Contract Specialist

About the role

The purpose of this position is to perform developmental assignments which are designed to provide the employee the application of common contracting methods and contract types, and to assist in the procurement of standard or specialized service; supply; and/or construction items, services, and/or materials primarily through formal advertising, or through limited use of negotiation techniques.

The position is centrally managed and funded by the Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center.

What you will do

• Follows established procedures to procure off-the-shelf materials, which are available from numerous commercial sources, and are easily identified by common names for which standard price lists are available.
• Prepares Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP) ensuring that technical descriptions and appropriate contract clauses are included.
• Assists in monitoring contract performance and assists in contract termination.
• Provides advice and assistance to others relating to contracting work and prepares correspondence.

Education

You must have completed a 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in one of the following: a) Class Standing - upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses in the college, university, or major subdivision; b) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 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 curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. c) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position).

(If qualifying based on class standing or honor society membership, provide appropriate documentation). If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc., you cannot qualify based on GPA.

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application.

Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

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 conventional U.S. education program.

It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. To receive further consideration, YOU MUST log in to *** and select the "Apply Now" button near the bottom. Applicants will be evaluated based on the materials and assessments required for the position.

This may include: Responses to the Hire Vue interview Hire Vue assessments Review of transcripts and supporting documents Resume review If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be placed into one of three pre-defined quality categories based on your application. These categories are Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on competencies including, but not limited to: Communication Willingness to learn Problem Solving Planning and Prioritization Cognitive Ability Conscientiousness Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in.

CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher. Application questionnaire: Applicants must complete a questionnaire as part of the application process.

To preview the Application Questionnaire, click here *** Online assessments: Applicants must complete the HireVue assessment measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessments include general scenarios addressing the underlying competencies required for this position.

You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment in HireVue. Applicants who complete the online assessments will move on to the next phase of the assessment process. Resume review: HR Specialists will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on specialized experience.

Resumes submitted for Federal positions may not exceed two pages. HR will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume). Applicants passing the resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further. For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are required and must be provided with your application.
• Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration.
• Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming.
• Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.
• Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts.
• You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
• Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
• Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
• Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge).
• This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214.
• If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces.
• NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form.
• Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50.
• The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1".
• Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
• Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements.
• You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).
• ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date.
• Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave.
• At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
• Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position.
• The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
• Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference.
• If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.
• OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
• Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
• Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

What to expect next

After you submit your application, you will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Your application will remain active through the open period of this Public Notice. Once this Public Notice closes, you must reapply.

Additional information

The Copper Cap Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Copper Cap Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases.

Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval. This is your opportunity to begin a successful civilian career with the United States Air Force. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here.

To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated in the "Highly Qualified" or "Best Qualified" Category on the rating criteria for this vacancy.

You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.

For additional information, click here. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

For more information, click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025.

When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information. General Schedule Salary Table for "Rest of US" (RUS) was used, salaries may vary dependent upon location selected.

Please refer to the Salary Tables link for more information: *** If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.