CONTRACT SPECIALIST

SummaryThe purpose of this position is to perform developmental assignments which are designed to provide the employee the application of common contracting methods and contract types, and to assist in the procurement of standard or specialized service; supply; and/or construction items, services, and/or materials primarily through formal advertising, or through limited use of negotiation techniques. The position is centrally managed and funded by the Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center.Learn more about this agencySummaryThe purpose of this position is to perform developmental assignments which are designed to provide the employee the application of common contracting methods and contract types, and to assist in the procurement of standard or specialized service; supply; and/or construction items, services, and/or materials primarily through formal advertising, or through limited use of negotiation techniques. The position is centrally managed and funded by the Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center.Learn more about this agencyOverviewHelpAccepting applicationsOpen & closing dates10/01/2025 to 09/30/2026Salary $49,960 - $64,952 per year Pay scale & grade GS 7LocationsFew vacancies in the following locations:Eielson AFB, AKElmendorf AFB, AKMaxwell AFB, ALLittle Rock AFB, ARShow morefewer locations (68)Davis Monthan AFB, AZLuke AFB, AZBeale AFB, CAEdwards AFB, CALos Angeles, CAMarch AFB, CATravis AFB, CAVandenberg AFB, CAAir Force Academy, COBuckley AFB, COPeterson AFB, COSchriever AFB, COJoint Base Anacostia-Bolling, DCDover AFB, DEEglin AFB, FLHurlburt Field, FLMacDill AFB, FLPatrick AFB, FLTyndall AFB, FLDobbins AFB, GAMoody AFB, GARobins AFB, GAHickam AFB, HIMountain Home AFB, IDScott AFB, ILMcConnell AFB, KSLexington, KYBarksdale AFB, LAHanscom AFB, MAWestover Air Reserve Base, MAAndrews AFB, MDWhiteman AFB, MOColumbus AFB, MSKeesler AFB, MSMalmstrom AFB, MTSeymour Johnson AFB, NCGrand Forks AFB, NDMinot AFB, NDOffutt AFB, NEJoint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJMcGuire AFB, NJCannon AFB, NMHolloman AFB, NMKirtland AFB, NMNellis AFB, NVRome, NYWright-Patterson AFB, OHAltus AFB, OKTinker AFB, OKVance AFB, OKPittsburgh, PACharleston AFB, SCShaw AFB, SCEllsworth AFB, SDArnold AFB, TNDyess AFB, TXFort Sam Houston, TXGoodfellow AFB, TXLackland AFB, TXLaughlin AFB, TXRandolph AFB, TXSheppard AFB, TXHill AFB, UTArlington County, VALangley AFB, VAPentagon, Arlington, VAFairchild AFB, WAWarren AFB, WYRemote job No Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. Relocation expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Full-time Service CompetitivePromotion potential12Job family (Series)* 1102 ContractingSupervisory status No Security clearance Top Secret Drug test Yes Position sensitivity and risk Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High RiskTrust determination process* Suitability/FitnessFinancial disclosure Yes Bargaining unit status YesAnnouncement number Q-26-DHA12794714-1102-07 Control number 846852600This job is open toHelpStudentsCurrent students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.Recent graduatesIndividuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.Clarification from the agencyThis public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.DutiesHelpFollows established procedures to procure off-the-shelf materials, which are available from numerous commercial sources, and are easily identified by common names for which standard price lists are available.Prepares Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP) ensuring that technical descriptions and appropriate contract clauses are included.Assists in monitoring contract performance and assists in contract termination.Provides advice and assistance to others relating to contracting work and prepares correspondence.RequirementsHelpConditions of employmentPlease read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for considerationU.S. Citizenship is requiredMales must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.govIf authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/Total salary varies depending on location of positionPosition may be subject to random drug testingEmployee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidaysShift work and emergency overtime may be requiredEmployee must maintain current certificationsDisclosure of Political AppointmentsStudent Loan Repayment may be authorizedRecruitment Incentive may be authorized for this positionThe employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. Meeting these requirements is a condition of employment and necessary to perform the duties of the positionThe employee must meet the continuing acquisition education requirements IAW DoDI 5000.66 Paragraph E.2.2.8. Meeting these requirements is a condition of employment and necessary to perform the duties of the positionCertain positions and/or rotations require a top secret clearance; therefore, individuals selected for these positions will be required to obtain and maintain a top secret clearance.As part of the clearance individuals may be required to undergo polygraph and drug testing as a condition of employmentYou will be required to serve a one year probationary periodIn accordance with 5 CFR 2634 Part I, the employee may be required to file an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annuallyA security clearance may be requiredMobility - you may be required to relocate during or after completion of your trainingQualificationsBASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:Basic: A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.ORA current member of the Armed Forces (not retired or separated) OR a current DOD employee that meets the following requirements: 1) served as a contracting officer with authority to award or administer in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold on or before 30 September 2000; 2) served, on or before 30 September 2000, in a position as either an employee in the GS-1102 series or as a member of the Armed Forces in a similar occupation specialty; OR, (3) is in the contingency contracting force.In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must have specialized experience:Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GS-05) in one or more of the following: (1) soliciting, evaluating, negotiating, and awarding contracts; (2) administering contracts by assuring compliance with the terms and conditions; (3) terminating contracts by analyzing, negotiating, and settling claims and proposals; (4) analyzing and evaluating cost/price proposals and accounting systems; (5) planning, establishing, or reviewing contracts, programs, policies, or procedures; (6) formulating and administering policies and procedures to insure achievement of socioeconomic goals; (7) developing acquisition strategies and directing or managing procurements; and/or (8) providing functional staff advisory services within the contracting occupation. Duties performed are elementary assignments with strict adherence to clearly detailed and specific instructions or guidelines provided by a higher graded employee. Knowledge required may have been acquired through a pertinent bachelorette educational program or equivalent experience.OREducation: A bachelor's degree with SAA, or equivalent, of study from an accredited institution of higher education in any of the following disciplines: accounting, business finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, and organization and management. Note: Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) based on class standing; grade-point average; or honor society membership. Detailed SAA qualifications are described in OPM Qualification Standard located at this URL: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp. Or I have successfully completed one full year of graduate level education from an accredited university or college or law school. My graduate education includes one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.ORCombination of Education & Experience: Combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.THIS IS AN INDIVDUAL, SINGLE AGENCY QUALIFICATION STANDARD FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE POSITIONS: This standard implements requirements contained in Title 10, United States Code, Sections 1723 through 1733, as amended by Section 861(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92) and implemented on a policy exception basis by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment memorandum, Exception to 24 Semester Hours Requirement for Contracting Positions, effective and dated August 2, 2020.PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.EducationIF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.Additional informationThe Copper Cap Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Copper Cap Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval. This is your opportunity to begin a successful civilian career with the United States Air Force. You must have completed a 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in one of the following:a) Class Standing - upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses in the college, university, or major subdivision;b) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum.c) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position). (If qualifying based on class standing or honor society membership, provide appropriate documentation).If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc., you cannot qualify based on GPA.For Direct Hire (DHA) Positions:These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the Department of Defense for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; these positions may be professional or administrative occupations and are located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on