Demo

Contracting Specialist - Experienced Level (Maryland)

National Security Agency
Fort Meade, MD Full Time
POSTED ON 9/22/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/21/2025
Responsibilities

As an experienced Contracting Specialist at NSA, responsibilities include but are not limited to: - Designing acquisition strategies to meet the government's needs through the most appropriate and efficient contracting method - Conducting market research - The ability to apply Federal and DoD Acquisition concepts, regulations, and statutes (e.g., FAR, DFAR, NSA acquisition directives, policies, and procedures) - The ability to award and administer contracts independently - The ability to understand and apply the principles of cost analysis and the ability to award and administer cost-type contracts - Preparing and issuing Requests for Proposal (RFP) and Requests for Quote (RFQ) - Evaluating proposals from potential contractors/vendors - Negotiating contract terms with selected contractors/vendors - Evaluating procurements to ensure compliance with funding, legal, and program requirements - The ability to oversee a team of Contacting Specialists, some of whom have their own warrant authority - Preparing and awarding contracts with supporting documentation in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR), and internal NSA policy - Administering contracts to include issuing modifications and monitoring performance - Solving complex and unique challenges that arise throughout the life of a contract - Implementing best practices and processes - Communicating program successes and issues with various levels and organizations throughout the Agency, as well as with external customers and contractors Although not required, preferred attributes for this position include: - Current or previously held Contracting Officer Warrant Authority - Experience independently awarding actions using FAR Part 15 - Experience overseeing a team of Contacting Specialists, some of whom have their own warrant authority Additionally, this position requires a DAWIA (Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act) professional certification in Contracting.

Job Summary

Enrich your contracting career as an experienced NSA contracting specialist supporting the protection of our warfighters around the world and enabling operations in our locations across the globe and within the cyber domain!

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. A degree in any field is acceptable. Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 10 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. Relevant experience must include both federal contracting and business management (for example, acquisition, procurement, finance, accounting, and logistics). Additionally, formal or informal leadership experience is required. Relevant experience must also include using email, spreadsheets, and word processing.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule


Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Salary Range: $120,579 - $185,234 Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position. Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience. Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package. Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).


How To Apply - External


Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position. A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. **Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com** U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate.


DCIPS Disclaimer


Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application. Acceptable documentation includes: - DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions; - Certification of Service: A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; OR - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability. You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.

Skills

The ideal candidate for this position is someone with a desire for continuous learning who possesses strong communication (both oral and written) skills, problem-solving abilities, analytic and interpersonal skills, along with extensive experience using the Microsoft office suite. Knowledge and experience in the following areas is strongly desired: - Resourcefulness in finding solutions and identifying efficiencies - Interpersonal skills to develop relationships and establish teams - Demonstrates accountability as an individual and as a leader - Resilience, flexibility, and adaptability to changing priorities and workloads - Ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines without compromising quality or accuracy. - Strong command of Microsoft Office suite of tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

Salary : $120,579 - $185,234

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Contracting Specialist - Experienced Level (Maryland)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Contracting Specialist - Experienced Level (Maryland) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$73,352 - $97,055
Income Estimation: 
$91,406 - $117,952
Income Estimation: 
$95,070 - $132,417
Income Estimation: 
$54,293 - $71,611
Income Estimation: 
$89,596 - $118,665
Income Estimation: 
$61,576 - $80,866
Income Estimation: 
$73,352 - $97,055
Income Estimation: 
$95,070 - $132,417
Income Estimation: 
$91,406 - $117,952
Income Estimation: 
$116,652 - $155,713
Income Estimation: 
$95,070 - $132,417
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at National Security Agency

National Security Agency
Hired Organization Address Fort Meade, MD Full Time
Security and Counterintelligence is responsible for the protection of NSA/CSS information, people and facilities worldwi...
National Security Agency
Hired Organization Address Fort Meade, MD Full Time
Responsibilities The Program Manager Development Program (PMDP) develops individuals who can successfully participate in...
National Security Agency
Hired Organization Address Fort Meade, MD Full Time
Responsibilities Security and Counterintelligence is responsible for the protection of NSA/CSS information, people and f...
National Security Agency
Hired Organization Address Fort Meade, MD Full Time
Responsibilities NSA is seeking Software Engineers to advance a number of high impact systems and teams. Opportunities c...

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Contracting Specialist - Experienced Level (Maryland) jobs in the Fort Meade, MD area that may be a better fit.

Experienced Roofing Technician - Expert Level

Lapota Contracting Inc, Provo, UT

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!