Business Development Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Small Business Administration, Office of Field Operations in Richmond, VA. The incumbent provides information on the purpose of the 8(a) Business Development program, the eligibility requirements for participation in the program and explains the application process. Responsibilities As a Business Development Specialist, GS-1101-9/11, you will be responsible for: Under the supervision of a senior staff member the incumbent provides guidance to small businesses to aid in development of small business principles and strategies to enhance their ability to compete successfully for both 8(a) and non-8(a) contracts. Focus on small business concerns eligible to apply for the 8(a) program and other SBA contract certification and business development programs. Research and coordinate training related materials to meet the needs of small businesses and SBA organizations/agencies. Under the supervision of a senior staff member the incumbent coordinates with the Office of Government Contracting Business Development as appropriate to meet compliance requirements. Provide advice/counseling to assist firm in the development of realistic and attainable objectives for their business regarding federal contracting. Provide advice, counsel and guidance in the areas of marketing to federal government and contract administration. Under the supervision of a senior staff member the incumbent provides written guidance to small businesses to aid in development of small business principles and strategies. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Specialized Experience for GS-09: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector: assisting in reviewing, researching and referencing federal procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; and participating in outreach, training, presentations and education on a variety of business management and financial management topics; and providing support to senior staff in promoting an organization's programs and services through outreach and marketing. These qualifications must be clearly referenced in your resume. OR EDUCATION (see EDUCATION SECTION of the vacancy announcement) Specialized Experience for GS-11: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector: reviewing, researching and referencing federal procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; and assisting and coordinating training, educating or developing businesses interested in working with the government or with prime contractors; and promoting an organization's programs and services through outreach and marketing These qualifications must be clearly referenced in your resume. OR EDUCATION (see EDUCATION SECTION of the vacancy announcement)Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's Qualifications web site: General Business and Industry Series 1101 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. TIME-IN-GRADE: If you are a current career or career-conditional federal employee applying for promotion under Merit Promotion you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in positions at the next level lower than the position being filled All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on 02/18/2026. Education If you do not meet the specialized experience requirements, you may also qualify with education. You MUST submit transcripts (official or unofficial) with this application if you wish to qualify based on education. Education Substitution for Specialized Experience (GS-9): Successful completion of a Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR Combination of Experience and Education (GS-9) that when taken as a percentage of the required education and experience total 100% or more. For example, an applicant who has 1.0 full year of Masters level education (i.e. 50% of education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position. Transcripts (official or unofficial must be submitted in support of this response. If selected, official transcripts will be required. Education Substitution for Specialized Experience (GS-11): Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. OR Combination of Experience and Education (GS-11) that when taken as a percentage of the required education and experience total 100% or more. For example, an applicant who has 1.5 full years of Ph.D. level education (i.e. 50% of education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position. APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: 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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Verify School accreditation. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, click on: Foreign Education. Additional Information This is a non-bargaining unit position. This is not a (drug) testing designated position. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Career and InterAgency Career Transition Assistance Programs: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is a program that helps

Created: 2026-02-06