Job Summary

The position serves as a Contract Specialist and/or Contracting Officer responsible for the full range of pre-award, award and post-award activities involved in the procurement of supplies, services, or equipment to meet the requirements of the agency. This announcement may be used to fill additional like vacancies within additional USDA organizations (more information in Education section).

Job Description

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Requirements: Applicants must meet the following individual occupational requirements in order to be considered for the 1102, Contracting Series. A. 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. 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must also meet: Minimum Qualifications: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements as shown above, applicants must also meet the Specialized Experience and/or Education requirements as shown below. If qualifying based on experience, your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the specialized experience requirements. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. GS-11: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which included experience performing contracting work at various stages in the contracting process including initiating/ planning/ reviewing requirements; recommending the method of procurement; awarding contracts or recommending contracts for award; and addressing contract administration issues. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for the GS-11 grade level. GS-12: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service that included experience performing all aspects of contracting transactions from initiation through closeout which included reviewing requirements, determining the method of procurement, negotiating contract terms, and awarding and administering contracts AND collaborating with requiring offices to meet mission needs. 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.