This position is part of the Idaho Operations Office. This Program is a dynamic, one-year developmental program that promotes careers in the Federal Government to recent graduates. Participants in the Program receive training and professional development, complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP), and are assigned a mentor. Recent Graduates who successfully complete Program requirements may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position in the civil service.

Duties

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-13. Since you are being selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties and will receive training to help you grow in this position. As a Contract Specialist, you will:

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Foreign National who meets both Immigration and Annual Appropriations Laws.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• A Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement is required.
• Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the entire duration of their excepted service appointment.
• Applicant must provide proof that they have obtained an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, professional, doctorate, vocational, technical degree, or a certificate from a qualifying educational institution with the previous 2 years.; OR
• Applicant must provide proof that they have completed a qualifying career or technical education program within the previous 2 years.
• Veterans precluded by a military service obligation have up to 6 years after completion of degree or certificate to apply.
• Students who will graduate within 7 months of the closing date of this announcement may also be considered; however, documentation of degree completion must be provided prior to appointment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Federal Acquisition Certification - In Contracting (FAC-C).

Qualifications

You must meet the eligibility and qualifications within 7 months (June 2025) of the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements for the 1102 series: A. 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; OR B. 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. In addition to meeting the "Basic Requirements" listed above, you must also meet the "Experience Requirements" described below. For the GS-05: You must have 3 years of progressively responsible experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4, that demonstrates the ability to: Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; Plan and organize work; and Communicate effectively orally and in writing. For the GS-07: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position at the GS-7 includes: Assisting in procuring supplies and services for customers. OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-7 BASED ON EDUCATION: 1 full year of graduate level education in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-7 BASED ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement is defined as:(1) Class standing -- You must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses, (2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- You must have 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or(3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- You are a member of one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/). The Bachelor degree must still show the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform in this position. OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-7 BASED ON A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Education

You must submit transcripts with your application for proof of education with degree conferred or expected date.

To be eligible for the Pathways Recent Graduate program you must be a:

• Recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, technical degree, or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or completed a qualifying career or technical education program that awards a recognized postsecondary credential (such as a Registered Apprenticeship Program or Job Corps).

-OR-

• Student who within 7 months of the closing date of this announcement will meet the education requirements and will graduate with a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, technical degree, or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or completed a qualifying career or technical education program. A student may not be appointed to a position until they have graduated.

-OR-

• Preference eligible veterans who have been precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion. You MUST submit a copy of the DD214 showing the duration and dates of service that precluded you from applying due to the military service obligation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to OPM Instructions.

What constitutes a valid certificate program: The Pathways Programs regulation (see 5 CFR 362.102) defines certificate program as post-secondary education at either:

• A qualifying educational institution (trade or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, or graduate or professional school) equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.; OR
• A qualifying career or technical education program of at least one year that awards a recognized postsecondary credential.

What types of programs would meet the eligibility criteria for a qualifying career or technical education program?

Three types of programs meet these criteria:

• Federally administered educational programs that provide rigorous academic content, technical skill proficiency, and a recognized postsecondary credential to prepare the individual for further education and/or a career in a current or emerging profession.;
• Registered Apprenticeship Programs; and
• Federally administered local, state, national, or international volunteer service programs.

What is a Federally administered career or technical education program?

A Federally administered career or technical education program is subject to programmatic oversight by a federal agency that includes:

• The nature and scope of work to be performed by participants,
• The type(s) and scope of training to be provided to participants,
• The types of skills participants will acquire or develop during the program (e.g., teaching, environmental, business, scientific, public health/health care, languages),
• The level and extent of mentoring participants will receive, and
• The metrics for successful completion of the program.

Programmatic oversight may be reflected in partnership or cooperative agreements.

Contacts

• Address Idaho Operations Office Department of Energy Human Capital Shared Service Center 1000 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20585 US
• Name: Applicant Inquiries Pathways
• Email: [email protected]