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Posted: April 9, 2026 (0 days ago)

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CONTRACT SPECIALIST- DIRECT HIRING AUTHORITY

Air Force Materiel Command

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$34,799 - $82,938

per year

Closes

GS-4 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $30,286 - $39,372

Typical requirements: 1 year general experience. 2 years college or associate degree.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job involves advising on business matters and handling the full process of government contracts, from planning and negotiating deals to managing them after they're signed, for things like services, supplies, or building projects in the Air Force.

It's a good fit for someone with a bachelor's degree and about a year of experience in contracting or procurement who enjoys problem-solving, teamwork, and working under deadlines in a structured environment.

Entry-level federal workers or recent graduates with relevant internships would be strong candidates.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (transcripts required)
  • At least 52 weeks of specialized experience in preaward and postaward contracting functions equivalent to GS-04 level
  • Knowledge of government contracting guidelines, statutes, regulations, and policies
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to plan, organize work, and meet deadlines
  • Skills in problem analysis, research, negotiation, and contract administration
  • Teamwork and ability to develop innovative solutions

Full Job Description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide business advice to the customer and perform preaward and postaward functions, using a wide range of contracting methods and types to procure complex or specialized services, commodities, and/or construction for the organization.

Experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, DoD Instruction (DoDI) 5000.66, Defense Acquisition Workforce Education, Training, Experience, and Career Development.

Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Applicants must meet the basic requirements and Specialized experience as stated in this announcement.

BASIC EDUCATION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate.

NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF OFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS.

OR A current member of the Armed Forces (not retired or separated) OR a current DOD employee that meets the following requirements: 1) served as a contracting officer with authority to award or administer in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) on or before 30 September 2000; 2) served in an 1102 position or as a Service member in a similar occupational specialty on or before September 30, 2000; OR, (3) is an enlisted member of the Contingency Contracting Force (CCF).

This exemption only applies to CCF members in their current or future CCF positions.

The baccalaureate degree exemption does not apply to current CCF members seeking new hire employment within DoD as an 1102. or (4) is described in subsection (e)(1)(B) of 10 USC 1724.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must meet the mandated bachelor's degree and have (or will have) at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-01, equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-04) (or equivalent in an alternative pay system in the federal service).

Specialized experience is experience in providing business advice to the customer and performing preaward and postaward functions, using a wide range of contracting methods and types to procure complex or specialized services, commodities, and/or construction for the organization NOTE: You must submit copies of your official transcripts.

NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1.

Knowledge of government and agency-specific guidelines and business practices including statutes, regulations, policies and procedures that cover different contract types. 2.

Ability to communicate orally and in writing. 3. Ability to plan, organize work, and meet deadlines. 4.

Ability to recognize and analyze problems, conduct research, summarize results, and make appropriate recommendations while working cooperatively as a member of a team. 5.

Ability to negotiate and administer contracts. 6. Ability to identify problems and develop innovative solutions.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that 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:

Duty 1: Serves as a business advisor, providing business advice, guidance and assistance to technical personnel involved in the development of requirements packages.

Duty 2: Procures and performs post award functions for a wide variety of services, commodities, and/or construction and RTD&E involving a variety of contract types, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisals, subcontractor surveillance, disposition of claims, close-out, and similar matters.

Duty 3: Represents the organization with a variety of installation and functional area organizations.

Duty 4: Makes field site visits detecting and correcting labor standards violations, taking appropriate action to expedite delivery or performance when required by mission changes, monitoring the contractor's use of government-furnished property inventories, and issuing change orders as necessary.

Duty 5: Researches, interprets, analyzes and applies procurement guidelines, policies, regulations, impacting a cross-section of acquisitions.

This position is a developmental (e.g.: NH-02 Target NH-03) position. This position may be filled at any grade level.

Individual selected may be promoted without further competition, upon meeting all legal and regulatory requirements. Starting salary indicated on this vacancy announcement is for the (GS-05).

Attainment of knowledge, skills, and abilities is required before promotion to the next higher grade and is dependent on demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the next higher grade level, meeting all regulatory requirements, and recommendation for promotion by the supervisor.

Promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

This position may be subject to a formalized training program and pay retention of 150% of the maximum rate of the basic pay is authorized for candidates requesting a Voluntary Change to lower Grade.

Military Spouse candidates exercising their preference will be placed at the full performance level, if considered to be best qualified and selected."

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Posted on USAJOBS: 4/9/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/9/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: AFMC-110202-12930350-REO