Contract Specialist

**Duties**:
At the entry level of this position, you will:

- Perform pre-award functions involving specialized procurements;
- Perform market analysis to determine availability of product or producer;
- Accomplish pre-award and post-award activities;
- Administer and closeout contracts.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.

One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

You will spend more than 50% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**: Position has education requirements
- see Qualifications/Education section. You must submit a resume and required documents
- EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- If you are selected, a remote work agreement must be completed.

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

LI-Onsite

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

**Qualifications**:
In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

- To qualify for the GS-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as researching and analyzing legislation, regulations, policies and/or methods used in contracting (e.g. Federal Acquisition Regulation); and evaluating the cost/price elements of contracts.- OR 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; qualifying graduate education must be in one or a combination of the fields described in the Education section below
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of contracting procedures to perform pre-award and post award functions involving specialized procurements.
- Knowledge of procedures for solicitation, review, price/cost analysis, negotiation, and administration of contracts.
- Knowledge of federal laws, regulations, and rules sufficient to procure supplies, services, studies, laboratory analyses, or construction.
- Skill in oral communication to advise program officials on adequacy of specifications and statements of work.
- Skill in written communication to prepare a variety of procurement memoranda, forms, and other documents.

Current EPA Employees: In addition to the requirements above, you must have (and will be required to maintain) a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) in Contracting Certification Level I.

Applicants Who Are Not Current EPA Employees: You will be required to obtain and maintain a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) in Contracting Certification Level I.

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.
- If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

**Education**:
You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

1102- Contract Specialist

A bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in You must have a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in any field OR 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.

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