Duties

Summary

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Acquisition Management, Washington, D.C.

This is a bargaining unit position.

Note: One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• As a Contract Specialist you will perform the following duties:
• Provide advice, analysis, and assistance in the development of Policies, strategies, and work plans
• Provide a full range of contract services for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Acquisition Management (OAQ)
• Serve as Contract Specialist responsible for pre-award and post-award functions
• Update customers and stakeholders on status of contract actions and respond to customer inquiries
• Serve as technical expert and advisor to management, customers, and contractors

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements GS-9 - GS-12

• A.) A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field;

OR

• B.) 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.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE

For the GS-9 Position you must have a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level I - Entry Level certification. For the GS-11/12 positions you must have a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level II - Mid-Level (Intermediate) certification.

Note:

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.
• Graduate Education. To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
• For positions at GS-9 through GS-12, applicants who are qualifying based on experience must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position, in addition to meeting the basic requirements in paragraph A or B, above.
• Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 9 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position.

Minimum Qualifications: In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above you must also meet the following minimum qualifications:

You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:

• Performing developmental and recurring assignments in support of a local operational division;
• Serving as contract specialist responsible for aspects of contracting transactions from initiation of a requirement to assisting in the recommendation of contract award and procuring supplies or services;
• Procuring supplies and services under close supervision to increase the employee's skills, knowledge and experience in acquisition management;
• and Assisting in negotiating price, contract specifications, delivery dates, incentives, and other terms and conditions.

OR

Education: I have successfully completed two (2) full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: I have successfully completed a combination of education and specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement, that when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:

• Providing guidance to technical personnel involved in the development of the statement of work or data requirements;
• Formulating the contracting strategy to be taken that will best satisfy the requirement;
• Assisting in pre-award and/or post-award functions for a variety of supply and service contracts for several activities within an organizational component or within a geographical area;
• and Preparing the solicitation, evaluation of proposals, conducting negotiations, preparation of awards, terminations, and contract administration through contract closeout.

OR

Education: I have successfully completed three (3) full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: I have successfully completed a combination of education and specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement, that when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:

• Being responsible for price/cost analysis, negotiation, and administration for services, materials, and equipment associated with research, development, testing, evaluation, and/or production activities of one or more organizations;
• Serving as the technical expert and advisor to management, customers, and contractors for assigned procurement area;
• Reviewing requests for the procurement of complex supplies and services;
• and Analyzing the requirement, recommending revisions to the statement of work or specifications, as necessary, and deciding on the type of contract, milestones, and procurement plan.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

See Basic Requirements under Qualifications.

Additional information

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

E-Verify: DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities.

Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment , and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Veterans , Peace Corps / VISTA volunteers , and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Attention to Detail
• Contracting/Procurement
• Cost Estimation and Analysis
• Negotiation
• Oral Communication
• Writing
• Planning and Evaluating

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. The "Rule of Three", Category Rating and Veterans Preference will not apply to this vacancy. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet .

Veterans: Although the Direct Hire Authority permits hiring without regard to Veterans Preference, applicants who are eligible for Veterans Preference are still encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). This position is not considered scientific/professional. View information on veterans' preference .

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

Resume showing relevant experience, education and training. Work experience should include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor.

Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

Are you a veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide documentation that demonstrates preference eligibility. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information .

Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP)? If so, submit a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.

Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.

Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), agency and beginning and ending dates of appointment.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.