Contract Specialist (Title 32)

Air National Guard Units • Jefferson Barracks, MO

21h

About The Position

This is a permanent National Guard Title 32 Excepted Service position in the MO 131st Bomb Wing. The Contract Specialist plans and carries out acquisition activities for a range of complex requirements, including services, supplies, construction, and architect and engineering work. The position develops procurement approaches, reviews requisition packages, prepares solicitation and contract documents, and advises less experienced specialists and customers. It also supports competition and small-business participation, conducts negotiations, documents award decisions, and manages assigned contracts after award.

The position serves as a business advisor to customers and may participate in or oversee special projects and assignments. The incumbent must meet applicable Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements and maintain the required contracting certification, education, training, and experience. The position requires Missouri Air National Guard membership, military uniform wear, and the ability to safeguard sensitive or classified information. A secret security clearance must be obtained and maintained; the incumbent may also need to pass the Contracting Officer Review Board and hold a warrant. This is an essential-personnel position that may require duty during state emergencies or disasters.

Requirements

• Must currently be assigned to a military unit in the Missouri Air National Guard; National Guard membership is required.
• Must meet the military grade requirements; maximum military grade is MSgt (E-8), and the employee may not be militarily senior to the full-time supervisor.
• Must possess general experience supporting competencies in business, finance, risk management, project management, or supply chain management, including data collection and analysis, clear and effective communication, and procurement administration or purchase card management competencies.
• Must have at least one year of specialized contracting experience equivalent to GS-11.
• Specialized experience must include acquisition planning, market research, and knowledge of contracting methods that meet mission and customer needs.
• Experience advising Contracting Officer Representatives and customers on procurement preparation and on developing acceptable specifications, work statements, and quality assurance criteria.
• Experience reviewing procurement requests for clarity, adequacy, and completeness.
• Knowledge of negotiation techniques and technical requirements sufficient to procure complex or diversified services, commodities, and/or construction.
• Experience managing work functions, including the ability to lead, direct, and assign personnel work.
• Must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees; transcripts or other supporting documentation are required.
• Must meet DAWIA requirements applicable to the position and complete contracting certification in accordance with 5000.66, as well as continuing acquisition education, training, and experience requirements under DoDI 5000.66.
• Must obtain and maintain a secret security clearance.
• Must wear the military uniform.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft for temporary duty assignments.
• Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required, including hours outside the normal duty day.
• Must register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959, and subject to the registration requirement.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• May be required to complete management-prescribed courses for full-time support personnel within the first year of employment or assignment.
• Applicants who are not current National Guard members must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in the announcement.
• May be required to complete a trial period and a supervisory probationary period.
• Must file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually.
• May be required to pass the Contracting Officer Review Board (CORB) and hold a warrant.
• Candidates should be committed to improving federal government efficiency, the ideals of the American republic, the rule of law, and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Plan the overall approach to meet contracting program objectives for requirements of varying complexity.
• Review requisition packages for adequacy, compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements, and consistency with market practices and conditions.
• Prepare documents for solicitation issuance and review and advise less experienced specialists on document preparation.
• Determine procurement methods, contract types, and financing arrangements suited to special circumstances.
• Resolve barriers to competition and encourage small-business participation.
• Support and take affirmative action with consideration of Equal Employment Opportunity in personnel actions.
• Oversee procurement of services, supplies, construction, and architect and engineering work.
• Develop special solicitation and contract terms, provisions, clauses, and conditions as required.
• Prepare pre-negotiation positions and memoranda based on audit or technical recommendations.
• Document selection decisions and justify the basis for awards.
• Carry out post-award contract performance management actions on assigned contracts.
• Determine the reasonableness of claims.
• Negotiate and prepare contract modifications, including changes to technical requirements, quantities, unpriced options, and similar matters.
• Serve as a business advisor to customers.
• Participate in or oversee special projects and initiatives, perform special assignments, and carry out other duties as assigned.
• Safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations.
• Meet applicable acquisition certification, continuing education, training, and experience requirements.
• File an OGE Form 450 upon appointment and annually thereafter.
• Obtain and maintain a secret security clearance; the position may require passing the Contracting Officer Review Board and holding a warrant.
• Perform essential-personnel duties in preparation for or response to a state emergency or disaster when required.

Benefits

• Advanced-in-hire pay above the minimum rate may be granted to a new employee with superior, relevant qualifications essential to the agency's mission.
• Creditable service toward annual leave accrual may be granted to eligible new employees whose superior qualifications were gained in a relevant non-federal or active-duty uniformed-service position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior