Contract Specialist

Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction • Vallejo, CA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Construction & Facilities Management provides the Department of Veterans Affairs with expertise in design, major construction and lease project management, design and construction standards, and historic preservation. The office supports delivery of high-quality, cost-effective facilities for the Nation’s veterans, including soliciting general construction contractors, architects, engineers, and other services for requirements typically valued between $30 million and $100 million.

The Contract Specialist applies Federal Acquisition Regulations and contracting principles to plan, prepare, conduct, award, and administer contracts, particularly architect-engineer and construction contracts. The role provides technical advice, guidance, and legal interpretation in contracting matters, communicates with internal and external acquisition customers, and uses electronic contract management systems. The position is primarily sedentary, with recurring construction inspections involving walking, stooping, bending, and climbing.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Ad hoc telework may be available under agency policy; this is not a virtual position. A financial disclosure report is required. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must possess an active Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional) at the time of application.
• Must meet the individual occupational requirements for Contracting Series 1102 positions at GS-13 and above, including mandatory agency training for progression to GS-13 or higher.
• At least four years of experience in contracting or related positions; at least one year must be specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower level.
• A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree, including or supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in an accepted field such as accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management, subject to stated exceptions and waiver provisions.
• For the GS-14 grade level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 is required. Specialized experience must demonstrate the knowledge and abilities needed to perform the position’s duties.
• Submit a transcript if relying on education for qualification; there is no educational substitution at the GS-14 level.
• Complete all required application steps, including the online assessment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• May be required to serve a probationary period, including a one-year period during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Subject to background and security investigation and completion of online onboarding and pre-employment identification requirements.
• Must provide a transcript for qualifying education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Responsibilities

• Apply Federal Acquisition Regulations when preparing requests for proposals and requests for quotes to ensure compliance.
• Oversee planning, preparation, and conduct of pre-solicitation, pre-proposal, and post-award contract functions.
• Prepare award contracts using appropriate contracting language and source selection procedures.
• Review contracts to ensure proper funding allocations and timely payments.
• Analyze acquisition processes, audits, and small-business practices to ensure compliance.
• Assess requests for procurement of complex equipment and services.
• Provide technical advice, guidance, and legal interpretation in contracting matters.
• Use electronic contract management systems.
• Serve as a business advisor to internal and external acquisition customers.
• Lead architect-engineer and construction contract negotiation teams and coordinate complex acquisition actions.
• Plan, develop, implement, maintain, and administer contractual aspects of architect-engineer and construction contract programs.
• Interpret procurement laws, federal regulations, and agency contracting policies to resolve unique issues and develop effective contracting techniques.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• VA may grant newly appointed federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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