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Posted: January 8, 2026 (7 days ago)

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Contract Specialist

Defense Logistics Agency

Department of Defense

Fresh

Location

Salary

$52,680 - $68,485

per year

Closes

January 12, 2026

GS-7 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $41,966 - $54,557

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-6. Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement or 1 year graduate study.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This entry-level job trains new hires to handle government contracts for military supplies and services through the Defense Logistics Agency's career development program, involving hands-on learning and classroom training.

It's ideal for recent college graduates or those with basic business experience who want to start a career in federal procurement in Hawaii.

The role focuses on simple purchasing tasks that build toward more complex responsibilities over time.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent prior contracting experience in DoD/military before September 30, 2000
  • One year of specialized experience at GS-05 level or equivalent, involving basic procurement, business practices, and problem-solving for supplies/services
  • Alternatively, one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours), or a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (GPA 2.95+, upper third class standing, or honor society membership)
  • Familiarity with automated procurement and supply systems for record-keeping
  • Ability to evaluate simple bids or proposals for compliance with specifications
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to meet federal background check requirements
  • Submission of transcripts if qualifying via education

Full Job Description

See below for important information regarding this job.

Selected applicants will serve as entry-level trainees in the DLA Pathways to Career Excellence (PaCE) Program performing a series of progressively more responsible Contract Specialist functions, along with formal and on-the-job training (OJT).

Positions are with DLA's Troop Support Major Subordinate Command. To qualify for a Contract Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support: A.

Basic Contracting Requirement: A.) A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees OR B.) a current civilian employee in DoD or member of the Armed Forces, who occupied an 1102 position, contracting officer position, or comparable military contracting position with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold on or before September 30, 2000, are excluded from the requirements of "A)" above.

AND B.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position.

In addition to meeting the Basic Contracting Requirement above, to qualify for the GS-07 grade level, specialized experience must be at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement.

Creditable specialized experience includes: Utilizing common business practices and contracting methods to perform procurement functions when the contract actions are well defined and well precedented.

Solving practical problems relating to supplies, services, and/or contracting, as they relate to the development of specifications or product quality.

Utilizing basic automated procurement and supply systems to acquire, use, and maintain accurate records.

Evaluating simple bids or proposals for compliance with specifications or purchase descriptions and applicable clauses. OR C.

Education Substitution: Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. See http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx.

If using education to meet basic qualifications, YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT as supplemental documentation.

To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess: At least one full year of graduate level study, or possess a master's or Ph.D.

One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit 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.

OR a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution AND meet Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) based on ONE of the following: (1) class standing (upper third standing in graduating class); -OR- (2) grade-point average (2.95 or higher overall or over the last two years of bachelor's degree -or- 3.45 in my major field or over the last two years in my major); -OR-(3) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.

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. Major Duties:

  • The below responsibilities will be performed in a developmental capacity.
  • Attends formal trainings and completes submission of required training forms.
  • Performs developmental Contract Specialist duties in support of procuring a variety of items, materials, and equipment, utilizing manual and automated purchase procedures.
  • Utilizes formal advertising and/or negotiation techniques to procure items awarded.
  • Reviews and evaluates requisitions, bids, and/or proposals, to determine that proper specifications or purchaser descriptions are included in solicitation documents.
  • Creates supporting documentation for solicitations and awards and reviews them for accuracy and completeness.
  • Monitors vendor performance for compliance with terms and conditions of the award and assists customers in resolving award-related problems.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/8/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/8/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: DLATrpSptDT-26-12860730-DHA