Contract Specialist

Who May Apply: US Citizens

This vacancy is a career ladder position being filled at the GS-07 and/or GS-09 and/or GS-11 level. Noncompetitive promotion to the full performance level GS-11 is authorized without further competition when selectee is eligible & recommended by management.

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 a Contract Specialist:

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:

Qualifications for GS-07:
Specialized Experience required for GS-07: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Assisting with contract reviews for accuracy and compliance; and 2) Assisting with contract negotiations to meet program requirements. 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, Business, Communications, Computers and Math, Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Languages and Humanities, Education, or Healthcare Administration.

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. 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/).

Qualifications for GS-09:
Specialized Experience required for GS-09: One year of specialized experience which includes:1) Formulating a negotiation strategy for the procurement of goods; and 2) Applying contracting principles to administer contracts; and 3) Utilizing automated systems to access and analyze reports to track timelines and/or payment schedules. 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, contracting, purchasing, economics or organization and management..

Qualifications for GS-11:
Specialized Experience required for GS-11:One year of specialized experience which includes:1) Reviewing contracts for accuracy in accordance with policy; and 2) Analyzing contract data to identify procurement issues and recommend corrective action; and 3) Developing procurement plans and/or packages to meet the needs of the organization. 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, contracting, purchasing, economics or organization and management.