Contract Specialist Job in Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)

Vacancy No. CCLQ-12604687-25-HLS Department Office of the Secretary
Salary $103,409.00 to $158,860.00 Grade 12 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/13/2024 Close Date 11/18/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)


Summary

This position is within one of the regional offices, of Facilities Acquisition, Service Delivery Office, Construction & Facilities Management (CFM), Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

The incumbent serves as a Contract Specialist within on of the regional offices, of Facilities, Acquisition, Service Delivery Office, Construction and Facilities Management (CFM). Provides critical oversight of contract administration for several ongoing and complex design and construction contracts. The office provides direct support functions for fiduciary management of CFMs budgets, contract administration for architectural and engineering services, construction consultants and services, contracts for personal services, continuity of operations, emergency planning and a wide array of administrative programs. The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Oversee payments for completed phases of multi-year contracts, while ensuring established timelines are met.
  • Review complex indefinite quantity contracts for proper funding allocations and timely payments.
  • Study current procedures and conduct comparative analysis on the success of utility contracts.
  • Develop and establish internal performance measures to minimize additional cost from late payments cause by the Department.
  • Provide support to all CFM elements on the regulatory language and requirements for all contracts.
  • Serve as liaison to Commerce Business Daily, the Department of Commerce, and Department of Labor on competitive bid advertising issues and concerns.
  • Troubleshoot problems with data to assure accuracy of information to establish administrative on-site management by Resident Engineers.
  • Provide technical acquisition advise to internal Contracting Officers and Contracting Officers Representatives on advertising timelines, clearances, processes, and contracting language within CFM.
  • Reviews proposed legislation and prepare comments and keeps CFM elements apprised of proposed legislative changes.
  • Serves as the primary technical advisor on contract closeouts.
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Contract Specialist
Compressed/Flexible Work Schedule: May be Available
Telework: Not available
Remote/Virtual: Position is Remote
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Required

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with occasional travel. Extensive oral interaction is required with construction site personnel, private parties, and internal entities requiring oral communication skills.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • May serve a probationary period
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Transcripts are required
  • Current valid Contractor Certification Required (Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Professional or completed Legacy FAC Level 2/3 requirement

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Required: Current valid Contractor Certification Required (Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Professional or completed Legacy FAC Level 2/3. [NOTE: If you are a current/former VA employee, you must have completed at least Legacy FAC Level 2 requirement]. [A copy of your certification must be submitted with your application for consideration].

Basic Requirement for both grades: Bachelor degree with a major in any field. (Transcript required)
OR
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 organizational and management. (Transcript required)You may qualify based on your experience, as described below: You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

Specialized Experience GS-12: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the GS-12 occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: specialized procedures and requirements for formulation, justification and execution of those funds; expert knowledge of the funding processes from formulation through execution for Congressionally appropriated funding; experience with Federal budget processes; experience identifying and analyzing relationships within a budget for the development of annual programming operating plans and experience using financial management systems and other software applications for spreadsheets, word processing, and database management for forecasting and identifying discrepancies. [Evidence of this specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of like duties performed in positions held on your resume]

GS-13 Requirement: Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.

Specialized Experience GS-13: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the GS-13 occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: specialized procedures and requirements for formulation, justification and execution of those funds; expert knowledge of the funding processes from formulation through execution for Congressionally appropriated funding; experience with Federal budget processes; experience identifying and analyzing relationships within a budget for the development of annual programming operating plans and experience using financial management systems and other software applications for spreadsheets, word processing, and database management for forecasting and identifying discrepancies. [Evidence of this specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of like duties performed in positions held on your resume]

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; religions; 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.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online and request information about the Alternate Application process, please contact the Agency Contact listed for this Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA).

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Professional Certification
  • Proof of Marriage Status
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Transcript

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

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

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/18/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12604687.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

VACO OCHO HRSC Recruiting & Staffing Team
Address
Office of Construction and Facilities Management
425 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2024, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements