Supervisory Contract Specialist, GS-1102-15, FPL GS-15 (MP) at Department of Education Headquarters

About the role

This position is located in the Federal Student Aid, Office of Strategic Acquisition Planning (ENS), Contracts Operations Division (ENSO). The core mission of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) is to administer the federal financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 50 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 50th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first. We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. As a Supervisory Contract Specialist, GS-1102-15, you will be responsible for: Serving as the supervisory contracting specialist who has unlimited signatory authority and an advisor to the business unit in the acquisition process and is responsible for pre-award and post-award functions involving highly specialized procurements of significance and sensitivity. Reviewing negotiation strategies on major procurements and providing direction and guidance as required on a variety of types of contracts. Managing and directing the full range of acquisition planning, negotiations, award, modification, management/administration, and termination of contracts encompassing the full range of diverse and extremely complex types (including the application of new and advanced concepts). Exercising full responsibility in the application of procurement laws, rules, regulations, decisions, and other directives and sound business judgment on all contractual actions for the procurement of information management systems, technical support, and information technology systems and subsystems, and/or highly complex services. Exercising supervisory control over assigned staff twenty-five percent of the time. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews subordinates' work, sets priorities, and establishes schedules for work completion. Assigning work based on priorities, requirements of assignments, and staff capabilities, ensuring timely performance of work and quality standards are met. Selective Placement Factor: You must meet the following selective placement factor: The candidate must hold a current Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C (Professional)) certification or equivalent or meet the experience, education and training to complete the examination to obtain the certification within 12 months of starting the position. Failure to meet the selective placement factor(s) will result in you not receiving further consideration. Minimum Qualification Requirements: You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-15, if you possess the specialize experience, education, or a combination of the two. Specialized Experience for the GS-15: One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-14 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience in the federal service, or equivalent in the private sector, administering a broad range of federal contract methods and techniques, including fixed-price, cost-reimbursable arrangements (e.g., firm-fixed price, cost sharing, cost-plus-incentive-fee, etc.), and special purpose contracts and agreements (e.g., basic agreements, small business innovative research contracts, indefinite delivery contracts, etc.). 2. Experience in the federal service, or equivalent in the private sector, leading, managing, and having complete authority for multi-million dollar contract actions (pre- and post-award procurements). 3. Experience in interpreting high level contracting policies and directives, identifying and resolving problems and mitigating risks with changing program requirements, and providing guidance to assist business units and staff with applying new and or unique approaches to solving acquisition related issues and concerns. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). 1. Knowledge of the principles of acquisition planning and technical or program requirements to plan, manage, make decisions, or recommendations significantly affecting the content, interpretation, or development of complex programs concerning the management of procurement matters. 2. Knowledge of the principles of contract management sufficient to develop and implement a plan to procure multiyear program systems involving successive program stages and mission program stages and mission critical performance objectives and measures. 3. Skill in contract negotiation, contract administration, and contraction termination methods and techniques to initiate, conduct, assess or revise, and/or close-out contractual activities and to meet and deal with high level business, industry, and/or government officials. 4. Skill in applying professional knowledge of the theories and principles of contracting, to manage, direct, and develop critical and complex contracting functions supporting a business unit. 5. Ability to direct and/or oversee federal professional staff, technical employees and directs the work of professional contractors supporting complex contract and procurement administration, quality assurance, and the development, implementation, management and maintenance of acquisition policy and guidelines for FSA. Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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). Current Contract Specialist must provide a copy of their Federal Acquisitions Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional) or equivalent. Applicants must obtain and maintain Federal Acquisitions Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional) within 12 months of the hiring date. Key Requirements: Must be a US Citizen. Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. Must complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check. Must be determined suitable for federal employment. Relocation expenses will not be paid. You may be subject to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period.