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CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Department of Defense
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
DFAS - STRATEGY POLICY AND REQUIREMENTS

Summary

Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) mission is to lead the Department of Defense (DoD) in
finance and accounting by ensuring the delivery of efficient, exceptional quality pay and financial information.

The General Schedule (GS) basic pay schedule may vary by geographic locality. To view pay rates in a specific location visit the Office of Personnel Management pay tables at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/19/2026 to 04/01/2026
Salary
$90,341 to - $121,502 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Indianapolis, IN
Cleveland, OH
Whitehall, OH
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
DFAS-DHA-12911572-26
Control number
861819800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens

Duties

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  • Awards contracts within delegated contracting officer authority or recommend award to contracting officer on contracts outside delegated authority.
  • Incumbent is also accountable for preparing rate and cost adjustments on a contract; redirection of effort on a contract; coordinating time extension for contract performance; incorporating change orders.
  • Determining when costs claimed under cost contracts are allowable.
  • Serves as the principal contact for the contract and represents the agency in conferences with industry, state, and local governments pertaining to the procurement.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen or National
  • Background or Security Investigation - Position Sensitivity and Security Levels may vary and is dependent upon position being filled - see the Additional Information field below for more details.
  • Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
  • Suitable for Federal employment

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements described below.

  • Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.
  • Attach a copy of the highest DAWIA certification in contracting which you currently hold.
You may need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

GS12
: Experience with awarding contracts with evidence of performing market research, or acquisition planning, or price analysis, or evaluations of sources

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.

Selectee must have their Contracting Professional Certification (or be eligible for certification within 36 months of appointment) in the DAWIA Contracting Functional Area. Acquisition workforce employees must achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every two years, in accordance with DoDI 5000.66. Obtaining certification within the allotted grace period and maintaining CLPs before and after achieving certification are conditions of employment. If certification is not received within 36 months of appointment as defined by DAWIA, and training not completed within the established guidelines, the incumbent might be removed from this position. Additional information may be found at: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics.

Additional information

  • All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.
  • Moving expenses will be paid.
  • The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
  • Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.
  • Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA).
  • This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period.
  • Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
  • PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
  • A one year probationary or trial period may be required.
  • We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
  • This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Travel requirement is Seldom.
  • This position is covered by a bargaining unit.
  • Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance.(See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here)
  • The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.
  • Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.

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.

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING.
You will be evaluated on how well your qualifications, as demonstrated in your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses on the application, meet the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement.


Criminal History Inquiries - If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil (this call center group box will be the intake for complaints and will forward to appropriate POCs).

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