Contract Specialist, GS-1102-14

Duties You will serve as a senior contract specialist/contracting officer with complete responsibility to plan and recommend for execution all contractual actions and phases for assigned projects.
Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.
Typical work assignments include: Serves as a senior advisor, consultant and liaison to top management officials, policy makers, and non-governmental organizations and institutions on challenging, new developments in contracting/procurement initiatives.
Manages acquisitions involving diverse areas such as major acquisitions, state-of-the-art systems and subsystems, engineering and technical support services.
Negotiates most acquisitions, employing a variety of contract types, such as: cost reimbursement, incentive, indefinite delivery, and firm fixed price.
Directs the full range of contract actions required to support the program office from project initiation to contract close-out, requiring the incumbent to analyze requirements, recommend revisions to the statement of work or specifications, determine appropriate contract type, establish procurement milestones, and prepare acquisition plans.
Exercises significant responsibilities in dealing with officials of other units or organizations, and in advising management officials of higher rank regarding contracting issues.
Works closely with Program Office leadership to ensure Command priorities are understood and reflected in acquisition strategies.
Provides business advice to Command leadership on a myriad of issues related to acquisition strategies, protest concerns, socio-economic small business concerns, etc.
Develops partnerships and relationships with counterparts at other DoD Service Components and Commands.
Collaborates with other government agencies and support development of interagency agreements (e.
g.
, IAAs, MOAs, MOUs).
Prepares and presents informational, status and decision briefings to colleagues and senior leadership within CG-91, and Program Offices concerning ongoing or planned acquisitions, protest concerns, information gleaned from other federal agencies, and/or significant policy updates, where briefings may be provided in person, virtual settings and/or e-mail communications and may be presented via PowerPoint or other communication methods.
Conducts in-depth compliance reviews and evaluation of complex, unusual, or unprecedented contract actions requiring higher-level approval.
Reviews contracts and solicitations for appropriate contract type, pricing and other contract provisions, selection of source, acquisition method, determinations and findings, documentation, clarity of contract terms, and propriety of cited funds.
Requirements Conditions of Employment U.
S.
Citizenship is required.
Unofficial Transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.
This position requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI).
You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Must be able to obtain/maintain an Unlimited Contracting Officer's Warrant.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Qualifications For the GS-1102-14 positions: You must meet all three requirements listed below; unless you are covered by an exception: 1) Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field, that included or was supplemented by 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.
NOTE: The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) does not grant Academic degrees; therefore courses completed at the DAU are not creditable towards meeting the 24 semester hour requirement, in the fields identified above, unless the coursework has been evaluated by an accredited institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education, and appears on a college or university transcript.
AND 2) Completion of at least 4-years of experience in a contracting or related position, 1 year of which was directly related experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service.
Directly related experience must have involved the application of procurement and contracting principles, laws, regulations and procedures in planning, developing, implementing, and maintaining all aspects of the administration of one or more major systems contracts; applying knowledge of a procurement functional area sufficient to provide expert technical leadership, staff coordination, and consultation; formulating guidelines, implementing new developments, and providing policy interpretation; performing in-depth evaluations of the financial and technical capabilities, or the performance, of the contractor; planning and conducting on-site training to improve overall acquisition functions; coordinating the implementation of financial management business processes that impact contract operations; and assisting in the implementation of policies, programs and services related to acquisition information technology systems.
EXCEPTIONS TO QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants who have been in a GS-1102 position, at or above the GS-13 level, since January 1, 2000 without a break in service only need to meet the 1-year of directly related experience in order to qualify.
The educational, training and additional years of contracting experience requirements do not apply to these individuals.
AND 3) Training refers to the May 7, 2014, Memorandum on Revisions to the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
Applicants must meet the FAC-C requirements and be certified at Level III at the time of application.
Possession of certification must be indicated as part of application submission.
Applicants not certified may still apply and be selected, but must achieve certification within 24 months of appointment.
A valid Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification is equivalent to a FAC-C at the same certification level, provided the FAC-C education and continuous learning requirements have been met.
Certification requirements may be viewed at click here.
NOTE: The agency may obtain a waiver for any individual not meeting the training requirements.
The Coast Guard Head of the Contracting Activity must obtain the waiver from the DHS Chief Procurement Officer prior to the extension of an employment offer.
NOTE: If you are currently employed with an agency other than DHS and seeking a lateral transfer AND you were promoted to an 1102 position at or above the GS-13 level (or equivalent) after 12/31/99 based on a waiver of the agency's training requirements, you will need to be approved for another training waiver before you can be hired into a GS-1102 position at or above the GS-13 level with DHS.
If you were hired into your current GS-1102-13 or higher level position, with a non-DHS agency, based on an educational waiver, you will still have to meet the educational requirements stated in Qualification Requirements #1.
In addition to meeting the basic requirements above: Applicants must possess at least one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the federal service.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line work.
Examples of specialized experience include: 1) applying experience, judgment, initiative and resourcefulness to interpret and apply guidelines and to develop and implement solutions to critical problems that are unique and outside the scope of the written guidelines.
This includes recommending and/or developing new policies, procedures and guidelines; 2) developing and implementing contracting plans which include highly specialized, state-of-the-art supplies, services, equipment, materials, and systems; 3) resolving critical contract and procurement problems, developing new approaches for use by other contract specialists or new tactics/procedures for planning, negotiating, awarding, administering and/or settling the termination of major procurements; 4) executing critical and time sensitive procurements for acquisition of supplies, services, and systems required to ensure operational effectiveness of agency missions, requiring negotiation of long-term contracts; and 5) coordinating the efforts of various subject matter specialists engaged in the procurement (e.
g.
, engineers, program officials, budget staff, legal advisors, auditors, logistics management specialists, and cost/price analysts National Service Experience (i.
e.
, volunteer experience): 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.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorized employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must discuss this information to the Human Resources Office.
Education This position has a positive education requirement.
If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of education.
See Required Documents section for detail.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States.
It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application.
See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here Additional information Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made.
Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.
False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment.
DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at click here Recruitment incentives may be authorized.
All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.
3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.
707.
Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission.
If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.
To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 202-795-6307.
Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Visit Reasonable Accommodation 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.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(K)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.
DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and development opportunities.
For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “Benefits”.
Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirement for this position will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
The necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform this job are: Knowledge of contracting principles, laws, regulations and procedures applicable to pre-award and/or post award actions.
Skill in procuring and/or administering contracts for major development, testing, and/or production.
Knowledge of a procurement functional area sufficient to provide expert technical leadership, staff coordination, and consultation including responsibility for formulating guidelines, implementing new developments and providing policy interpretation.
Ability to use business strategies in performing or directing in-depth evaluations of the financial and technical capabilities, or the performance, of the contractor.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
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.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(K)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.
DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and development opportunities.
For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “Benefits”.
Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
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.
1.
Your resume 2.
If you are claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), submit a copy of your agency notice, most recent performance rating and most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level and duty location.
If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible.
To be considered eligible, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position.
Please see ICTAP eligibility.
3.
OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees.
If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information.
Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50.
Please see here.
All documentation as outlined above must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
If you are unable to submit your documents electronically, you may fax or mail the documents.
A fax cover sheet will be provided to you from the system, with fax number and instructions to transmit the requested documents.
The required documents will also be accepted by mail and must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
The mailing address is COMMANDANT (CG-123HQ), ATTN OFFICE OF CIVILIAN HUMAN RESOURCES (JOBS), US COAST GUARD, 2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE STOP 7912, WASHINGTON, DC 20593-7912.
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 Complete applications for this vacancy must be received on-line by 11:59 p.
m.
ET on the closing date of the announcement.
To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign in to USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire and submit the required documents to provide proof of qualifications.
If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you will be required to submit proof.
See Required Documents section for more detail regarding a complete application package.
High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume and/or supporting documents may impact you or eliminate you from consideration.
If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214.
In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement.
The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin.
Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members’ military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters.
Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation.
Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.
If applying on-line poses a hardship to you, the Help Desk listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date.
You must contact the Help Desk prior to the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.
m.
to 7:00 p.
m.
ET, excluding Federal holidays.
Agency contact information USCG Applicant Support Phone 866-656-6830 Fax 000-000-0000 Email mgshelp@monster.
com Address United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.
Ave SE STOP 7120 Washington, District of Columbia 20593 United States Next steps If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging the receipt of your application.
USAJOBS no longer provides application status updates automatically.
To check the status of your application, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Track this Application".
NOTE: Selectee(s) must be available to report to duty within 120 calendar days of the closing date of the announcement.
For more information on applying for federal employment click here.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.
S.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.
S.
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring.
These authorities are subject to change.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
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 1.
Your resume 2.
If you are claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), submit a copy of your agency notice, most recent performance rating and most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level and duty location.
If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible.
To be considered eligible, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position.
Please see ICTAP eligibility.
3.
OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees.
If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information.
Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50.
Please see here.
All documentation as outlined above must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
If you are unable to submit your documents electronically, you may fax or mail the documents.
A fax cover sheet will be provided to you from the system, with fax number and instructions to transmit the requested documents.
The required documents will also be accepted by mail and must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
The mailing address is COMMANDANT (CG-123HQ), ATTN OFFICE OF CIVILIAN HUMAN RESOURCES (JOBS), US COAST GUARD, 2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE STOP 7912, WASHINGTON, DC 20593-7912.
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.
Help This job is open to The public U.
S.
Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.
S.
Clarification from the agency U.
S.
Citizens.
Subject position(s) will be filled through Expedited Hire Authority.
All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for further consideration.
The “Rule of Three”, Category Rating, Veterans Preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.