Duties

The Purchasing Specialist will serve the National Security Space Institute as the Commandant's primary advisor on all acquisition matters affecting the Institute's academic mission. The NSSI's Purchasing Specialist serves primarily as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). He/she will independently coordinate with the NSSI's contract provider, currently the General Services Administration's (GSA) Denver and Washington offices, to secure, oversee, evaluate, and administer a 90-person, $18M Faculty Support Contract, and a 2-person, $2M Financial Management Support Contract, respectively. A contract-reliant organization, the NSSI currently offers 22 courses to Space Professionals from the US Department of Defense and 56 international partner nations. These courses are offered on Peterson Space Force Base, a contract-provided commercial campus in downtown Colorado Springs, and via distance learning and Mobile Education Teams. The NSSI produced 7,100 graduates in FY23 and is projected to turn out more than 10,000 graduates in 2024. As a contract-dependent organization, effective, efficient, flexible contracts are key to the NSSI's mission success, and the Institute's Purchasing Specialist is a lynchpin in securing and maintaining the contracts that make the NSSI the DoD's center of excellence for space education.

Ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate must have experience working independently as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), directly overseeing contract compliance and performance.

Key Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of acquisition and supply laws, regulations, functions, policies, procedures, techniques and methods sufficient to provide interpretation of policies and procedures.

Knowledge of acquisition functions, operations, procedures, documentation, program requirements, and work methods to review, compile, plan, organize, and research acquisition and supply data, and to prepare or evaluate J&A, SSJ, and UJS documents.

Knowledge of distribution and tracking data systems.

Skill in identifying factors which inhibit competition/commercial item acquisition and providing assistance in determining effective remedies and solutions.

Skill to analyze and review acquisition data (i.e., screening analysis information, issues regarding the data and its availability, market research information, and other pertinent supporting information), to identify trends and problem areas and plan, coordinate, and implement corrective actions.
Organization:

The United States Space Force (USSF) is a military service that organizes, trains, and equips military members and civilians to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and provide space capabilities to the joint force. USSF responsibilities include developing Guardians, acquiring military space systems, maturing the military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces to present to our Combatant Commands (CCMDs).

The strategic importance of space can't be overstated. Political and humanitarian interests as well as commercial concerns vital to the world economy all rely on space-based systems. Launched in 2019 as the nation's sixth and newest military branch, the USSF was created to protect the interests and assets of America and its allies in this heavily contested realm. The Department of Defense relies on satellites and advanced space-based technology for secure communications, navigation, real-time reconnaissance, precision targeting on the battlefield, early warning of potential missile launches, and even weather forecasting. Guardians and civilians of the USSF are challenged every day to reach new heights in protecting and amplifying these space-based capabilities and defending our way of life by maintaining our edge in space.

The Space Force wants to attract talent with the character and potential to excel, empower them with information and choices, and develop them in line with their desires and the Space Force's needs to create a high-performing organization necessary to secure and defend space. Please review the new Guardian Ideal to learn more about the new talent culture within the new U.S. Space Force, as we have a chance to make history and rewrite some of the rules-we hope you are excited about the opportunities this will present!

https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2782534/cso-unveils-guardian-ideal-space-force-values-at-afa/

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• This position has been designated for drug testing. Incumbent is subject to random urinalysis testing as a condition of employment.
• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Work may occasionally require travel away from normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP-SECRET/SCI security clearance.
• This position is eligible for situational telework (2-4 days per pay period).
• PCS and incentives are not authorized.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Resume: You must submit a resume that provides:

  • Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number

  • Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended

  • Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
    • Job title
    • Detailed duties and accomplishments
    • Employer's name and address
    • Supervisor's name and phone number
    • Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
    • Hours per week
    • Salary, if applicable

  • Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses

  College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

  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.

• How to Apply

  To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.

  Agency contact information

  US Space Force Enterprise Talent Management

  Email

  HQ.USSF.TalentAcquisition@spaceforce.mil

  Address

  USSF - United States Space Force Forces
  1670 Space Force Pentagon
  Washington, DC 20330
  US

  Next steps

  For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents