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Contract Specialist (College Graduate)

Contract Specialist, GS-1102-07/09 (College Graduate)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Summary

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking bright, innovative, results-driven recent graduates under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is a highly competitive authority appointing recent college graduates into entry-level personnel for subsequent advancement to the journey-level in professional and administrative career fields.

This job is open to


Recent graduates

Special authorities

Clarification from the agency

Recent graduates who have completed a qualifying bachelors, masters, professional, or doctorate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous (2) two years (using the date of your application for this vacancy). Exception: A veteran due to military service obligation was unable to apply with 2 years of receiving their degree, will have up to (4) four years after degree completion to apply.

Duties

This position is located in Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), a corporate staff office of the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator, with one vacancy in Boulder, CO and one vacancy in Seattle, WA.
As a Contract Specialist, you will perform the following duties:
  • Conduct acquisition planning to include advising technical personnel on the development of statements of work and acquisition strategy formulation in order to procure supplies, services.
  • Solicit bids, quotes and offers to procure a variety of requirements and negotiate and administer contracts.
  • Perform basic analyses for firm fixed price or similar contracts.
  • Review procurement actions to determine cost effectiveness and compliance.
These duties are described at the GS-09; the GS-07 is developmental leading to such performance. All positions are developmental to the full performance level (FPL) GS-12. Promotion from grade 11 to grade 12 will be based upon application of a competency model that identifies the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of all Contract Specialists..

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply.Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.Must be suitable for Federal employment.Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)A minimum one year probationary period will be required.Meet Recent Graduate Eligibility RequirementsIf selected, required to complete OGE Form 450 financial disclosure.This position is in the bargaining unit for Boulder CO. This position is not in the bargaining unit for Seattle, WA.

NOTE:
College Transcript:  Applicants must submit a copy of their college transcript that lists college courses, course title, and number of credit hours. If you have a future graduation date, you must provide a letter from the school registrars' office that includes the name of the student/applicant, the name of the school, and verification of your anticipated graduation date. The transcripts or letter must indicate that the degree has been conferred. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process, but an official certified copy must be received before you can report to duty.

Qualifying Education Institution: Any of the following educational institutions or curricula that have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: Contract Specialist.
This position has a positive education requirement, transcripts must be submitted. CANDIDATES MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
  1. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field;
OR
  1. 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 organization and management.
Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position.
*SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION - All documentation supporting the Basic Education Requirement MUST be submitted with your application package. Failure to submit documentation may result in an ineligible status.
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.
IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
To qualify at the GS-07 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level of the Federal service is defined as meeting ALL of the following experience:
Performing recurring and developmental contracting assignments in the administration of contracts for goods or services.
OR
EDUCATION: One full year of graduate-level education in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
or
Superior Academic Achievement as demonstrated by a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university with one of the following. NOTE It is your responsibility to ensure your application clearly states how you meet one of the provisions below:
  • A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study;
  • A GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study;
  • Class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college;
  • Membership in a national Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.
OR
COMBINATION: A combination of related graduate-level education and specialized experience.
To qualify at the GS-09 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level of the Federal service is defined as meeting ALL of the following experience:
Performing recurring and developmental contracting assignments in the award, administration and closeout of contracts for goods or services assuring that all activities performed are in compliance with applicable procurement regulations or procedures.
OR
EDUCATION: A master’s degree or 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management or LL.B. or J.D.
OR
COMBINATION: A combination of graduate level education, beyond the first year (or 18 semester hours) in a related field of study as described above and specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.

Additional information

NOAA participates in e-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.