Contract Specialist

Full Job Description

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

To be qualified you must possess one of the following Basic Requirements: A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field.

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 organizations and management.

OR Occupy and have occupied a GS-1102, Contract Specialist position in the Federal Government on January 1, 2000, in one of the following grade levels GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 or GS-12.

MUST meet the following grade qualification: To be qualified at the GS-09 level you must meet one of the following conditions as defined below: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as: procuring supplies or services involving standardized specifications and established markets using formal advertising; reviewing requisitions to insure inclusion of proper specifications, purchase descriptions, or clauses; evaluating bids or proposals for compliance; administering formally advertised and negotiated contracts; monitoring the progress of contractors; writing change orders; and coordinating contracting activities with other entities.

Education: One of the following types 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: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education; OR LL.B; OR J.D.

Major Duties:

If selected for this position, you will serve as the Contracting Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Central District of California, exercising a delegation of authority to contract a variety of services, supplies and equipment.

In addition, you may be required to assist in providing a variety of administrative support services in such areas as purchasing, budget, space management, security, internal controls, mail, records, reproduction services, forms management, and communication services.

As well, you will conduct management analytical studies and analysis of these assigned program areas.

Typical work assignments will include: Exercises full breath of authority through participation in acquisition planning, contract formation and administration, partnering, and resolving disputes and claims.

Provides business advice to customers. Advises employees regarding policies, procedures, and directives of management.

Reviews requisition packages for adequacy and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements consistent with current market practices and conditions.

Ensures appropriate funding and required waivers, certifications, approvals and compliances have been obtained for purchase requests.

Selects appropriate contracting techniques and procedures to solve acquisition problems. Develops evaluation criteria for use in determining source selection and "best value" requests for proposal.

Utilizes electronic systems for contract writing (i.e., UFMS), contract reporting (i.e., FPDS), financial management (i.e., UFMS), in accordance with agency policies.

Analyzes potential problem areas with regard to progress of work, available funds, requests for changes, delays in performance, and possible termination actions.

Makes off-site inspections to ensure that both parties (Government & Contractor) adhere to contract terms.

Performs continued planning to integrate the actions involving contractual obligations and responsibilities of both the government and the contractor. Completes special projects.

Evaluates reports by analyzing facts and performing appropriate research and prepares detailed responses within established timeframes.

Establishes, develops and maintains effective working relationships with contractors, businesses and industry representatives, customer organizations, federal, state and local government officials.

Assists the supervisor to identify team member development opportunities. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.