This position is located in the Small Business Administration, Office of Field Operations - Region IV in Nashville, TN. The Business Opportunity Specialist is responsible for the full scope of the agency's government contracting and business development programs, as well as developing and conducting outreach and training to strengthen and improve business opportunities for eligible small businesses.

Duties

The Business Opportunity Specialist coaches and guides a portfolio of 8(a) firms in the development and maintenance of business plans. Maintains regular performance monitoring and reporting techniques to assure compliance with the firm's participation in the 8(a) Business Development program. Develops and administers the portfolio by providing support to address the firm's gaps in areas such as contract sourcing, business capture and marketing assistance, financial consultation and providing guidance regarding business growth and development. Duties include, but are not limited to: Provide business development assistance to small businesses regarding federal socioeconomic government contracting programs requiring certification actions. Develop and deliver training related materials to meet the needs of small businesses and SBA organizations/agencies. Coordinate with the Office of Government Contracting Business Development as appropriate to meet compliance requirements as outlined in the Small Business Act, Public Law 101-37 and Public Law 95-507. Provide advice/counseling to assist firm in the development of realistic and attainable objectives for their business regarding federal contracting. Provide advice, counsel and guidance in the areas of marketing to federal government and contract administration. Provide written guidance to small businesses to aid in development of small business principles and strategies. Physical Demands: This position combines an office environment with outreach and training activities. Requires extensive travel throughout the District, including frequent early morning, evening and occasional weekends and overnight travel and/or may travel outside the District. Use multi-modes of transportation including operation of either a government-owned motor vehicle or a privately-owned motor vehicle (GOV/POV). The work requires some physical exertion such as lifting boxes of hand-outs, information packets, computers and other items that can weigh up to 40 pounds. Transport, set-up and tear-down displays and/or other equipment at trade shows, training sessions and other activities as needed. A valid state driver's license is required. Work Environment: Work is normally performed in an office setting and in a variety of rural and urban environments (office, hotels, warehouses, factories, farms, faith-based and community-based locations, construction sites, restaurants, garages, laboratories, etc.) and may incur exposure to moderate risk, discomfort and unpleasant surroundings. The work may require special safety precautions, e.g ., visiting or working in industrial plants or test environments where hazards are present such as machines, moving equipment, chemicals, noise, vibrations, hazardous or extreme weather conditions, or comparable situations. May be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, hardhats, goggles, gloves or shields.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• You must successfully complete a background investigation.
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• This is not a drug testing designated position (TDP).
• This is a bargaining unit position with AFGE Local 228.
• Requires a valid driver's license (VDL). (DO NOT SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION).

Qualifications

GS-12: At least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector that demonstrates the ability to work independently in all of the following: utilizing federal procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; recruiting, training, educating or developing businesses interested in working with the government or with prime contractors; promoting an organization's programs and services through outreach and marketing. These qualifications must be clearly referenced in your resume. AND Education Requirement: A 4-year course of study, from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; or at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. You must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) with this application. If selected, official transcripts will be required. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's Qualifications web site: Business Opportunity Specialist (Small Business Administration) Series, 1101 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. Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified. Possess a valid level 1 Level I Federal Acquisition-Certification (FAC-C) Professional or the equivalent Department of Defense certification level 1 Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) or DAWIA Professional. You MUST submit your qualifying certification with this application, or you will be rated ineligible for consideration. You can find additional information regarding the certifications at https://www.fai.gov/certification/fac-c/new-fac-c-professional and https://www.dau.edu/ You MUST submit your qualifying certification with this application or you will be rated ineligible for consideration. OR You must agree to complete the training program required to obtain Level I FAC-C certification, as a current or future employee of the SBA, by the date that is one calendar year after the date you are appointed as a Business Opportunity Specialist. You will be required to sign a training agreement if selected. All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on 08/28/2024.

Education

Education Requirement:
A 4-year course of study, from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; or at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. You must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) with this application. If selected, official transcripts will be required.

Education may not be substituted for experience for this position.

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Verify School accreditation. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. *** 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. *** For further information, click on: Foreign Education.

Contacts

• Address Office of Field Operations - Region IV 233 Peachtree Street, NE Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30303 US
• Name: Aquila Bernard
• Email: [email protected]