The purpose of this position is to serve in a developmental capacity to the full performance level of GS-1102-09 as a Contract Specialist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with responsibility for 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 policy.

Duties

Candidates may be referred to the selecting official based off the number of applicants. The first 100 applicants to apply will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. If more than 100 applications are received, applicants who applied on or before the day 100 applicants was reached will be referred. Only those candidates selected for further review by the hiring manager and/or their designees(s) will have their application package reviewed for qualifications prior to the issuance of the certificate of eligibles. Based on hiring needs, additional groups of the next 100 applicants to apply to this vacancy may be reviewed for minimum qualifications and be referred to the hiring manager. This announcement is for one vacancy that may be filled at one of the following duty locations: Coralville, IA; Des Moines, IA; Fargo, ND; Fort Meade, SD; Omaha, NE; Saint Cloud, MN; Saint Paul, MN; Sioux Falls, SD. Selected applicant must live within 50 miles of one of the advertised duty locations. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-9. At the GS-7 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively 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 Include: Performs the full range of contract or contract administration duties related to complex contracts. Serves as contract administrator on awarded contracts. Conducts post-award conferences with Contractor and Government personnel to provide information and to clarify standard and special contractual provisions of the contract. Negotiates required changes to contract conditions to protect the agency. Resolves problems of delivery, production, quality, differing site conditions, inspection, and other pertinent matters. Performs cost/price analysis on change order proposals and analysis of delivery requirements. Administers payment provisions of the contract for partial payment, progress payments, and final payments using the VA On-line Certification system. Prepares required documentation and coordinates with the Office of the General/Regional Counsel during any legal proceedings. Performs market research, reviewing specifications and statements of work, and approving acquisition milestone plans. Utilize contract writing system (i.e., Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS)), contract reporting system (i.e., Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)), financial management system (i.e., Integrated Funds Distribution, Control Point Activity, Accounting, and Procurement (IFCAP)), and application suite (i.e., Graphical User Interface (GUI) when applicable) in accordance with agency policy. Prepares other documentation for award including FPDS reports, solicitation and award synopses, eCMS documents, and administrative correspondence. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F (8:00am - 4:30pm) Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized. Compressed/Flexible Schedules: Available. Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework (up to 100% per pay period) upon supervisory approval. If selected, applicants must be located within the commuting area of the duty location. Eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Office space will be available for individuals that prefer to work at one of the advertised duty station(s). Virtual: This is not a virtual position. (Virtual refers to work performed on full-time basis using VA-leased space or at a VA facility other than the facility that hired the employee.) Financial Disclosure: Selected applicants will be required to complete a financial disclosure within 30 days from their start date. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary in nature. There are no special physical requirements. The work is performed primarily in office areas or conference rooms and similar environments. However, it may require some traveling and visits to Government and/or contractor's facilities and other contract-related performance sites.

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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirement: Completion of at least a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field. (Transcripts Required) ~OR~ Possession of 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~ Occupation of 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) ~AND~ In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also meet one of the following: Superior Academic Achievement: Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-7 level: (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following:1. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision.2. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.3. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.4. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f. Transcripts must show that a degree was conferred in order to qualify on SAA. ~OR~ Specialized Experience at the GS-7: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in federal service. Specialized experience for this position is experience in: acquisition regulations, contract law, and procedures applicable to acquisition and contract administration; various types of contracts and contract methods; negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms, and conditions of contracts; business practices to identify sources, analyze cost and pricing data; and experience monitoring contractor performance and compliance with all terms and conditions of the contract. ~OR~ Substitution of Graduate Education for Specialized Experience: One full academic year of graduate education or law school. To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. (Transcripts Required) ~OR~ Combination of Graduate Education and Specialized Experience: An equivalent combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above to meet the qualification requirements for this position. (Transcripts Required) 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

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]