Supervisory Contract Specialist (Branch Chief)

Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction•Fayetteville, AR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring a Supervisory Contract Specialist (Branch Chief) for its Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction, VA Office of Procurement Operations. The role performs professional procurement work for supplies and services under the Federal Acquisition Regulations, VA Acquisition Regulations, public laws, and agency policy. The position supervises employees performing work at GS-7 through GS-13 and provides administrative and technical direction to the team. The position is at the GS-14 level. The incumbent must hold Level II FAC-C certification or equivalent and meet eligibility requirements to receive and maintain Level III FAC-C certification within 12 months of assignment. The role is primarily administrative and office-based, with government travel for training, meetings, or customer interactions. Travel to work sites may involve light physical work. The tour of duty is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; compressed or flexible schedules may be available. Ad hoc telework may be authorized, and virtual work may be authorized for eligible current VA employees under the stated conditions. This is not a remote position, and return-to-office requirements apply unless an exception or exemption is approved. A one-year supervisory probationary period may be required.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
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; completion of mandatory agency training for progression to GS-13 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 specified fields such as accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; stated waiver provisions may apply.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, including supervisory work assignment, performance evaluation, and employee guidance; coordinating major assignments or program segments; determining whether contractor work meets contract-compliance standards; and performing a full range of contracting functions for goods and services, including sealed bidding and competitive or noncompetitive negotiation.
Level II FAC-C certification or equivalent, and eligibility to receive and maintain Level III FAC-C certification within 12 months of assignment.
Current Federal employees and certain former Federal employees must meet the GS-14 time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-13 by the announcement closing date.
Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete onboarding requirements.
Government travel for training, meetings, or customer interactions is required.
A resume must include job titles, employer names, hours worked per week, dates of employment, duties, and (for Federal positions) grade; transcripts and other documents may be required to substantiate qualifications.

Responsibilities

Supervise a group of employees performing work at the GS-7 through GS-13 levels, including work assignment and review and administrative and personnel management functions.
Provide the administrative and technical supervision needed to accomplish the team's work.
Distribute team workload and ensure employees complete their assignments.
Review team members' work at various stages for compliance with acquisition regulations, VA/VHA policies and directives, handbooks, information letters, and standard operating procedures.
Establish and communicate staff guidelines and performance expectations through the employee performance management system.
Observe performance, demonstrate work, and conduct performance critiques.
Guide the team in selecting and applying problem-solving methods and techniques, and advise on work methods.
Train subordinates in contract-action methods and techniques and provide or arrange required administrative or technical training.
Serve as a member of acquisition planning teams.
Conduct public bid openings, review bids, and determine the responsiveness and responsibility of the low bidder under sealed bidding procedures.
Administer awarded contracts.
Conduct post-award conferences with contractor and Government personnel.
Perform other duties as assigned.