Contract Specialist - DIRECT HIRE

Drug Enforcement Administration•Arlington, VA

About The Position

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Financial Management Division, Office of Acquisition. Its primary purpose is to lead the planning, development, and management of DEA agency-wide regulations. The Contract Specialist independently negotiates with prospective contractors, determines contract types and clauses, supports DEA acquisition system operations, analyzes policy issues related to acquisition, procurement, purchase card, and financial management activities, and leads risk assessment and mitigation for acquisition activities. The position requires completion of mandatory agency training for progression to GS-13 or higher contracting positions, at least four years of contracting or related experience, and a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in specified business-related fields. Applicants must also meet the applicable specialized-experience requirements for the GS-12 or GS-13 grade level. Employment is subject to citizenship, background investigation, security clearance, random drug testing, E-Verify, and other federal employment conditions. The selectee must obtain Federal Acquisition Career–Contracting Level 1 certification within 24 months and submit an OGE-450 financial disclosure statement. The position has a one-year probationary period. Telework may be permitted with supervisory approval, and arrangements and clearance requirements may vary for similar positions. Multiple positions may be filled. Federal employee benefits are available, subject to position eligibility.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Successful completion of a background investigation.
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Subject to random drug testing.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
Meet Selective Service registration or exemption requirements if applicable.
Complete the required probationary period.
Become certified Federal Acquisition Career–Contracting Level 1 within 24 months of assignment.
Submit an OGE-450 financial disclosure statement.
Complete mandatory agency training for progression to GS-13 or higher contracting positions.
At least four years of experience in contracting or related positions, including at least one year of 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 a combination of accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
For GS-12 applicants: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to GS-11, including drafting or reviewing legal documentation supporting contract operations; providing technical assistance and guidance on financial systems; managing acquisition programs; and conducting acquisition compliance reviews and internal assessments.
For GS-13 applicants: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to GS-12, including leading development, review, or interpretation of acquisition documentation; providing authoritative guidance on acquisition systems operations; establishing direction and performance requirements for acquisition programs; and overseeing compliance reviews and internal assessments.

Responsibilities

Independently negotiate with prospective contractors.
Determine the type of contract to be awarded and the contract clauses to be used.
Provide Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support for DEA acquisition system operations, release management, testing, and documentation.
Analyze policy issues identified through reviews of DEA acquisition and procurement operations, the government purchase card program, and related financial management areas.
Lead risk assessment, management, and mitigation for DEA acquisition activities.