Contract Specialist (Direct Hire)

Summary This position is located in the Railroad Retirement Board's Office of Administration, Acquisition Management. The incumbent will be responsible for procurement functions involving highly specialized and more complex IT procurements of significant importance to the RRB Modernization Program. This job announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies. This is a non-bargaining unit position. Learn more about this agency Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation May be required to successfully complete a probationary period Must possess Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)-(Professional), in accordance with Office of Federal Procurement Policy requirements; or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Contracting Certification. Must have experience with using Agile Contracting methods. Qualifications Basic Requirement: A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher-level contracting positions, including at least 4-years of experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position. AND B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D. D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision-making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the minimum qualifications below. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service Specialized experience is demonstrated by accomplishment in planning, directing, and administering complex acquisition project assignments that required in-depth knowledge of a wide range of procurement and contracting principles and technical program requirements and techniques performing procurement planning; expert knowledge in using Agile contracting methodologies; advising project personnel on effective implementation and time frames required; developing new or innovative acquisition plans, source selection plans, and contract terms, conditions, or financial arrangement; performing contract administration activities; conducting extensive and sophisticated cost and financial analysis; and serving as lead negotiation for contract modifications. Other Requirements: Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)-(Professional) or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Contracting Certification Experience with using Agile Contracting Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. Education This position has a positive education requirement; therefore, transcripts are required. Please be advised that an official transcript will be required if you are selected for the position. Please include a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) that demonstrates that you meet the education requirement listed above prior to the closing date of the announcement. If you do not include this information prior to the closing date of the announcement, your application will be marked as incomplete unless your SF-50 shows that you were/are already in the 1102 job series. You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here. Additional information INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. You must be determined to be well-qualified for the vacancy to be eligible for special selection priority. After submission of an acceptable application which meets ICTAP eligibility, you will be determined to be well-qualified for a vacancy if your rating places you in the best qualified category. ICTAP eligibles must submit proof of eligibility for special selection priority, such as: a separation notice; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. You must also submit a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) notating your current position, grade level, and duty location, and a copy of your most recent Performance Rating. Click here for more information on ICTAP. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 you are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act; the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency. Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement to be entered into the system prior to its closing. Read more Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.