DIRECTOR - CONTRACTING AND PROCUREMENT

Summary This position is designated as SES, Career Reserved. USDA structures its positions into position levels. This is a position level III with a salry range of $213,943 - $225,700 per year. Exceptions to the salary cap may be considered in certain circumstances. SES employees are also eligible to receive bonuses and performance-based awards. Visit www.opm.gov/ses for additional information and benefits for SES employees. Duties Provides executive oversight, strategic planning and overall vision to a department-wide acquisition program that processes over 58,000 actions worth about $10 billion annually. Responsible for the execution and management of procurements worth about $1.5 billion annually to support the Secretary, staff offices and other internal customers. Provides guidance to the Deputy Director, Division Chiefs and Mission Area Chiefs of the Contracting Office (COCOs) in development of comprehensive strategic and long-range plans. Serves as technical advisor on particularly complex operational and policy issues that might arise with respect to Departmental mission objectives achieved via contracting. Implements a risk-based approach to review and receive approval of acquisition strategies, plans, and other decision documentation required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation or other policy. Leads enterprise-level acquisition innovation and performance initiatives, which includes analyzing procurement data to identify opportunities for leveraging emerging technologies, optimizing acquisition processes, and achieving cost savings. Exercises responsibility and authority for maximizing the standardization, simplification, reengineering, development, and integration of procurement processes/systems. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National Initial appointments are required to serve a 1-year probationary period Background Investigation required Veteran’s preference is not applicable to the SES If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests Qualifications The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. DO NOT submit separate Executive Core Qualifications/Technical Qualifications in lieu of a resume. 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES using 0.8-inch margins and an 11-point font. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential, not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. All applicants must address the ECQs. Your resume must address each ECQ and should describe your experiences and accomplishments/results. Your resume should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken and the results of your actions. NOTE: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to address the ECQs. 1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. (Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness) 2. Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. (Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology) 3. Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. (Competencies: Technical Skills, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience) 4. Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. (Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement) 5. Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. (Competencies: Operation Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking) For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit SES Executive Core Qualifications. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): In addition to the ECQs, applicants must clearly demonstrate in their resume that they meet the following technical qualification(s). Describe your experience providing oversight of complex, enterprise-wide acquisition programs, including leading high-value procurements; developing and implementing acquisition strategies across a large, functionally and geographically dispersed enterprise to include leading and managing high-dollar acquisitions; and ensuring full compliance with laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars, Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFFP) memorandums, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Describe your experience developing, leading and supervising a high-performing professional acquisition workforce; overseeing pre and post award contracting operations; and effectively and efficiently managing financial responsibilities while concentrating on decreasing wasteful spending. This includes use of innovative acquisition practices; developing the skillsets of acquisition teams; and managing appropriate and reimbursable or Working Capital fund budgets. Education Applicants must meet the following basic requirements in Contracting 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 working 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. and 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. In addition to the above, applicants must provide proof of their Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting. All applicants must provide a copy of your transcripts. Failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Additional information Consideration for competitive selection for this position is open to all persons within the area of consideration who meet the basic qualifications. Race, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religion, marital or family status, disability, and other non-merit factors will not be considered. 1. This position is covered under the post-employment restriction of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). This law also requires the selectee to file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (Standard Form 278), within 30 days of appointment. 2. Applications sent in U.S. Government postage-paid envelope and submitted through Federal Agency courier services will not be considered. 3. The 1993 Hatch Act Reform Amendments prohibit oral and written political recommendations for Federal jobs. 4. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System before they can be employed by an executive agency of the Federal government. This requirement does not apply to Agency employees appointed before November 8, 1985. 5. All application forms are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become the property of USDA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency at 202-260-8128. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office. 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. Benefits 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. 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. 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.