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Federal Highway Administration is Hiring a Contract Specialist - DIRECT HIRE Near Ashburn, VA

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Individual Occupational Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet the additional grade level requirements.

(1) All applicants must meet the basic requirements to qualify for applying to a position under series 1102:

BASIC MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-11-12:

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.

Graduate Education: To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of 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.

Note:  For positions at GS-07 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 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.

For additional reference, refer to the OPM qualifications standard for GS-1102: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/

(2) Upload the appropriate document(s) to your application for verification purposes.

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of the closing date of this announcement. If selected, the final transcript must be received before your start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

(3) Specialized Experience: To further determine eligibility, review the following grade specific details. You will be asked a few questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet these grade levels in your resume. 

For the GS-11: You qualify for this grade level if you meet one of the following:

 On Experience, at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level, which included:

• Experience using procurement regulations and a variety of contracting procedures for pre-award or post-award phases, such as in the procurement of supplies, services or equipment; AND
• Experience providing technical assistance to staff and management.

On Education, you must have:

• 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
• Or, you can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

For the GS-12: You qualify for this grade level if you have at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, which included:

• Experience providing guidance to technical personnel in the development and formulation of contracting approaches; AND
• Experience with a range of contracting methods and contract types, including formally advertised acquisitions and negotiated acquisitions; AND
• Experience procuring specialized services, such as architectural and engineering services.

You cannot qualify on education at grade 12, you must have specialized experience. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following area:

1. Contracting/Procurement - Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques, or requirements (for example, Federal Acquisitions Regulations) for contracting or procurement, and contract negotiation and administration.
2. Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
3. Oral Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
4. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

For all types of consideration, 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. 

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of the closing date of this announcement. If selected, the final transcript must be received before your start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Responsibilities:

As a Contract Specialist, you will:

• Be responsible for a variety of firm fixed price and costs contracts which frequently require special handling provisions or other specialized terms and conditions and serves as a contract specialist for pre-award and/or post-award functions for a variety of contracts within the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division.
• Provide guidance to technical personnel involved in the development of the statement of work and formulate the contracting approach to be taken that will best satisfy the requirements.
• Perform and/or ensure that the bid schedule is properly structured; prepare solicitations, obtaining necessary approvals; and determine responsiveness and responsibility.
• Conduct pre-award surveys; recommend or determine sources to be solicited; conduct or oversee pre-bid conferences; and recommend and prepare contracts for award.
• Monitor contractor performance, cost controls, funds management, and adherence to contract completion schedules; expedite delivery or performance when required by mission changes; and prepare and issue change orders occasioned by changes in mission requirements or defective specifications.
• Negotiate settlements for changes and approve or recommend approval processes contract payments including fee payments and assessment of liquidated or actual damages for nonperformance; prepare or take action on requests for consideration; issue show cause or cure notices; recommend and prepare contracts for terminations of default or convenience and negotiate the final settlements; and prepare correspondence and replies to the customer and other agencies.

The ideal candidate for this position has the ability to communicate orally and in writing regarding acquisition issues. Must be able to work well in a team environment and perform searches on acquisition issues and concerns to develop best / worst case scenarios so that the best acquisition strategy could be used. This candidate also has the ability to work without close supervision, but also has the foresight to ask for advice in a tough acquisition situation.

RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE MAY BE OFFERED TO SELECTEE OF THIS POSITION

Job Summary