Contract Specialist

Summary

The purpose of this position is to perform developmental assignments which are designed to provide the employee the application of common contracting methods and contract types, and to assist in the procurement of standard or specialized service; supply; and/or construction items, services, and/or materials primarily through formal advertising, or through limited use of negotiation techniques. The position is centrally managed and funded by the Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center.

Duties

Plans acquisitions for standard or specialized services, programs, commodities and/or construction contracts where specifications are standardized or not standardized where sole source or competitive markets exist. Develops solicitations, evaluates responses, and makes award recommendations. Monitors contract performance and performs contract administration. Provides advice and assistance to others relating to contracting work and prepares correspondence. Qualifications

Direct Hire (DHA) Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the Department of Defense for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; these positions may be professional or administrative occupations and are located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location. *** The term "Current post-secondary student" means a person who is currently enrolled in, and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is making satisfactory progress toward receipt of a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least one year of the program. *** The term "recent graduate" means a person who was awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than two years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than four years. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:Master degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. OR A current member of the Armed Forces (not retired or separated) OR a current DOD employee that meets the following requirements: 1) served as a contracting officer with authority to award or administer contracts in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold on or before 30 September 2000; 2) served, on or before 30 September 2000, in a position as either an employee in the GS-1102 series or as a member of the Armed Forces in a similar occupation specialty; OR 3) is in the contingency contracting force. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: 1. You must have completed two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D. (Submit copy of transcripts). 2. You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-07 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities, to successfully perform the duties of the position and must demonstrate the following: Knowledge of commonly used contracting methods and contract types for contract actions that are well-defined and well-precedented; of directly applicable Federal contracting laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; of business practices and market conditions as they relate to program and technical requirements to assist customers in developing requirements and to evaluate proposal responsiveness, contractor responsibility, and contractor performance. THIS IS AN INDIVDUAL, SINGLE AGENCY QUALIFICATION STANDARD FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE POSITIONS: This standard implements requirements contained in Title 10, United States Code, Sections 1723 through 1733, as amended by Section 861(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92) and implemented on a policy exception basis by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment memorandum, Exception to 24 Semester Hours Requirement for Contracting Positions, effective and dated August 2, 2020. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. To receive further consideration, YOU MUST log in to https://afciviliancareers.com/paq-contracting/ and select the "Apply Now" button near the bottom. Applicants will be evaluated based on the materials and assessments required for the position. This may include: Responses to the Hire Vue interview Hire Vue assessments Review of transcripts and supporting documents Resume review If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be placed into one of three pre-defined quality categories based on your application. These categories are Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Your qualifications will be evaluated on competencies including, but not limited to: Communication Willingness to learn Problem Solving Planning and Prioritization Cognitive Ability Conscientiousness Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher. Application questionnaire: Applicants must complete a questionnaire as part of the application process. To preview the Application Questionnaire, click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13045647 Online assessments: Applicants must complete the HireVue assessment measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessments include general scenarios addressing the underlying competencies required for this position. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment in HireVue. Applicants who complete the online assessments will move on to the next phase of the assessment process. Resume review: HR Specialists will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on specialized experience. Resumes submitted for Federal positions may not exceed two pages. HR will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume). Applicants passing the resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further. For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here. Other Information

The Copper Cap Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Copper Cap Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval. This is your opportunity to begin a successful civilian career with the United States Air Force. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated in the "Highly Qualified" or "Best Qualified" Category on the rating criteria for this vacancy. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. 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 GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information. General Schedule Salary Table for "Rest of US" (RUS) was used, salaries may vary dependent upon location selected. Please refer to the Salary Tables link for more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2026/RUS.pdf If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.