Skip to main content

This job has expired

Contract Specialist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Oct 26, 2020
Duties

Summary

Direct Hire Authority: This position 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.

All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO), Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL), Washington, District of Columbia.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a non-operational contract specialist serving the role of PIL Coach. The primary responsibility of the PIL Coach is to provide support, resources and encouragement to procurement teams across DHS component agencies as they implement innovative procurement techniques designed to improve the efficiency and outcomes of the procurement process.

Duties performed:
  • Serve as a primary procurement innovation coach regarding a variety of extensive acquisition functions that encompass the planning, execution, administration, and termination of complex contracts using formal advertising or negotiation procedures.
  • Coach and train acquisition professionals and procurement teams in innovative contract methods to be used and develop the unique/complex terms and conditions of the solicitation to achieve intended outcomes.
  • Ensure all actions have been taken to safeguard the interests of DHS in its contractual relationships, and are in accordance with law, executive orders, regulations and other applicable procedures.
  • Provide guidance to lower-graded procurement innovation coaches, contract specialists, program offices, field offices and user functions regarding all aspects of Department procurements.
  • Support the organizational learning culture by collecting and sharing outcomes of the innovative procurement techniques tested by procurement teams and developing and delivering training in a variety of settings and platforms.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel 1-5 nights/month for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
  • One-year probationary period may be required.
  • This is a Drug Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is covered by the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Drug-Free Workplace Program. Selectee is required to sign a Condition of Employment form (for certain positions identified as critical under the drug testing program) and must pass urinalysis testing, as required prior to appointment, reassignment, or transfer, and employee will be subject to random testing while employed with the Department in a TDP.
  • 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.
  • DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • License required: No
  • Pre-employment physical required: No
  • Bargaining Unit Position: No
  • Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Certification: This acquisition position requires DHS Level II certification. DHS adheres to the mandatory training prescribed in Department of Homeland Security Management Directive System MD Number 0782. Assignment to acquisition positions requires that the candidate possess the certification standards of the position within 18 months of being assigned to a position to which certification standards apply.


Qualifications

GS-12: To qualify for the GS-12 position, applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirement AND Specialized Experience as noted below.

Basic Requirement: You must meet one of the items listed below (A, B, or C):
A. I have successfully completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field from an accredited college or university. Note: Transcripts (official or unofficial) must be submitted to support claim.
B. I have completed 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. Note: Transcripts (official or unofficial) must be submitted to support claim.
C. I qualify as an exception. 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 5 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. Note: SF-50(s) must be submitted to support claim.

AND

Specialized Experience:
GS-12: Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service that included:
  • Administering contract awards in accordance with applicable procurement laws and regulations.
  • Participating in the planning, solicitation and negotiation of procurements to solicit and award contracts as part of a cross-functional procurement team.
  • Testing new methods of soliciting and evaluating proposals, and sharing the outcomes with other acquisition professionals.

GS-13: To qualify for the GS-13 position, applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirement AND Specialized Experience as noted below.

Basic Requirement: You must meet one of the items listed below (A, B, or C):
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 of experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work 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 completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, 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. Note: Transcripts (official or unofficial) must be submitted to support claim.
B. I qualify as an Exception: 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, unless granted a waiver (see Job Announcement). Note: SF-50(s) must be submitted to support claim.
C. I wish to be considered for a possible waiver based on my demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and professional level contracting experience. *When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

AND

Specialized Experience:

GS-13: Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service that included:
  • Applying current acquisition policies and/or guidance to the procurement of supplies and services.
  • Providing technical guidance and direction to junior specialists completing acquisition work.
  • Collaborating with the procurement team to identify innovative contract methods and unique terms and conditions in the solicitation and negotiation of acquisitions.

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

NOTE:
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.

Certification: This acquisition position requires DHS Level II certification. DHS adheres to the mandatory training prescribed in Department of Homeland Security Management Directive System MD Number 0782. Assignment to acquisition positions requires that the candidate possess the certification standards of the position within 18 months of being assigned to a position to which certification standards apply.

Education

This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ .

Additional information

Note: DHS continues to take necessary steps to keep our workforce safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this Special-Sensitive position. This review includes 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.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

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.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/ ).

This is a Drug Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is covered by the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Drug-Free Workplace Program. The incumbent is required to sign a Condition of Employment form (for certain positions identified as critical under the drug testing program) and must pass urinalysis testing, as required prior to appointment, reassignment, or transfer, and employee will be subject to random

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

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: Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, 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). View information on veterans' preference .

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you are qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10907166

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed.
2. Other supporting documents ( only submit if applicable to you) :
  • Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed.
  • Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit:
    • A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
    • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
    • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
    • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
  • 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.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert