Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Contract Specialist

Department of Defense
Defense Logistics Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

See below for important information regarding this job.

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 for DLA Troop Support.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/20/2025 to 08/24/2025
Salary
$55,052 to - $71,571 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Philadelphia, PA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
DLATrpSptDT-25-12785952-DHA
Control number
843808100

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hiring Authority notice open to the Public.

Videos

Duties

Help
  • The following duties will be performed in a developmental capacity.
  • Attends formal trainings and completes submission of required training forms.
  • Performs developmental Contract Specialist duties in support of procuring a variety of items, materials, and equipment, utilizing manual and automated purchase procedures.
  • Utilizes formal advertising and/or negotiation techniques to procure items awarded.
  • Reviews and evaluates requisitions, bids, and/or proposals, to determine that proper specifications or purchaser descriptions are included in solicitation documents.
  • Creates supporting documentation for solicitations and awards and reviews them for accuracy and completeness.
  • Monitors vendor performance for compliance with terms and conditions of the award and assists customers in resolving award-related problems.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible (https://www.dla.mil/Careers/Join-Our-Team/Benefits/#Work)
  • Security Requirements: Non- 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 bachelor's 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-05 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including time-in-grade (General Schedule (GS) positions only), time-after-competitive appointment, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes:

  • Experience utilizing common business practices and contracting methods to perform procurement functions when the contract actions are well defined and well precedented.
  • Solving practical problems relating to supplies, services, and/or contracting, as they relate to the development of specifications or product quality.- Utilizing basic automated procurement and supply systems to acquire, use, and maintain accurate records.
  • Evaluating simple 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. See http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx. If using education to meet basic qualifications, 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.

Education

Are you using your education to qualify? 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.

Additional information

PaCE: 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.

For Important General Applicant Information and Definitions go to: http://www.dla.mil/portals/104/documents/careers/GenAppInfoDef.pdf

Reemployed Annuitants: This position does not meet criteria for appointment of Reemployed Annuitants. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

Drug-Free Workplace: The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has established a Drug-Free Federal Workplace Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for DLA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with DLA for a period of six months. This policy extends to random testing for the use of illegal drugs by employees who occupy testing designated positions defined as sensitive in Section 7(d) of Executive Order 12564. The Defense Logistics Agency's Drug Free Workplace Plan's drug testing panel includes testing for the following illegal substances: marijuana, cocaine, opiates (codeine/morphine), 6-Acetylmorphine (heroin), phencyclidine, amphetamines (amphetamine/methamphetamine), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone. ADVISORY: By using cannabidiol (CBD) products you are risking a positive drug test result for marijuana.

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)
  • Social Organizations (ACWA)
  • Work Experience (ACWA)
  • Rating (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.

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 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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.