Duties

Summary

As a Small Business Specialist, you will advise a variety of business organizations throughout the region area you service business programs and initiatives.

This position is located in the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Small Business Utilization (OSBU) in Washington, DC.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Advocates federal government-wide compliance with all federal laws, regulations, and policies designed to maximize the participation of all designated small business categories in the federal marketplace.
• Advocates training of the federal procurement workforce and community in the principles and methodologies to maximize small business utilization.
• Serves as expert advisor to GSA contracting officer's prime contractors and subcontractors to ensure compliance with subcontracting plans and procedures.
• Reviews and coordinates with the local Small Business Administration (SBA) Procurement Center Representative (PCR) the required subcontracting plans and monitors the accuracy and timeliness of submission of those plans.
• Provides technical assistance to SBA PCR in their duties and functions relation to sections 8 and 15 of the Small Business Act and other related acquisition and small business regulations as per Public Law 95-507.
• Provides support to the Regional Administrator, Regional Commissioners, and Regional Senior Procurement Preference Program goals established for the Region and to ensure every contracting office is striving to meet its assigned goals.
• Plans, conducts, promotes, and participates in numerous outreach events sponsored by GSA, Congressional or gubernatorial offices, other Federal agencies, states, cities, countries, professional and trade organizations, and chambers of commerce to promote and advance the small business programs.
• Serves as the point of contact for the small business community.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel maybe required to attend job related training, events, and/or conferences.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13 - Position is at Full Performance Level

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
• Direct Deposit of salary check to financial organization required.

• Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
• Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security's e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here .

The GS-13 salary range starts at $103,690.00per year.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is: researching, interpreting and applying federal regulations to procurement actions, providing assistance to businesses or other stakeholders in the Federal procurement/contracting process, and the development of educational materials to targeted audience of professionals. Examples of such experience include: demonstrable experience of participating in procurement process (developing requirements for statements of work, program management, contracting actions such as participating in acquisition planning, contract administration or closeout) developing educational materials to promote the sales of goods and services of to a government organization; organizing networking events; developing and presenting workshops or other educational materials to assist small, minority, and disadvantage businesses in dealing with a Federal agency, or comparable entity.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Bargaining Unit status: Non-applicable

Relocation Not Paid

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

Travel expenses associated with interviews may be approved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

• Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government
• Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior non-Federal work experience or uniformed service experience.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area, as needed; through other means; or not at all.

This is not a full-time telework position. The selectee will be expected to report to the duty location stated in this announcement.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

You will be evaluated on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your overall possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities. Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.

1. Knowledge and skill required to interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws and agency procurement policies, regulations, and procedures which affect the operation of and services offered through the Regional Office of Small Business Utilization.

1a. Knowledge of contracting procedures and methods to identify contractual opportunities for small business.

2. Ability to clearly explain procedures, standard bid and contract language, subcontracting plans and procedures, the types of methods used.     

3. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to develop and promote public and community interest in the small business programs.

3a. Ability to interact with a variety of public information media, to effectively explain and promote GSA business, contracting, and procurement systems.

4. Ability to plan, arrange, and conduct conferences, workshops, and other small business outreach efforts, and measure results.

4a. Ability to deal effectively with, counsel, and advise individuals and representatives of business concerns and contractors seeking to do business with GSA or seeking to obtain information about applicable Government policies and procedures.   

Additional assessments may be used, and, if so, you will be provided with further instructions.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA's Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP) , you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit. Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable. Such document(s) must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency. If you are a GSA employee (except in the OIG), you are not required to submit an SF-50.

• If you are a 30% or more disabled veteran, VEOA or VRA applicant or qualified spouse, widow/widower, or parent:
• Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows the dates of your active duty service. If selected, a DD-214 showing your type of discharge (member 4 copy) will be required prior to appointment.
• If you are a disabled veteran, or are applying under VRA or VEOA as a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran, submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (1)completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
• If you are active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
• If you are a current Federal employee or Reinstatement Eligible: Submit your latest SF-50.
• If you are eligible under an Interchange Agreement: Submit your latest SF-50.
• If you are a former Peace Corp or VISTA volunteer: Submit your Description of Service.
• If you are a current or former Land Management Agency Employee - Submit a and b:
• one or more SF-50s, including your most recent one that shows you were on a competitive time-limited appointment(s) with a Land Management Agency and served on the appointment for a period(s) totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years.
• Copy of your agency's annual performance appraisal(s) or written reference(s) from a supervisor at the agency verifying satisfactory performance during your appointment(s).
• If you have a disability: Submit proof of eligibility. For information on eligibility and required documentation, refer to USAJOBS's People With Disabilities page.
• If you are applying under another special appointment authority: Submit proof of your eligibility under the appropriate appointment authority. See USAJOBS's Resource Center for more information.
• If you are ICTAP / CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
• Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.
• College transcripts: If you are using some or all of your college education to meet qualification requirements for this position, you must submit a photocopy of your college transcript(s). If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.

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.