure.
• Obtain WAU (Warfighter AcquisitionUniversity) Professional Certification in Contracting within 3 years.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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:

Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if you are (A) 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) I am 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 meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

GS-12 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes (1) applying contracting principles and procedures applicable to pre-award and post-award actions to procure and administer contracts for construction, architect-engineering services, specialized equipment, and/or services, AND (2) recent (within the past 3 years) and relevant experience acting as the Contracting Business Advisor on best value procurements, both Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) and Best Value Trade-off (BVTO). (Each part of this requirement contains a lot of information; be sure your resume reflects the same level of detail when documenting you have this specific experience). This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11 or higher).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For the GS-12 job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Education

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:

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.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• 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 Contracting and Acquisition Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• 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 for more information.
• 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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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.