Contract Specialist (DHS Career Expo-JAX)

Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens. The position(s) will be filled through a direct-hire authority. This is a Direct Hire Announcement (DHA) and is being filled under such authority, Veteran preference does NOT apply to DHA.

Serving as a Contract Specialist (DHS Career Expo-JAX) GS-1102-11 makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) team and mission. These positions are located in the Procurement Division (PRO) under the Mission and Readiness Support Directorate (MRSD), in Glynco, GA, Artesia NM and North Charleston, SC.

The primary purpose of this position is to perform pre-award and post-award procurement functions for supplies, equipment, services, and construction needed to complete the mission of the Bureau (FLETC) and the Dept. of Homeland Security and other partnering Agencies. Typical duties include:

• Acquiring supplies, services and construction requirements using applicable procedures from the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and agency regulations as well as associated guidance.
• Preparing and issuing Request for Proposals (RFPs), Invitation for Bids (IFBs), and Requests for Quotations (RFQs); analyzing Purchase Requisitions (PRs) and working with requisitioners to clarify requirements and documentation; coordinating alternate items with requisitioners to determine adequacy.
• Analyzing purchase requisitions (PR's) and work with requisitioners to clarify requirements and documentation, along with requisitioners to determine adequacy.
• Developing negotiation positions and negotiating with contractors; and determining the best overall value to the Government, price and other factors considered.
• Evaluating the proposals/bids or quotations received in response to the solicitations; performing contract administration including preparation of modifications, coordination with requiring activities and vendors on delinquent deliveries, taking appropriate administration action to resolve delivery problems, and providing status to requisitioners and others such as finance or receiving; and assisting in processing of claims and protests.
• Determining the appropriate contracting methods and types to be used and determining the appropriate clauses and provisions to be included in contact actions.
• Assisting requisitioners in preparing adequate requirement documents such as statements of work (SOWs) or Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition; researching and identifying proper mandatory sources of supply as defined in FAR prior to starting solicitation process; and assisting in training requisitioners on documentation requirements and general procurement knowledge that facilitates effective PR processing.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
• This position is eligible for telework based on agency policy. This is NOT a remote position.
• Occasional travel is required.
• Overtime may be required.
• Required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of starting your federal employment and annually thereafter as long as you occupy a position that requires financial disclosure reporting.
• Must meet position requirements for Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional certification within 36 months as of entrance on duty.

Qualifications

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If interested in this position, please email your resume and any other pertinent documents to fletc-jobinfo@fletc.dhs.gov. Please ensure in the subject line you put Contract Specialist, GS-1102-11, FLETC-MRSD/PRO-26-12977677.

You will be required to complete an in-person interview at the DHS Career Expo in Jacksonville, Florida on June 16 & 17, 2026 in order to be considered for this position. You must register for the event at DHS Career Expo. More information about the event may be found at Expo | Homeland Security.
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A resume must be no more than two pages. No more than 2 pages will be accepted and reviewed. (DO NOT put any social media links to include LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. and DO NOT include any pictures of any kind on your resume).For additional assistance, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements

If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed.

Basic Requirements:

A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field. Note: A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is defined as possession of a bachelor's degree conferred or approved by an accredited U.S. college or university based on a 4 year course of study. Simply being enrolled and working toward a degree does not meet the qualification standard. OR

B. 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.

Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position.

AND

In addition to the basic requirements, you must have the following:

For all Contracting Series, 1102 positions at GS-5 through GS-12: Selectee must meet position requirements for Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional certification within 36 months as of entrance on duty.

Note: After September 30, 2023, applicants will need to submit the FAC-C (Professional) or DoD Contracting Professional certifications, or a hiring organization may request a waiver as applicable.

Specialized Experience: You qualify at the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to procuring and administering contracts and orders for supplies, services, equipment and/or construction requirements; performing market analysis, requesting and evaluating Requests for Proposals, Invitation for Bids and Requests for Quotations; and determining appropriate simplified acquisition method and/or contracting method to be used.; OR
• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., OR
• A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify for the GS-11 level. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize 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 disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

Physical Demands: Work is primarily sedentary. Some standing or walking for periods not to exceed 15 minutes and lifting up to 40 pounds may be required. Some travel may be required to attend or provide training or assist in negotiations.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting. Occasional visits to construction or installation sites maybe required. Attendance at meetings in auditoriums or conference centers may be required

How you will be evaluated

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

A resume must be no more than two pages.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Applicants will be evaluated on their total background including experience (paid and unpaid), education, awards, and training and self-development as it relates to the position based upon the information provided in the resume/application and any other supporting documents. All work experience should specify the length of time spent in the position. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that indicates hours per week "varies." List exact hours per week on each job experience.

This notice is issued under the direct-hire authority. Using Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved direct hire authorities, agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provisions of Title 5 U.S.C. 3309 through 3318, for which OPM determines that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need.

Veterans Preference: Veterans preference does not apply under this Direct-Hire Authority (DHA).

If you are qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration, or your score may be lowered.

After FLETC completes its hiring, the resumes of the remaining candidates referred for selection consideration may be shared with other DHS Components and other federal agencies. During the application process, you may choose to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results to be shared. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

1. Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
2. Is education required for this position? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution listing the college/university, degree confirmation date(s) and applicable courses. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. 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. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
3. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
4. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following:
   • A copy of your agency notice,
   • A copy of your most recent performance rating, and
   • A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.

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