Job Description

Duties

This series includes positions that manage, supervise, perform, or develop policies and procedures for professional work involving the procurement of supplies, services, construction, or research and development using formal advertising or negotiation procedures; the evaluation of contract price proposals; and the administration or termination and close out of contracts. The work requires knowledge of the legislation, regulations, and methods used in contracting; and knowledge of business and industry practices, sources of supply, cost factors, and requirements characteristics.

• Vacancies filled under this public notice may have varying levels of promotion potential and supervisory level, if any.
• Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule.

As a Contract Specialist you may:

• Solicit, evaluate, negotiate, and award contracts with commercial organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and State, local or foreign governments for furnishing products, services, construction or research and development to the Federal Government.
• Administer contracts by assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of contracts, including resolution of problems concerning the obligations of the parties.
• Terminate contracts by analyzing, negotiating, and settling claims and proposals.
• Analyze and evaluate cost or price proposals and accounting systems data.
• Plan, establish, or review contracts, programs, policies, or procedures.
• Formulate and administer policies and procedures to ensure achievement of Federal socioeconomic goals, such as those affecting small business, labor surplus areas, and disadvantaged business firms.
• Develop acquisition strategies and direct or manage procurement.
• Provide staff advisory services in one or more of the specializations in this occupation.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.
• The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret DOE "Q" clearance.
• These positions are to be filled under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA - P.L. 117-58).
• Positions are included in the Department of Energy\'s Acquisition Career Management Program. Selectee\'s will be required to meet certification requirements within a period of time (typically 24 months) from the date of placement in the position.
• Positions may be covered by a bargaining unit. Bargaining unit will vary by departmental element, grade, and/or location.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-07: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Assisting in developing solicitation packages that meet all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements in response to the needs of the agency.; AND
• Assisting with the evaluation of contractual agreements within a set timeframe in order to ensure technical protocol.

OR EDUCATION: 1 full academic year of graduate education or law school. OR SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Based on a Bachelor\'s degree that is demonstrated through class standing (upper 1/3 of class); grade point average (3.0/4.0 overall or 3.5/4.0 in major), or election to membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society. OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-09: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Assisting in developing solicitation packages that meet all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements in response to the needs of the agency.; AND
• Assisting with the evaluation of contractual agreements within a set timeframe in order to ensure technical protocol.; AND
• Assisting in pre and post award contract negotiations.

OR EDUCATION: 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D. Graduate Education. OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-11: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Applying acquisition, contract, and procurement regulations to prepare solicitations containing appropriate provisions, clauses, terms, and conditions.; AND
• Evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness and compliance with terms and conditions.; AND
• Coordinating contract/financial assistance actions with appropriate program/project managers to ensure contract information and documentation is accurate, complete, and timely.

OR EDUCATION: 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours), may be used to combine education and experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-12: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness, compliance with terms and conditions, and adequacy of competition.; AND
• Applying acquisition, contract, and procurement regulations to prepare solicitations containing appropriate provisions, clauses, terms, and conditions that communicate the requirements.; AND
• Administering contracts to include contract scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justifications, approval reviews/fair opportunity evaluations, claims disputes, or contract terminations.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-13: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Analyzing, evaluating, approving, or redirecting the strategy, plans, and techniques of pre-award and post-award functions involving highly specialized acquisitions.; AND
• Conducting acquisition planning and contract pre-award functions.; AND
• Administering contracts to include contract scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justifications, approval reviews/fair opportunity evaluations, claims disputes, and contract terminations; AND
• Interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, policies, standards, or procedures regarding contracting issues.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-14: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility p to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Planning, establishing, or reviewing contracts, programs, policies, procedures, and negotiation techniques to conduct contract negotiations and deal with high level business and industry.; AND
• Evaluating or implementing contracting programs.; AND
• Leading or supervising contracting professionals providing contracting services for the acquisition of a wide range of supplies, services and/or construction.; AND
• Contracting experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the full range of pre-award and post award activities utilizing a variety of types of contracts.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-14 level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-15: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility p to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Developing acquisition strategies and directing or managing procurements.; AND
• Overseeing contractual actions and all phases of the contract program.; AND
• Reviewing and analyzing the effects of proposed legislation and other regulations on acquisition programs.; AND
• Serving as an agency technical authority in the areas of acquisition and procurement.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-15 level. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are reviewed.

Education

Basic Requirements for GS-7 through GS-12A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor\'s degree with a major in any field;
OR
B. 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.*Below describes how you can substitute your education for experience at the GS-11 level. At the GS-12 level, in addition to the basic requirements, you must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

• Education substitution for GS-11 positions: Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Qualifying education must have provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position being filled.

OR
A combination of specialized experience and education as described below. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Education may not be substituted for positions GS-12 and above.
Graduate Education: To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position.

Basic Requirements for GS-13 and Above
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 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.

For the GS-13 grade level, the employee must meet the Federal Acquisition Institute Cornerstone on Demand (FAI-CSOD) or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. FAC-C Level III is required to be obtained within: (1) 24 months from the date of hire; or (2) the date the applicant will meet the FAC-C experience standard. For selection at the GS-13 level, certification must currently be held at Level II and obtained at Level III. This position has a positive education requirement. Therefore, you MUST provide documentation supporting any education claims in your application. This documentation can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade. For specific education requirements, please see the Education Requirements.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

If qualifying solely based on education, transcripts must be provided.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
• If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
• This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
• More than one selection may be made under this hiring authority.
• Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
• Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
• Positions may be filled at varying levels of leadership, ie Team Lead, Manager, Supervisor.
• Supervisory positions may require a 1-year probationary period, if not yet completed.
• New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
• Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
• All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don\'t have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
• EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
• Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
• Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
• Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

• 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 windowLearn more about federal 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This position is announced under a government-wide Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Contracting Series positions in the GS- 1102 series. Under this Direct-Hire authority, applicants are required to meet minimum qualification requirements at the grade level(s) of interest. Veteran\'s Preference, Schedule A, Category Rating, and other methods of consideration DO NOT APPLY under Direct-Hire Authority regulations.

Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated \'ineligible\', \'not qualified\', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Administration and Management
• Contracting/Procurement
• Customer Service
• Problem Solving

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (07/17/2023) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11921148.

• 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 windowLearn more about federal 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.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you\'re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you\'re eligible under their policies. To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:
  • Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
  • Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
  • Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
  • Veterans\' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
  Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
  

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  This is a public notice that is open for 3 months.
  
  Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.
  
  The application process is as follows:
  
  • You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
  • To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
  • Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
  • You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
  • In addition to applying to this Job Opportunity Announcement, interested candidates are strongly encouraged to express interest via DOE\'s Applicant Portal. The Applicant Portal serves as a virtual job fair and allows candidates to align their talents with their passion by indicating specific areas of interest within the Clean Energy Corps and DOE.
  You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
  
  To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
  
  If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
  
  If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.
  
  These positions are to be filled under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA - P.L. 117-58). This serves as a public notice for the use of the Direct Hire Authority in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3327 and 5 CFR 330. Under this recruitment procedure, applications will be accepted for each location/ installation identified. There may or may not be actual/projected vacancies at the time of your application.
  

  Agency contact information

  Direct Hire Applicant Inquiries-Questions

  
  
  

  Email

  CEC-Questions@hq.doe.gov
  

  Address

  
  Office of Clean Energy Demonstration
  1000 Independence SW
  Washington, DC 20585
  US

  Next steps

  
  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.
  
  You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.
  
  You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.
  
  A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the Department of Energy from another Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR \xc2\xa7575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.
  
• Fair and Transparent
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

• Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
• Veterans\' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

This job is open to

• 
  

  The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens- This direct hire public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.