The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The purpose of this position is to serve in a developmental capacity as a Contract Specialist trainee in performing professional work involving the procurement of supplies and services using procedures outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulations, VA Acquisition Regulations, Public Laws, and agency policies.

Duties

The employee in this position serves as a Contract Specialist Trainee in either the local or VA Central Office- funded Trainee Program. The training program enhances all aspects of the procurement process. As a trainee, the employee will receive on-the-job training in the principles, procedures and techniques of the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting occupation, and will receive formal training by completing/attending training program courses. Trainee must successfully complete each of the required courses. As part of the VA's succession planning, the Technical Career Field (TCF) training program was created to ensure individuals are trained in critical areas that have current or predicted shortages. The program is nationally funded to include salary, benefits and training/travel dollars. At the time of acceptance into the TCF program, trainees will be asked to sign mobility, training, and service agreements. Relocation expenses for acceptance into the training program or for placement are not funded by the TCF program. Please keep in consideration, the training program is meant for those individuals who plan on staying with the VA a minimum of 3 years after completion of their training program. Selectees will be required to complete and sign the following paperwork; Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. NOTE: This position requires the selectee to sign a two year continued service agreement, which requires the selectee to complete the full two year TCF training period. Leaving the program before completion of the program will incur financial penalties. Although not guaranteed, with more than 150 freestanding facilities and hundreds of clinic locations, we will strive to place trainees in positions that will work for their needs and the needs of the VA. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-9, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-9. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Perform market research, reviewing specifications and statements of work, and approving acquisition milestone plans. Ensure that specifications and statements of work are prepared in a manner which adequately describes the Government's requirements without restricting competition. Advises technical personnel as to inadequate, ambiguous, or vague specifications to avoid Government liability. Performs a complete review of recommended sole source requirements and conducts necessary market analyses to test the noncompetitive assumptions of requisitions. Prepares required findings and sufficiently documents determinations in this regard. Responsible for recommending the appropriate method of procurement i.e., simplified acquisition procedures, sealed bidding, negotiations. Conducts public bid openings, reviews bids, and determines responsiveness and responsibility of low bidder in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements when using sealed bidding. Conducts negotiations for competitive and noncompetitive procurements. Performs cost/price analysis on change order proposals and analysis of delivery requirements. Negotiates prices and/or additional time required for performance and consideration on behalf of the Government. Administers payment provisions of the contract for partial payments, progress payments and final payments using the VA Online Certification system. Perform all duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time Employment: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday / Salary will be adjusted per locations **For this position, telework (up to 80% per pay period) or remote work (100% off site) may be authorized upon supervisor approval if within the local commuting distance of the advertised duty stations. Office space will be available for individuals that prefer to work at one of the duty stations advertised. Position Description Title/PD#: Contract Specialist (Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee)/PD50001A Physical Requirements: The subject position is primarily of an administrative nature in an office setting, however where travel to work sites is required there may be light physical work required, such as walking over uneven surfaces, or assisting technical personnel in taking measurements or elevations. Government travel for training, meetings, or customer interactions will be required in this position. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Applicants must live within 50 miles radius of the advertised duty location.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Minimum Qualifications for Grade GS-5 Individual Occupational Requirements (Basic Requirements) A. Possess at least a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field. (Transcripts Required) OR B. Possess 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. (Transcripts Required) OR C. Occupied a GS-1102, Contract Specialist position in the Federal Government on January 1, 2000, in one of the following grade levels GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 or GS-12. (SF-50 Required) 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. 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; religions; 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.

Education

A full transcripts with conferred/awarded date must be submitted with your application to meet qualification (A) above, if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education to receive consideration.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Contacts

• Address VHA Service Center - 2 6100 Oak Tree Blvd Independence, OH 44131 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]