This position is bargaining unit eligible.
The initial application review cut-off for this job announcement is 100 applications.
The first 100 applications received will be considered first. Applications received after the initial cut-off number (100 applications) may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. If management requests additional certificates, applicants will continue to be reviewed in groups of 100 in the order they applied.
Note: Submitting multiple applications will change the order in which your application is received by the system, the most updated submittal will be logged as the final submission time.
This position is eligible for 100% remote or up to maximum telework.
For Remote, it is preferred selectee reside within a 50-mile radius of a VA facility.
For Telework, selectee must reside within the local commuting distance of our Eatontown, NJ office.
This position is being announced as both Remote and Telework eligible.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Compressed Schedule: May be available with supervisor approval
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Required
Position Description Title/PD#: Contract Specialist/PD44208A
Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary with no special physical demands. Incumbent may be subject to stress due to changed requirements, short deadlines, limited information, and uncontrollable workload peaks.
The purpose of this position is to serve as Contract Specialist within a Procurement Service, an acquisition function in the Technology Acquisition Center (TAC). The incumbent will be assigned the most complex and sensitive information technology contracts of the agency which include contracts valued at over $1 billion and those that may have Secretary and Congressional interest. Other unique instruments include intra/interagency agreements, blanket purchase agreements, contracts with universities, non-profits, as well as research and development contracts.
Major Duties include but are not limited to:
- Drives continuous improvement efforts by incorporating feedback and insights to enhance procurement processes and increase operational efficiency.
- Supports the automation of procurement processes, leveraging technology to streamline workflows and reduce manual workloads.
- Serves as advisor to contracting teams and acquisition review boards and/or committees.
- Serve as a liaison with contract officers to interpret and apply acquisition policy and regulations.
- Perform work associated with procurement policy research, analysis, and interpretation or review of contract actions for compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
- Provide guidance on the solicitation, evaluation, negotiation, administration, award, and/or termination of contracts for the procurement of supplies and services.
- Perform reviews to ensure that documentation supports determinations and findings in accordance with policy.
- Identify alternative solutions and provide risk assessments and suggested management strategies to implement various recommendations to Contracting Officers, Contract Specialist, other team members, and OALC/OPAL/TAC management that enables decision/approval authorities to perform sound, well-informed, and timely decisions.
- Establish priorities and milestones for assigned contracting projects.
- Obtain a Digital Services certification.
At a Department level, the incumbent is responsible and accountable for a nationwide centralized acquisition program to support information technology and other types of highly technical service and supply contracts for the Department of Veterans Affairs and other Government agency activities. The incumbent identifies special training needs, and conducts mentoring and contract training. The incumbent will guide, assist, mentor, and train junior Contract Specialists. The incumbent will be required to possess those requisite skills and experience to effectively deal with an assortment of contract issues at a full performance level.
Starting at $88,520 Per Year (GS 13)