Contract Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Department of Labor's (DOL), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM), Office of the Senior Procurement Executive (OSPE).

OSPE is responsible for the management and direction of DOL's acquisition system and mission; providing effective, ethical, and prudent business advice; and robust acquisition policies and services.

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You must meet the Basic Education Requirements listed in the education portion of this announcement AND the Specialized Experience to qualify for the Contract Specialist position, as described below.

Please read these requirements carefully. Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.

Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic requirement, to qualify for this position you must have at least 52 week of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 which is the next lower grade level of the normal line of progression of this position in the Federal government.

Specialized experience is experience that is related to the work of this position and has provided you with the competencies required for successful job performance.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience for the GS-11 Contract Specialist includes the following: Experience working with acquisition regulations, contract law, and procedures applicable to acquisition and contract administration including change orders, supplemental agreements, terminations, claims, and close out of contracts.

Experience working with various types of contracts, including firm-fixed price, firm-fixed price with economic price adjustments, and cost reimbursement; and contract methods to include simplified acquisitions, sealed bidding, negotiations, cost sharing, multiple awards, commercial items and special provisions.

Experience with contract administration principles and practices sufficient to monitor contractor performance and compliance with all terms and conditions of the contract.

Experience with negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications and settlements.

Proficiency using an electronic Contract Writing and Management System and ability to fully solicit, award, and administer contracts.

OR 3 full academic years of progressively higher graduate education OR Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree 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.

OR You may qualify on a combination of education and experience.

To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent.

Only graduate level education (in the required areas) in excess of the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. Major Duties:

The GS-11 Contact Specialist is responsible for contracting actions within contracting divisions, actively engaged in all phases and activities related to the procurement process.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Perform the complete range of pre-award and post-award procurement functions, primarily utilizing negotiation procedures, for complex service contracts that are highly specialized, new, or innovative.

Provide and coordinate support services to senior contract specialists for all pre-award and post-award activities related to the acquisition of supplies and services essential to the Department's mission.

Participate actively in all phases of the acquisition process. Receive requisitions and determine the most appropriate procurement method.

Draft determinations and findings, assist in preparing justifications and approvals for sole source actions, and assemble solicitation documents.

Conduct market research to assess the availability of products and services. Perform other assigned duties as required.