Contracting

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GS-1102

Position Overview

Contract/Procurement Specialists at the Department of the Interior help to acquire the important supplies and services that support the entire Department. These professionals leverage their extensive business knowledge to solicit, evaluate, negotiate, and award contracts with commercial sources and other organizations so that DOI gets the high quality products and services it needs to meet its mission at the best possible prices and terms.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Education
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
National Park Service
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Office of the Inspector General
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is someone familiar with contract methods, business practices, market conditions, advertising and bid procedures. The ideal candidate will also be an effective negotiator with skill in solving practical problems.

Specialty Areas

  • Contract Specialist

  • Contract Negotiator
  • Contract Administrator
  • Contract Termination Specialist
  • Contract Price/Cost Analyst
  • Procurement Analyst

     

Work Environment

Mostly indoors, in an office setting.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements on the OPM website.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Reviewing and evaluating bids and proposals
    • Discussing procurement needs with customers
    • Researching and obtaining cost/price information
    • Preparing contracting documents

  • Mid:

    • Preparing requests for proposal
    • Monitoring contractor performance
    • Providing guidance to a team evaluating acquisition proposals
    • Reviewing and approving payments
    • Resolving contractor disputes

  • Journey:

    • Developing cost/price analysis procedures and guidance
    • providing technical guidance on procurement activities
    • Supporting policy development and implementation for major acquisition programs
    • Planning and negotiating highly complex purchases
    • Managing internal controls programs

  • Senior:

    • Managing the integration of procurement operations into an effective business program
    • Serving as a senior consultant on major contracting initiatives or policies
    • Managing teams of professionals providing acquisition services

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Strengths by Level

Entry 5-7
Mid 9-11
Journey 12-13
Senior 14-15
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Compliance
    Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • External Awareness
    Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Influencing/Negotiating
    Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Self-Management
    Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

25.5%

Procurement Clerical And Technician

Career Information Coming Soon
21.7%

Purchasing

Career Information Coming Soon
12.3%

Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant

See Position Details
0343 - Management and Program Analysis 4.7%
0802 - Engineering Technician 3.8%
1101 - General Business and Industry 3.8%
1109 - Grants Management 3.8%
0301 - Miscellaneous Administration and Program 3.8%
0318 - Secretary 3.8%
0561 - Budget Clerical And Assistance 2.8%
Less Common Pathways (<2%)

Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."

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