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Supervisory Contract Specialist

Department of Energy
Western Area Power Administration
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Procurement Office (A9100)

Summary

WAPA is seeking a Vice President, Procurement to lead a 50-person team, delivering a $250M full-service procurement program. This is a fast-paced, dynamic procurement leadership role that supports keeping the lights on for 40M Americans, across 15 states. We are seeking a strategic, collaborative leader with an extensive background in Federal procurement.

For WAPA employees, location is negotiable, limited to their current duty station; all other applicants are restricted to Lakewood, CO.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/20/2026 to 03/02/2026
Salary
$147,945 to - $197,200 per year

Salary varies depending on location

Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Lakewood, CO
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational, as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-WA-00255-12891677-MP
Control number
858336400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees with competitive status or other eligibility; Former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles; Veterans with VOW, VEOA, or 30% disability; Military Spouses; Individuals with Disabilities Schedule A; Peace Corps, Vista (AmeriCorps) eligibles; Those eligible under an OPM interchange agreement or other special appointing authority.

Duties

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As a Supervisory Contract Specialist, you will:

  • Formulate, develop and direct WAPA's broad acquisition program encompassing construction, information technology, services, and commodities procurement activities, performed by a cadre of contracting officers and specialists with pre- and post-award contract administration and management expertise.
  • Lead and manage the WAPA Procurement Office, consisting of approximately fifty acquisition professionals through six subordinate supervisors. This involves determining staffing needs, assigning and evaluating work, identifying developmental training, establishing performance standards, and fostering a high-performing and inclusive work environment.
  • Be responsible for the development, dissemination, and maintenance of WAPA-wide procurement program policies and directives. Provides expert guidance and advice to WAPA organizations on Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), procurement laws, DOE directives, executive orders, and policies, and oversees their interpretation and execution throughout WAPA.
  • Oversee WAPA-wide procurement activities, including approval of justifications for other than full and open competition, review and resolution of contractor complaints, and exercises unlimited contracting officer authority when necessary. Develops and maintains critical working relationships with WAPA internal and external stakeholders, higher-ranking management officials, other federal agencies, and the public.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
  • Security clearance and associated requirements-Critical Sensitive/High Risk.
  • The position may require completion of requirements to earn a WAPA unlimited warrant within 12 months of employment.
  • The incumbent is required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) upon entering the position and annually.
  • The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Q level clearance, which includes the ability to successfully pass an initial drug test and continuing random drug testing. This position requires the ability to operate a government vehicle.
  • The employee must be able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and have a valid state driver's license
  • Defensive Driver's Training will be completed upon employment.
  • Total salary varies depending on the location of the position.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

  1. This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) Completion of all mandatory training (FAC-C) prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4 years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.
and
  1. A 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
  2. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.
  3. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-14 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:
  • Interpreting and applying regulations under the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) to resolve complex procurement or acquisition issues; AND
  • Leading and managing a federal acquisition organization providing the full range of contracting services (acquisition planning, contract award, administration, and close out) for a wide range of goods, services, and construction; OR
  • Leading and managing a federal procurement policy and programs organization responsible for providing FAR interpretation, policy analysis and guidance for a large organization, along with managing a variety of federal procurement programs such as government purchase card, procurement systems, small business, and/or acquisition career management.

Selective Placement Factor: Must possess a Federal Acquisition Contracting-Certification (FAC-C) Professional certification via the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI).

Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional GS employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional GS employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current career or career-conditional federal employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Education

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Additional information

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov.
  • Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
  • If selected, you may be required to complete a one-year supervisory probation period.
  • Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.
  • Upon reporting, and annually thereafter, the selectee may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification. These certifications may be subject to public disclosure.
  • The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
  • This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
  • Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

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.

Once the application process is complete, the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the scores provided from the SME resume review or USA Hire Assessment to place you into an initial quality category via OPM's Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified."

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Compliance
  • Contracting/Procurement
  • Leadership
  • Strategic Thinking

All qualified Non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion and VEOA applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified".

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (03/02/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12891677.

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