Supervisory Contract Specialist

Defense Threat Reduction Agency•Kirtland AFB, NM

About The Position

This position is with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The incumbent leads a contracting branch responsible for planning and executing complex procurements of significant importance to the Agency, including specialized requirements and programs involving diverse contract types with aggregate values in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The position is a GS-1102-15 Acquisition Workforce role in the Contracting functional area and serves as a Contracting Officer with unlimited signatory authority. The incumbent manages and mentors contracting officers and contract specialists, oversees branch workload and performance, and provides technical guidance on contractual and business matters. The role supports customers, improves productivity, helps prevent fraud, and ensures contracting actions comply with applicable laws, regulations, and policy. It manages contracts throughout their lifecycle—from market research and acquisition planning through pricing, solicitation, negotiation, award, administration, and closeout—and directs pre-award and post-award actions, including modifications, changes, options, delays, and claims. The position is full-time, has a flexible tour of duty, and is telework eligible. Occasional travel may be required, and overtime or compensatory time may be needed to meet operational requirements. The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance and is subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing. The role requires professional-tier acquisition certification within three years, a goal of 40 continuous learning points annually, and 80 points within two years as a mandatory requirement. A confidential financial disclosure form (OGE 450) is required.

Requirements

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in Federal service managing contracting functions for operations and research and development efforts.
In-depth knowledge of acquisition regulations, contract procedures, and implementing directives.
Experience overseeing diverse procurement instruments throughout their lifecycle, from developing alternatives and executing orders through administration and closeout.
Experience applying regulatory, statutory, and policy requirements across market research, acquisition planning, cost/price analysis, solicitation, source selection, negotiation, and contract or agreement award.
Experience assigning work to subordinates according to priorities, assignment difficulty, and employee capabilities, and providing workload balance, direction, and vision.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees, subject to the stated DoD GS-1102 exemptions for certain personnel who occupied qualifying positions before October 1, 2000.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
Must complete a background investigation and be suitable for Federal employment.
Must complete a probationary period if required.
Must become certified in the professional tier within three years and acquire the required continuous learning points.
Must submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form, OGE 450, within 30 days of entering the position, annually, and upon termination.
Subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing; must receive a negative initial test result within 30 calendar days after entry on duty.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for or exempt from Selective Service.
Must meet the qualifications and eligibility criteria by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Lead a branch of contracting officers and contract specialists; manage workload, monitor progress, mentor junior employees, and provide performance feedback.
Meet regularly with customers to ensure their needs are met, improve productivity, and help prevent fraud.
Ensure contracting actions comply with applicable statutory, regulatory, and policy guidance.
Serve as a Contracting Officer with unlimited signatory authority.
Act as the branch’s technical expert on contractual and business matters, advising on acquisition strategies, contract types, and pricing.
Manage the full contract lifecycle, including market research, acquisition planning, cost analysis, solicitation, negotiation, award, administration, and closeout.
Develop innovative contract language and terms, and lead pre-award and post-award negotiations.
Direct post-award actions, including issuing modifications, negotiating changes, exercising options, and resolving contractor delays or claims.
Assign work based on priorities, assignment difficulty, and employee capabilities, and provide direction and vision on contractual and administrative issues.