Clarification from the agency

U.S. Department of State CTAP employees.

• Manages acquisition and procurement support services by reviewing requests for goods and services, ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Department policies, and coordinating procurement strategies with contracting officials.
• Serves as Contracting Officer Representative and monitors contractor performance, reviews statements of work and task orders, tracks funding and performance periods, and ensures contractor services meet federal and Department standards.
• Analyzes administrative support programs and evaluates acquisition processes and general services operations while recommending improvements to policies, procedures, and resource use to increase efficiency and program effectiveness.
• Administers billing and funds management activities through reviewing and processing vendor invoices, maintaining procurement and billing records in the Integrated Logistics Management System, and resolving invoice discrepancies with vendors.
• Coordinates administrative operations and continuity planning while managing travel authorizations, office logistics, and supporting continuity of operations planning and emergency preparedness activities.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Statement of Employment & Financial Interest required prior to appointment.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. 

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided you with knowledge of the methods and procedures for providing or performing a variety of functions and services applicable to the position to be filled; ability to plan, organize, and control work involving diverse activities; ability to gain cooperation and coordinate the work of others; and skill in oral and written communication.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Management analyst or technician or other work that included study, analysis, or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of managerial or administrative policies, practices, and procedures.
• Administrative officer or assistant, budget administration, program analysis, or other work that demonstrated knowledge of an organization and its functions, and the ways in which support services can facilitate the work of the organization.
• Office management experience that included responsibility for directing a variety of support services such as typing, mail processing, purchase of supplies and equipment, etc.
• Secretarial work that required monitoring and coordinating administrative and processing work of subordinate elements through a system of internal procedures, controls, production, progress reporting, etc., to insure the efficient operation of an organization.
• Military experience that included responsibility for directing a variety of support functions such as communications, property management, mail service, facilities and equipment maintenance, etc.

In addition, qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience serving as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) managing acquisition and contract activities in support of senior-level diplomatic engagements, including ministerial-level activities.
• Experience coordinating administrative operations and developing procedures to support State Department protocol functions and ministerial-level events involving senior U.S. Government and foreign officials.
• Experience managing logistics, property, and resource coordination, including direct work with Department of State Office of Protocol, including direct support to ministerial engagements or high-level diplomatic events.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume limited to two pages will be conducted and evaluated by an HR specialist to determine if you are qualified for this job. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

Knowledge of federal acquisition and procurement principles, policies, and procedures, including the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), to review procurement requests and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and agency guidelines.

Knowledge of contract administration and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) responsibilities sufficient to monitor contractor performance, review statements of work and task orders, and ensure contract deliverables meet federal and agency standards.

Skill in analyzing administrative and operational support programs to evaluate processes, identify issues, and recommend improvements that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with policies and regulations.

Skill in financial and invoice management, including reviewing and processing vendor invoices, maintaining accurate billing records in financial management systems, and resolving discrepancies with vendors and internal stakeholders.

Ability to coordinate and manage administrative operations, including travel processing, office logistics, inventory management, and continuity of operations activities in support of organizational mission requirements.Agency Career and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" and submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job to receive consideration for selection priority. To be considered well-qualified, in addition to meeting minimum qualifications, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all of the major aspects of the position.

• Include any supporting documents that don't fit within another category or are listed in the job announcement.
• Include a performance appraisal as proof of federal employment.
• Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
• Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

1.  Resume limited to two pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

2. Most recent SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Actions) that show: effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency. Multiple SF-50s may be needed to show all required information (e.g., promotion, within-grade increase, and separation SF-50s). Award SF-50s often do not show the required information. 

3.  Performance appraisal. Submit your most recent (i.e., usually within the last 18 months) final (not a mid-year review) official (i.e., signed by the rating official and in original format) annual performance appraisal.

4.  CTAP eligibility documentation (e.g., reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, certification of expected separation, etc.).

Next steps