Public Notice - Contract Specialist (Direct Hire)

Transportation Security Administration•Springfield, VA

About The Position

The Contract Specialist is located in the Mission Support, Contracting and Procurement Division of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security. The role supports Contracting and Procurement’s mission to provide effective and efficient contracting and procurement services that equip the transportation security frontline. The position is at the SV-J pay band, equivalent to GS-14, and is being filled using Direct Hire Authority. The incumbent provides strategic planning and oversight for major acquisitions, ensuring programs and projects meet business needs for timeliness, functionality, efficiency, and effectiveness. The specialist directs contract administration activities, advises leadership and Contracting Officers on policies and procedures, develops solutions to complex contracting issues, and guides staff and project teams. The role also evaluates acquisition processes and contract administration programs for compliance, accountability, and alignment with strategic objectives.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Successfully complete a favorable background investigation; comply with Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable; and submit required financial disclosure.
Comply with education and training requirements and maintain FAC-C Professional requirements.
Four years of progressively responsible experience in contracting or related positions.
At least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-I (GS-13) level in Federal service.
Specialized experience directing contract administration, including contract modifications, contract-change negotiations, resolving contractor delays, performance appraisals, subcontractor surveillance, and claims disposition.
Specialized experience interpreting complex policies and developing new approaches to difficult contracting issues.
Specialized experience planning major acquisitions to meet business needs for timeliness, functionality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Specialized experience mentoring or coaching others in contract execution and contract administration.
Completion of mandatory agency training for progression to GS-13-equivalent or higher contracting positions.
A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree, including or supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in an eligible field: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
Provide FAC-C (Professional) certification or equivalent to meet the training requirements for GS-13 and above.
Applicants relying on education to meet qualification requirements must submit transcripts or an itemized list of college courses with the application.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic planning for major acquisitions and ensure programs and projects meet business needs for timeliness, functionality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Recommend short- and long-range acquisition program activities to senior leadership, including solutions to problems identified through compliance reviews and training to address knowledge gaps and improve COR performance.
Direct contract administration actions, including issuing contract modifications, negotiating contract changes, exercising contract options, investigating and resolving contractor delays, conducting contractor performance appraisals and subcontractor surveillance, and resolving claims.
Serve as a principal technical expert and point of contact for Contracting Officers on implementation of contracting and acquisition policies, directives, and procedures.
Provide guidance and policy interpretations on contract administration issues.
Guide less-experienced specialists, professionals, managers, and administrative support staff, and lead large project or program teams.
Define and develop internal policies and procedures and recommend solutions to complex contracting issues.
Review internal processes and acquisition program activities for transparency and accountability, and lead assessments and evaluations to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, requirements, and strategic goals.