PUBLIC NOTICE FOR POSITION BEING FILLED UNDER DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY (DHA) FOR CERTAIN PERSONNEL of the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (SEC 1109)
Public Notice Number: NAO-DHA-DOC-21-001-Contract Specialist
Opening and Closing Dates: 21 October 2021 – 4 November 2021
Position Title: Contract Specialist, GS-1102-05/07/09.
Multiple positions may be filled through this Public Notice
Full Performance Level: GS-12.
Duty Location: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, Norfolk, Virginia
Salary Range: $35,435 - $101,225
Work Schedule: Full-time Appointment Type: Permanent
Relocation: Relocation bonus not authorized.
Incentive: Recruitment bonus not authorized.
Travel Requirement: Up to 25% Temporary Duty Travel may be required.
Who May Apply: U.S Citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the United States. This announcement is intended to recruit external candidates for current vacancies.
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 (GS-05):
A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field;
Applicants who meet the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement qualify for positions at the
GS-7 level.
Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist (GS-07):
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 meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) assisting with procurement plans by reviewing previous history and market conditions; 2) drafting memorandums for negotiations; 3) performing price/cost analysis; AND 3) assisting with post award functions such as negotiating delivery orders, or price adjustments. 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, quantitative methods, 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/).
Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist (GS-09):
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 meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) applying contracting regulations, contract law and legal precedents; 2) compiling and evaluating price and/or cost data for a variety of pre-award and/or post-award activities; and 3) performing tasks in support of contract administration 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.
Responsibilities/Duties: as an entry level employee, you will work under a supervisor and guidance of a Contracting Officer. You will be assigned tasks designed to familiarize you with different aspects of the occupation. Tasks will vary depending on the Contracting Officer’s current workload, but may include the following:
1. Performing basic work in the contracting field, following a prescribed agenda to complete assignments designed to provide an introduction to the field of Contracting, and an understanding of the organization, program, and policies.
2. Drafting contract provisions and collecting supporting documentation and factual
information to perform cost and price analysis and negotiate contracts.
3. Completing formal/informal classroom training, on-the-job training, and or self-development to obtain basic knowledge of the principles, theories, reference material and work procedures fundamental to the field of Contracting.
4. Participating in a variety of projects utilizing basic computer skills to provide assistance in evaluating requirements and procedures, assisting with the preparation of technical and administrative reports, and interfacing with senior program officials.
Conditions of Employment:
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• NATIONAL AGENCY CHECK WITH WRITTEN INQUIRIES (NACI) - Appointment to this position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE – This position requires pre-employment financial disclosure and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R.
• This position is subject to a mobility or rotation agreement as a condition of employment. You will be required to relocate based on management needs for the duration of employment in this or successor positions.
• DAWIA - This position is covered under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). You must be certified as a Career Field Contracting Level II. Certification is required within 24 months of appointment.
• TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) – You may be expected to travel up to 25% of the time for this position
• Pursuant to EO 14043, all Federal employees, regardless of duty location or work arrangement, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by November 22, 2021, or before entrance on duty if after November 22, subject to exceptions as required by law.
• If selected, the agency will provide information regarding what documentation is needed and how to request any legally required exceptions from this requirement.
• Proof of vaccination will be required. To ensure compliance with this mandate, review the vaccination requirements, to include timelines for receiving required doses, at the following: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/
• 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.
How to Apply:
Please provide your current resume, unofficial transcripts and any supporting documentation via email to CENAO-RECRUIT@usace.army.mil. Please submit all information in PDF or Word format and ensure your email has the following subject line: CENAO-Contracting Specialist Vacancy. Applications will be accepted through 11:59pm EST on 4 November 2021.
Virtual Career Fair:
Norfolk District will host a virtual career fair to provide information about these positions, the internship program, and Contract Specialist career opportunities.
When: Nov 2, 2021 from 1:30p.m.-3:00p.m.
Where: Webex with video option
Who: All interested in starting an exciting career
The details are as follows:
https://usace1.webex.com/usace1/j.php?MTID=m9d42e34496e9f4ebb16854b236dffa2f
Meeting number: 2760 827 4554
Password: BgzHqwm?734
Join by video system
Dial 27608274554@usace1.webex.com
You can also dial 207.182.190.20 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone
+1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free
+1-669-234-1177 US Toll
Access code: 276 082 74554