Contract Specialist (Early Career - Procurement)

Who we are looking for Strong candidates may bring experience through school, internships, work, military service, volunteer service, apprenticeships, community activities, or other relevant settings. Applicants do not need a linear background or a single type of experience. Relevant experience may be paid or unpaid and may come from academic, community, technical, service, or professional settings. Strong candidates may demonstrate: Clear written and verbal communication. Sound judgment, reliability, and attention to detail. Comfort learning new systems, tools, and processes. Interest in public service and improving how government works. Ability to work with data, documents, collaboration tools, and digital systems. Responsible use of modern digital tools, including approved AI-enabled tools where appropriate to the role. Basic requirement Contract Specialist (1102 series) positions also require one of the following: a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; completion of at least 24 semester hours in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; or Federal employees in Contracting Series (1102) positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Transcripts or SF-50s must be submitted; AND Grade-specific requirements In addition to the Basic Requirement, applicants must also meet Minimum Qualifications for the grade level(s) for which they are applying. GS-7 Applicants may qualify at the GS-7 level based on one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level that demonstrates at least three of the following: Reviewing technical or administrative documents to ensure they are complete and accurate. Applying regulations, procedural manuals, or policy guidance to support recommendations. Preparing written materials such as reports, summaries, memoranda, correspondence, or instructions, or conducting background research to present information clearly. Reviewing data for accuracy to identify discrepancies or recommend workflow improvements; OR One full year of graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; OR Superior Academic Achievement: A bachelor's degree, AND meet one of the following: Grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all undergraduate coursework or courses completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Class standing in the upper one-third of your graduating class, college, university, or major subdivision. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies; OR A combination of qualifying education and experience. If you have some qualifying education and some qualifying experience, but don't fully meet either requirement on its own, you may be able to combine them. Only graduate education can be used in this calculation. Experience must be reflected in your resume, and transcripts are required. Divide your qualifying graduate semester hours by 18. That gives you your education percentage. Divide your months of qualifying experience by 12. That gives you your experience percentage. Add the two together. If the total is 100% or more, you qualify. GS-9 Applicants may qualify at the GS-9 level based on one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level that demonstrates at least three of the following: Analyzing contract materials, technical specifications, or financial statements to support acquisition-related documentation. Reviewing contract proposals for pricing, technical capability, or adherence to specifications to inform award decisions. Preparing reports, summaries, memoranda, correspondence, instructions, or background research to support procurement or operational decisions. Responding to inquiries to provide business or administrative recommendations; OR Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or a master's, LL.B., or J.D. in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; OR A combination of qualifying education and experience. If you have some qualifying education and some qualifying experience, but don't fully meet either requirement on its own, you may be able to combine them. Only graduate education in excess of one year (18 semester hours or equivalent) can be used in this calculation. Experience must be reflected in your resume, and transcripts are required. Divide your qualifying graduate semester hours beyond the first 18 by 18. That gives you your education percentage. Divide your months of qualifying experience by 12. That gives you your experience percentage. Add the two together. If the total is 100% or more, you qualify. GS-11 Applicants may qualify at the GS-11 level based on one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level that demonstrates at least three of the following: Preparing or reviewing solicitation, award, contract administration, or closeout materials to support acquisition actions. Analyzing contract proposals, pricing, technical capability, or compliance information to support award or administration decisions. Conducting market research or supplier analysis to support acquisition planning or recommendations. Monitoring contractor performance, deliverables, reports, or related issues to recommend next steps; OR Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or a Ph.D., LL.M., or equivalent doctoral degree in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; OR A combination of qualifying education and experience. If you have some qualifying education and some qualifying experience, but don't fully meet either requirement on its own, you may be able to combine them. Only graduate education in excess of two years (36 semester hours or equivalent) can be used in this calculation. Experience must be reflected in your resume, and transcripts are required. Divide your qualifying graduate semester hours beyond the first 36 by 18. That gives you your education percentage. Divide your months of qualifying experience by 12. That gives you your experience percentage. Add the two together. If the total is 100% or more, you qualify. ???????Experience may include paid or unpaid work, including internships, volunteer service, student leadership, military service, apprenticeships, or other relevant activities. Resumes must clearly describe duties, dates, and hours worked per week. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? Your Federal position at the time you were displaced must be within the local commuting area for a location that a hiring agency plans to fill from this announcement. The definition of local commuting area varies based on duty location and hiring agency policy. To receive priority consideration, you must also be found well-qualified, which means you score 85 or higher based on this announcement's assessment rating criteria. As a Contract Specialist or early-career professional in a similar role, you may contribute to the acquisition of supplies, services, equipment, and other resources agencies need to deliver their missions. Your work may include market research, solicitation support, proposal review, contract documentation, contractor performance tracking, customer support, and acquisition process improvement.