Job: Contract Specialist

Jobing Description

Contract Specialist
JOB SUMMARY:

Do you desire to protect American interests and secure our Nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters. The vitality and magnitude of this mission is achieved by a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services secures America's promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system. Visit us at http://www.uscis.gov/.

This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority to recruit for positions for which the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer has a critical hiring need.

Every day, our Contract Specialists negotiate the acquisition of equipment and services of significant importance to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. This position of CONTRACT SPECIALIST starts at a salary of $38,790.00(GS-07 step 1), with promotion potential to $89,450.00 (GS-12 step 10). Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Office of Contracting, Williston, VT within DHS US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Who May Apply

Status Candidates which include:

* U.S. Citizens
* For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here

USCIS will not pay relocation expenses.
This position is in the bargaining unit.
This position is not considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.

Note: USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.

KEY REQUIREMENTS
* You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position
* Successfully pass a Background Investigation including financial disclosure
* You must pass a drug screening
* Meet relevant experience and/or education requirements
* You must submit resume and supporting documentation
* Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service

DUTIES:

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence, and limited complexity.

As a Contract Specialist, you will:

* Acquire equipment and services of significant importance to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
* Solicit, negotiate, administer, close-out, and terminate purchase orders and contracts. Note: A wide variety of commodities will be acquired including furniture, telecommunication equipment, and various services and maintenance efforts.
* Develop, implement, and review contracting plans for pre-award, post-award, price/cost analysis, and a wide variety of procurement activities.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Basic Education Requirements for GS-7 through GS-12:

a) 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; OR

b) 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.

Exception: If you have occupied a position in the GS-1102 series since January 1, 2000, you meet the basic requirements for that position. If you presently occupy a GS-1102 position at grades 5 through 12, you meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at the GS-12 level. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, you still must meet all specialized experience requirements when seeking another position.

GS-7: You qualify at the GS-7 level if you meet the basic requirements and possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position. These duties are typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples include:

* Reviewing purchase requisitions for correct description, appropriate funds approval, and any special shipping, marking or other instructions; researching appropriate sources of supply; contacting vendors to obtain information on prices, availability, discounts, methods of shipment and other special provision; preparing requests for quotes or proposals for requirements and evaluating bids and proposals; making recommendations of award and reparing procurement documents. OR
*

You may substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required. You must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society. OR

You may substitute successful completion of one year of fulltime graduate education in a qualifying field for the experience required at the GS-7 level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. (A course of study in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management is qualifying.) Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.

GS-9: You qualify at the GS-9 level if you meet the basic requirements and possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position. These duties are typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples include: * Reviewing requisitions to determine that proper specifications or purchase descriptions are included in solicitation documents; evaluating bids or proposals for compliance with specifications or purchase descriptions and applicable clauses and coordinating contracting activities with other agencies having interrelated requirements. OR
* You may substitute successful completion of a master's (or equivalent graduate) degree or 2 full years of graduate education in a qualifying field or a L.L.B./J.D. degree for the experience required at the GS-9 grade level. (A course of study in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management is qualifying.) Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

GS-11: You qualify at the GS-11 level if you meet the basic requirements and possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position. These duties are typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples include:

* Planning and carrying out pre-award, post-award, price/cost analysis, and other related staff functions in a relatively standardized or controlled work situation using established contracting procedures, including more involved developmental assignments. OR
* You may substitute successful completion of a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) or 3 full years of graduate education in a qualifying field for the experience required at the GS-9 grade level. (A course of study in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management is qualifying.) Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.

GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you meet the basic requirements and possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position. These duties are typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples include:

* Assisting managers in defining their acquisition needs and sources for obtaining them.
* Developing sources for supplying goods and/or services, identifying specifications, conducting market reviews, preparing analyses of prices/costs of services or products, including work with a wide range of contracting methods and contract types to plan and carry out pre-award and post-award procurement actions.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Wednesday, February 15, 2012).

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

NOTE: Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. If you rated yourself higher than what is supported by your application material, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment

To preview the job questionnaire, click here View Assessment Questions

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, veteran's preference and the rule of three do not apply. However, you are encouraged to submit proof of veteran's preference.

BENEFITS:

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to www.dhs.gov/careers and select "benefits."

OTHER INFORMATION:

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

USCIS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.