Contract Specialist (6 Month Register)
US Department of Defense - Columbus, OH
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Contract Specialist (6 Month Register) This is an open-continuous announcement with an established initial cut-off date of November 4, 2025. Selected applicants will serve as entry-level trainees in the DLA Pathways to Career Excellence (PaCE) Program performing a series of progressively responsible Contract Specialist functions, along with formal and on-the-job training (OJT). Positions are with Weapons Support - Columbus. Duties The following duties will be performed in a developmental capacity: Procuring items awarded through formal advertising and/or through use of negotiation techniques. Reviewing requisitions to determine that proper specifications or purchase descriptions are included in solicitation documents. Considering financial responsibility of suppliers by evaluating contract performance on previous contracts. Reviewing solicitations and amendments for adequacy and completeness. Monitoring vendor performance for compliance with terms and conditions of the award. Requirements Conditions of employment: Must be a U.S. citizen Tour of Duty: Flexible Security Requirements: Non-Critical Sensitive Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, where reciprocity cannot be applied; unfavorably adjudicated background checks will be grounds for removal. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Bargaining Unit Status: Yes Pre-Employment Physical: Not Required Defense Acquisition Workforce position. Must complete DoD certification and other requirements. See Addtl Info. Qualifications To qualify for a Contract Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support: A. Basic Contracting Requirement: A.) A baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees OR B.) a current civilian employee in DoD or member of the Armed Forces, who occupied an 1102 position, contracting officer position, or comparable military contracting position with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold on or before September 30, 2000 are excluded from the requirements of A.) above. B. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and is directly in or related to this position. In addition to meeting the Basic Contracting Requirement above, to qualify for the GS-07 grade level, specialized experience must be at the GS-5 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. Applicants must meet minimum qualifications and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes: Experience performing developmental and/or recurring assignments in support of a local installation or in a centralized procurement activity Procuring supplies or services primarily through formal advertising or through limited use of negotiation techniques Reviewing requisitions to determine proper specifications or purchase descriptions are included in solicitation documents Contacting technical personnel to resolve questions of applicability of specifications, classifications of terms, or acceptance of substitute items Evaluating bids or proposals for compliance with specifications or purchase descriptions and applicable clauses C. Education Substitution: Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT as supplemental documentation. To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess: a bachelor's degree AND meet Superior Academic Achievement -OR- possess one (1) full academic year of graduate education or law school. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) is based on one of the following: (1) class standing (upper third standing in graduating class); (2) grade-point average (2.95 overall or over the last two years of bachelor's degree -or- 3.45 in your major field or over the last two years in your major); or (3) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of fulltime graduate study. 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. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. The assessments for this job will measure the following Competencies: Educational Experience (ACWA) Mathematical Skills (ACWA) Rating (ACWA) Social Organizations (ACWA) Work Experience (ACWA) ADMINISTRATIVE CAREERS WITH AMERICA (ACWA) ASSESSMENT : The series on this job announcement is covered under the Administrative Careers with America (ACWA) examining program. You must take and pass the ACWA assessment. Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the ACWA assessment) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Open-Continuous Cut-off Information: An initial cut-off date of November 4, 2025 will be used to evaluate candidates for the initial available vacancies. Any application received after the initial cut-off date will only be considered should additional vacancies be received after the initial cut-off date. If additional vacancies are received after the initial cut-off date, ALL applicants that have applied will be evaluated/re-evaluated and ranked as stated within the Evaluation statement in the announcement. Direct Hire Evaluation: Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. This vacancy will be filled through a Department of Defense Direct Hire Authority. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. The rule of Three, Veteran's Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to this vacancy. We will evaluate your application for basic eligibility and to determine if your experience meets the basic qualification requirements described in the announcement. All applicants who meet the qualifications and other basic requirement are eligible for referral and selection consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
Created: 2026-03-10