Videos

The United States Space Force (USSF) at Los Angeles AFB, El Segundo, CA is searching for a Contract Specialist to support SSC/PK (NH-1102-02 Target 03, GS-5/13 equivalent).

Description:
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the epicenter of acquisition excellence for the U.S. Space Force, responsible for acquiring and developing cutting-edge military space systems. From GPS and military satellite communications to space launch and missile warning systems, SSC's portfolio is critical to national security and global operations. Be a part of a team that's pushing the boundaries of innovation and shaping the future of space capabilities.

The Opportunity:
As a Contract Specialist at SSC, you will play a vital role in acquiring highly specialized research and development capabilities for our nation's critical space programs. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to high-impact, multi-million dollar contracts that directly support the U.S. Space Force mission.

Key Responsibilities:
- Acquisition Strategy: Assist in acquisition planning and develop contractual strategies to support specific program elements, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Contract Management: Solicit, analyze, evaluate, and negotiate contractor proposals for contracts. Manage all phases of the contract lifecycle, from solicitation to closeout.
- Team Collaboration: Collaborate effectively as an integral member of a team of skilled contracting professionals, contributing your expertise and working towards shared goals.
Required Attributes:
We are seeking a highly motivated and results-oriented individual with the following attributes:
- Proactive & Solution-Oriented: Demonstrated ability to anticipate challenges, identify innovative solutions, and take initiative to resolve issues effectively.
- Agile & Adaptable: Comfortable thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapting to evolving priorities.
- Collaborative Team Player: Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
- Strategic & Forward-Thinking: Ability to think strategically, contribute to the development of innovative acquisition strategies, and align contract actions with broader mission objectives.
- Analytical & Detail-Oriented: Strong research and interpretation skills, with the ability to analyze complex information, interpret regulations accurately, and ensure meticulous attention to detail.


Ideal Candidate:
- Progressively responsible federal government contracting experience is required, with a preference for experience at the systems level. Experience within the Department of Defense and/or specifically within space systems acquisition is highly desirable.
- Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution is required.
- Government Contracting Expertise: Basic understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency-specific regulations (e.g., DFARS) is essential. Demonstrated ability to apply contracting principles, policies, and procedures to a wide variety of acquisitions.
- Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills are critical. Ability to effectively communicate complex information to a variety of audiences, including program managers, technical experts, and contractors.
- Technical Skills: Proficient in the use of standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) and electronic contracting systems.



Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of processes and procedures related to program management and strategic planning activities needed to execute projects and/or studies within established financial and time constraints.
2. Ability to encourage new ideas and innovations; manage human, financial and information resources strategically and build coalitions to achieve common goals.
3. Skill in working with customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations
4. Ability to persuade othersto accept recommendations, work toward an agreement, and negotiate mutually acceptable solutions.
5. Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
6. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and determine resource requirements; determine goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinate with other organizations; monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.
7. Ability to identify problems and use sound judgment and decisions to generate and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• May be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "unscheduled telework".
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
• PCS /relocation funding is authorized.
• Financial Disclosure Statement: Yes Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
• This position is part of the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 20 days per year.

Qualifications

DOD QUALIFICATION STANDARD FOR GS-1102 CONTRACTING POSITIONS

This is an individual, single agency qualification standard for Department of Defense positions. This standard implements requirements contained in Title 10, United States Code, Sections 1723 through 1733, as amended by Section 861(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92) and implemented on a policy exception basis by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment memorandum, Exception to 24 Semester Hours Requirement for Contracting Positions, effective and dated August 2, 2020.

Basic Education Requirements for GS-5 through GS-15 (or equivalent) positions:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.

NOTE: The education requirements listed above apply only to individuals entering DoD GS-1102 positions on or after October 1, 2000. Current civilian personnel in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive

Department on or before September 30, 2000 are exempt from meeting this requirement. Current military members who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 or before September 30, 2000 are also exempt from meeting this requirement.

GS-12 thru GS-15

(no educational equivalent)

One year equivalent to at least next lower grade level

Basic Qualification Requirements for Contracting Officer Positions: In addition to meeting, the basic educational requirement as well as the requirements in the table above, applicants must have:

Have at least two years of experience in contracting positions; and

Have completed all contracting courses required for a contracting officer for positions at the level and grade at which the person is serving. Certification at this level is sufficient to meet this standard.

In addition:

Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic education requirements above, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression is qualifying for positions at grades GS-7 (or equivalent) and above. Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.

Basic Requirements for Critical Acquisition Positions: The Secretary of Defense shall designate the acquisition positions in the Department of Defense that are critical acquisition positions, applicants must:

Be eligible for GS-14, or equivalent; and

Hold a bachelor's degree; and

Have completed all mandatory training requirements for Level II or III certification as prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to higher level contracting positions; and

Possess four years of acquisition experience. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower grade level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.

Basic Qualification Requirements for Senior Contracting Officials: A Senior Contracting Official is a position such as a director of contracting, or a principal deputy to a director of contracting, serving in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Office of the Secretary of a Military Department, the Headquarters (HQ) of a Military Department, the HQ of a Defense Agency, a subordinate command HQ, or a major systems or logistics contracting activity in the Department of Defense. Before a person may be assigned to a critical acquisition position as a senior contracting official, the person must have at least four years' experience in contracting.

Waivers: With the exception of Specialized Experience, the component acquisition career management authority may waive any or all of the requirements listed in this qualifications standard with respect to any employee of the Department of Defense if the board certifies that the individual possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated job performance and qualifying experience.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.