Contract Specialist
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.
Responsibilities :
- 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 :
Qualifications :
To qualify for a Contract Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support :
A. Basic Contracting Requirement :
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees ORa 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 activityProcuring supplies or services primarily through formal advertising or through limited use of negotiation techniquesReviewing requisitions to determine proper specifications or purchase descriptions are included in solicitation documentsContacting technical personnel to resolve questions of applicability of specifications, classifications of terms, or acceptance of substitute itemsEvaluating bids or proposals for compliance with specifications or purchase descriptions and applicable clausesC. 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.To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess :a bachelor's degree AND meet Superior Academic Achievement -OR-one (1) full academic year of graduate education or law school.Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) is based on one of the following :class standing (upper third standing in graduating class)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)election to membership in a national scholastic honor societyOne 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.You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated : Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application.GRADUATE EDUCATION : One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that 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 full-time graduate study.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.Position requires DoD Acquisition Contracting (C) / CON, Foundational certification within required timeframes. Selectee must also achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2-years.
For selected applicants new to Federal civilian service, this position does not meet the regulatory requirements for an advanced in hire rate, therefore, pay will be set at the Step 1 of the applicable rate range. For selected applicants who are current Federal civilian employees or have prior Federal civilian service, pay will be set in accordance with applicable pay setting laws, regulations, policies and guidance.
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is committed to maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace. All DLA employees are required to refrain from illegal drug use on and off duty. DLA conducts pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, and random drug testing.