CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The incumbent will be responsible for serving as Contracting Officer with unlimited signatory authority for a significant system or program.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

This position may be filled using Direct Hire Authority: Z5CAV/Direct-Hire Authority (Certain DoD Personnel) PL 118-31, Sec 125OB (i)(2), 12/22/2023. This position is being filled under the memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) "Expansion of Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense," dated August 12,2024.

As a CONTRACT SPECIALIST at the GS-1102-14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Serves as a Contracting Officer with unlimited signatory authority over major programs and systems valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, utilizing a diverse range of contract types.
• Acts as a team leader and technical expert, managing the work of Contract Specialists, providing guidance on acquisition strategy, and reviewing work products for regulatory compliance and quality.
• Distributes and balances the workload for a team of specialists, monitors work progress, and is responsible for mentoring and developing junior employees.
• Directs the complete range of contract administration actions, including issuing modifications, negotiating changes, exercising options, appraising contractor performance, and resolving claims.
• Plans, develops, and implements all contractual aspects of an acquisition program, including developing innovative contract language, conducting negotiations, and performing market research and cost/price analysis.
• Meets regularly with customers to ensure acquisition planning meets their needs, works to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensures compliance with all federal, DoD, and agency contracting laws and socioeconomic goals.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally (Overtime/compensatory time may be required to accommodate operational needs of the organization.)
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form, OGE 450, within 30 days of entering the position, annually and upon termination of employment in accordance with DoD Directive 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, August 30, 1993.
• Telework Eligibility: This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines. This position is not eligible for remote telework.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
• Must consent to and pre-employment drug testing and be sub periodic drug testing thereafter.
• This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Contracting functional area.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1102, series as listed below:

DOD QUALIFICATION STANDARD FOR GS-1102 CONTRACTING POSITIONS

Basic Education Requirements for GS-5 through GS-15 (or equivalent) positions:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.

*NOTE : The education requirements listed above apply only to individuals entering DoD GG-1102 positions on or after October 1, 2000. Current civilian personnel 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 are exempt from meeting this requirement (SF-50s must be provided to show applicant is a current 1102 and has been in this series since October 1, 2000 if using this exception). Current military members who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 or before September 30, 2000 are also exempt from meeting this requirement.

Waivers: With the exception of Specialized Experience, the component acquisition career management authority may waive any or all of the requirements listed in this qualifications standard with respect to any employee of the Department of Defense if the board certifies that the individual possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated job performance and qualifying experience.

DOD Link: *NOTE : Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Department of Defense's basic qualifications requirements. See: for DoD qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service:

• Developing acquisition alternatives and executing procurement instruments (e.g., contracts, Purchase Orders, Delivery Orders, and Other Transaction Agreements) to acquire essential supplies and services;
• Performing all phases of contract administration to include property management, and terminate or close out of contracts, contracting methods, negotiation techniques and contract types sufficient to perform pre-award, post-award, and price/cost analysis functions to procure complex and/or diversified supplies and services;
• Providing consultation services to Management concerning acquisition planning, development, and progress.

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.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Other Notes:

ACQUISITION POSITION: This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Contracting functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the professional tier within 3 years. The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

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.

Help

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.