This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: This position is located within the Purchase Branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District in Concord, MA. The position will be filled at the GS-05/07/09 or GS-11 grade level only.

Duties

Serves as a Contract Specialist for the Purchase Branch of the Directorate of Contracting, Contract Division, US Army Engineer District, New England. Perform pre-award and post-award functions for construction, engineering services, supply, and service contracts. Contracts are primarily firm-fixed-price type. Under support of a senior staff member, conducts negotiations and advises technical personnel in conducting negotiated acquisitions. Assist in drafting contracts and preparing records of negotiation. The incumbent will also assist in administering contracts by arranging for payment processing, monitoring contractor performance, and implementing contract modifications.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• This is an Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) position. You must meet the requirements for a Contracting Professional Certification within 3 years of entrance on duty.
• Relocation/PCS is not authorized.
• Recruitment/Relocation/Retention Incentive is not Authorized.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic education requirements for 1102 positions: Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. OR Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000. In addition to the Basic Requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below. Experience Required: GS-05: Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000. GS-07: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes meeting all of the following: 1) Utilize procurement regulations, in order to perform recurring and developmental contracting assignments. Examples of such are: analyzing, evaluating and participating in negotiation of various cost elements and/or reviewing pricing and cost elements on contracts. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as, Business, Communications, Computers and Math, Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Languages and Humanities, Education, or Healthcare Administration. OR Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) 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) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/). GS-09: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes meeting all of the following: 1) Assist with contract negotiations; 2) provide review of statistical, financial, and/or accounting analysis; 3) prepare contact award documentation; and 4) perform pre and post-award functions on contracts. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Business, Communications, Computers and Math, Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Languages and Humanities, Education, or Healthcare Administration: GS-11: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes meeting all of the following: 1) Monitor contractors to insure contracts are in compliance; 2) prepare proposals and process awards of contracts; 3) negotiate with bidders to reach agreement on price and contact terms; and 4) conduct pre-award surveys on proposed contractors. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Business, Communications, Computers and Math, Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Languages and Humanities, Education, or Healthcare Administration.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Contacts

• Address RD-W2SF05 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-NEW ENGLAND DO NOT MAIL Concord, MA 01742 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk