Contract Specialist

$125,776

Phoenix, ArizonaFull-timePosted Oct 19, 2026

Against the Phoenix typical range

Job description

Location will be determined based on your current DOI approved duty station location. This position is part of the Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD). The incumbent will be responsible for planning, executing, and administering all phases of the contract life cycle for highly complex, long term, multimillion dollar, multidisciplinary, multi-agency contracts, federal assistance, and interagency agreements.

As a senior contracting expert, this position advises AQD managers and program staff on highly complex, mission-critical acquisitions impacting DOI, IBC, and client agencies. Routine duties include, but are not limited to the following: Serve as Contracting Officer with delegated authority to solicit, negotiate, award, administer, and terminate contracts, to include unique or precedent-setting acquisitions.

Integrate AQD strategic goals and acquisition policy requirements into assigned procurement actions to ensure compliance and mission alignment. Plan, analyze, and execute complex award actions; conduct in-depth compliance reviews; and report findings to management. Develop acquisition strategies and manage formal source selection activities and documentation consistent with policy.

Conduct market research and support streamlined procurement approaches for program offices and potential federal clients. Instills flexibility and adaptability to change within the organization based on fluctuations and changes in workload and/or customer assignments.

ALL APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION MUST POSSESS THE FOLLOWING BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 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 NOTE: You are required to submit your unofficial college transcripts from an appropriately accredited educational institution in order to document completion of the educational requirements for this position.

The unofficial transcripts must be legible and include your name, major, school name/location, course title/number, date completed, grade, number of credits earned, and degree(s) conferred. In the case that your transcripts do not show that a degree was conferred, you may submit your unofficial transcripts AND a copy of your degree certification.

If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to establishing an entrance on duty date. AND At least 4 years of experience in contracting or related positions - 1 year of which is specialized experience or equivalent to work at the next lower level in the Federal service. AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: A current Federal Acquisition Certification

  • Contracting (FAC-C) Professional Certificate A current DoD Contracting Professional Certification At the GS- 14 level, you must meet the following qualification: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is in or related to the line of work of this position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. More specifically, this requirement involves experience in: Coordinating procurement actions to ensure compliance with departmental and customer-specific policies and mission objectives. Preparing and reviewing documentation supporting justifications (e.g., sole source), determinations, and acquisition decision rationales. Conducting pre-award and post-award conferences for complex procurement actions. Guiding customers with acquisitions lacking precedent, including statements of work development, acquisition planning, justification and approvals, and pricing analysis. Using innovative techniques to award complex negotiated contracts and leveraging socioeconomic programs. Developing and recommending contract structures, pricing arrangements, and procurement approaches to resolve critical acquisition issues. Planning negotiation strategies and serving as principal negotiator to achieve agreements in the Government's best interests (technical and cost). Applicants must carefully review the information in the " How You Will Be Evaluated " section for important information and instructions pertaining to the multi-hurdle assessment process for this position. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri. Corps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

This position has a basic education requirement, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Note: PDF Portfolio documents will not be processed or accepted as they appear as a one-page document. Only education from institutions which are accredited or pre-accredited/candidate for accreditation may be used to meet education requirements.

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, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Description copied from U.S. Department of the Interior's careers page. Read the full posting before you apply.

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