Contract Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is part of the Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office, Department of Energy.

NNSA Demonostration Project: This position is covered by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Demonstration Project.

The NQ-02 pay band is equivalent to the GS-9 to GS-12 grade levels, the NQ-03 is equivalent to the GS-13 to GS-14 grade levels.

For more information on the NNSA Demonstration Project & Pay Band/Salary Tables, contact the HR Consultant listed on this vacancy announcement.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: For the NQ-02: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07 or equivalent) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Knowledge of the principles, techniques, laws and regulations related to the negotiation and administration of firm-fixed price, fixed price incentive, cost-type and other Federal contracts.

Knowledge of negotiation techniques to lead and participate in contract negotiations.

Knowledge of business and management principles and practices to evaluate, monitor and maintain management control over contractors' performance.

Knowledge of DOE and DOD procurement policies and practices for the negotiation. administration and award of research and development, architect engineer, construction, and supply contracts.

Ability to present, both orally and in writing, technical and administrative information in a meaningful and understandable form.

OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D.

To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

OR Combination: Applicants may combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate education that equates to 100% of the requirements for the GS-9 (only graduate education in excess of 2 years, 36 semester hours, can be used towards crediting a combination of education and experience).

For the NQ-03: Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to NQ-03 or higher-level contracting positions, including at least 4-years of 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, Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Expert knowledge of contracting laws, regulations, principles, policies, and procedures to negotiate and administer contracts, and coordinate procurement functions of the office and of the prime contractors.

Ability to negotiate, defend, explain, and express facts and ideas in order to influence, develop, and maintain internal and external networks.

Knowledge of special emphasis programs, such as Small and Disadvantaged Business considerations, Buy American policies, funding constraints, and numerous other considerations sufficient to assist other contract specialists in the evaluation of their impact on complex procurement transactions and to assure their use by prime contractors.

Must obtain FAC-C Level III Certification under the DOE Acquisition Career Management Program within 24 months of appointment. Must meet education requirements.

There is no educational substitution for the NQ-03 level.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/ Major Duties:

As a Contract Specialist, NQ-02, you will: Performs various pre-award and post-award functions involving contract negotiation, award administration, termination, and closeout pertaining to the placement of prime contracts.

Provide assistance in oversight of prime contractors' operations in contracting as well as for the operation of these functions within the field office.

Be responsible for oversight functions include review of significant subcontracting actions prior to execution.

Contracts and subcontracts involve procurement of nuclear and highly specialized components from an extremely limited vendor base involving negotiations with sole source suppliers.

Be required to communicate frequently, orally and in writing, to senior management, technical and business stakeholders as well as contractor and subcontractor personnel.

As a Contract Specialist, NQ-03, in addition to the above duties, you will: Serve as a Senior Contract Specialist within the Contracts Division, Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office.

Perform and oversee actions taken by other specialists involving prime contract pre-award and post-award functions, which include, contract planning, negotiation, award, administration, termination, and closeout.

Be responsible for focused oversight of operating contractor procurement activities, including review and approval of subcontracts. Serve as a Contracting Officer with warrant authority.

Provide expert knowledge to Contract Division's management regarding utilization of small businesses and other procurement matters.

Coordinate programs/projects and provide technical division guidance and advice to lower-level specialists.