This position is located in the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Commodity Procurement Program (CPP) as a Contract Specialist responsible for all pre-award and post-award functions including initiation, solicitation, recommendation of award, contract administration, payment, and contract closeout for procurement and other financial assistance programs. This is a 100% Remote position that must be located in Parkton, North Carolina.

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. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Involved with the planning and development of purchase and financial assistance programs and procedures for carrying out the purchasing of commodity products. Determines both financial and technical responsibility of potential new vendors, and assists those vendors through the process to become an approved vendor. Reviews and analyzes relevant production and price data, and makes recommendations concerning the need for surplus removal purchase programs. Responsible for preparing accurate announcements, invitations to bid, requests for information, requests for proposals, and related contractual documents. Performs detailed analysis of bids received using processes and procedures designed to ensure the most advantageous awards for USDA nutrition assistance programs. Reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations concerning various factors affecting ongoing purchase and other financial assistance operations. Ensures that the provisions of Sections 8 and 15 of the Small Business Act, as amended by PL 95-507 and the provisions of Executive Order 12138 are implemented in the procurement activities. Seeks and develops a sound relationship with contractors, industry organizations, and other interested parties.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any fieldOR 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. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Utilizing Federal Acquisitions Regulations for formulating contracting approaches, proper structure of solicitations and contracts, and negotiated procurements. Working with a multiple commodity program to coordinate activity with other Branches, Agencies, and Industry Groups involved in the program. Working with small business contracted bid and award documents. Working with commercial and industrial business practices and guiding technical personnel. Working with supply and market conditions to evaluate bid analysis results and prepare purchase recommendations. OR 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the fields of: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Marketing Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]