Contract Specialist (Direct Hire)

Summary The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is distinct among United States Attorney's Offices due to the breadth and scale of its work. It acts as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. Locally, it handles cases ranging from misdemeanor drug possession to murders, while federally, it handles cases ranging from child pornography to gang, financial fraud, and terrorism. The Office represents the district in civil suits. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a United States Citizen or National. Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable. If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. Qualifications To be qualified for this position, you must meet both the basic requirement and meet the education and/or specialized experience as specified below. Basic Requirement: A. Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree or higher with a major in any field. OR B. Completed 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. You must submit your transcripts (unofficial or official) to verify basic qualifications for this position or you will be disqualified. GS-7: To be found qualified at the GS-7 level you must possess one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the GS-5 level that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position. Specialized experience is defined as experience reviewing invoices against purchase orders or contracts to confirm that the terms are consistent; using established procedures to process applications for contracting officer warrants, reviewing vendors' applications for bidder's mailing lists, screening incoming purchase request item descriptions for accuracy and adequacy and monitoring the status of purchase orders; reviewing and reconciling documents and records and resolving a variety of problems by coordinating with vendors and personnel in receiving, supply, and buying offices; determining contacts to reference sources to investigate and resolve routine or recurring discrepancies related to item and/or price differences, leftover funds, quantities outside allowable variances, and similar problems; identifying reasons for discrepancies and initiating corrective action. OR Education: One full academic year of graduate education or law school or Superior Academic Achievement. (Superior Academic Achievement requires the applicant possess a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society). To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. OR Combining Education and Experience: I have a combination of specialized experience as described above and graduate education as described above, which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. (Only graduate education in excess of 1 full year is creditable.) GS-9: To be found qualified at the GS-9 level you must possess one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the GS-7 level, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position. Specialized experience is defined as experience reviewing requisitions and determining appropriate method of procurement; developing procurement plans and strategy by reviewing market conditions, specifications, and technical requirements; determining adequacy and completeness of available sources, contact with manufacturing representative or other possible authoritative sources; compiling bidders lists and utilizing other source lists to facilitate requirements; preparing statement of work (SOW) and other documents necessary prior to a formal solicitation process; evaluating, in conjunction with subject-matter experts, proposals, unsolicited proposals and other bid documents; drafting final contract documents; ensuring delivery of requirements and receipt of invoices for payment and closeout of received services or supplies; purchasing common supplies available off-the-shelf, items that are manufactured to order or constitute specialized purchases or services, such as expert witnesses, litigative consultant services, construction, IT and complex equipment and services; closing out purchase orders in accordance with agency instructions.- OR Education: Two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education, or masters or equivalent degree in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management, or LL.B or JD. OR Combining Education and Experience: I have a combination of specialized experience as described above and graduate education as described above, which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. (Only graduate education in excess of 1 full year is creditable.) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found eligible and qualified for this vacancy. To be eligible and qualified, you must satisfy all eligibility and qualification requirements for the vacant position as outlined in this announcement. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found eligible and qualified for this vacancy. To be eligible and qualified, you must satisfy all eligibility and qualification requirements for the vacant position as outlined in this announcement. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Education All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov. OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Additional information Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Veterans' Preference - Since Direct Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified preference eligibles will be given full consideration for this position. While veterans' preference does not apply in Direct Hire Authority, preference eligibles can submit their supporting documentation listed as Optional in the Required Documentation section of this vacancy announcement. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov. Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Read more Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.