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CONTRACTS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
AFELM US Space Command

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a functional/technical expert for the Joint Navigation Warfare Center (JNWC) providing expert acquisition management and business acumen for a diverse portfolio of contracts exceeding $450M. Leads stakeholder engagement, cultivating external partnerships, and ensures rigorous quality assurance throughout the acquisition lifecycle for the organization.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/20/2026 to 03/26/2026
Salary
$90,479 to - $139,871 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Kirtland AFB, NM
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
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
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
8Y-AFPC-12917146-232168-BCD
Control number
861961800

Duties

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  • Serves as a functional/technical expert, providing business and industry expertise throughout the acquisition lifecycle for a diverse portfolio of complex projects and programs supporting JNWC's mission within USSPACECOM.
  • Leads the ongoing review and evaluation of JNWC's portfolio progress, ensuring meticulous alignment with the command's strategic vision and evolving goals within the USSPACECOM enterprise.
  • Performs Contracting Officer Representative (COR) duties ensuring seamless communication and collaboration between the Contracting Officer (CO/KO), the Contractor (KTR), and the customer (JNWC).
  • Leads communication and stakeholder engagement initiatives to ensure alignment, transparency, and collaborative decision-making across JNWC, USSPACECOM, and external partners on all aspects of the acquisition portfolio.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
  • The employee may be required to work uncommon tour of duty hours including evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. Overtime may be required.
  • May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
  • The incumbent is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually in accordance with the Joint Ethics Regulation.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain Contracting Officer Representative (COR) certification.
  • Additional Conditions of Employments stated at the bottom of Qualifications section.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Clerical and Administrative Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-11 or equivalent in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes mastery knowledge of laws, principles, policies, and practices of systems acquisition and program management. Mastery knowledge of business, industrial management, contracting procedures, technical concepts, and production practices to evaluate contractor proposals and activities. Mastery knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of the Department of Defense, Air Force, and other entities that govern, interface with, and/or influence the systems acquisition process.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
1. Mastery knowledge of laws, principles, policies, and practices of systems acquisition and program management.

2. Mastery knowledge of business, industrial management, contracting procedures, technical concepts, and production practices to evaluate contractor proposals and activities.

3. Mastery knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of the Department of Defense, Air Force, and other entities that govern, interface with, and/or influence the systems acquisition process.

4. Advanced skill sufficient to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy; negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relationships with diverse groups and executive-level command management.

5. Ability to develop and implement innovative approaches to resolve unusual/difficult issues significantly impacting systems acquisition policies or programs.

6. Ability to plan, organize, lead, and manage critical aspects of research, development, production, and support of subsystems or equipment, and integrate, analyze, and manage a variety of acquisition functions and personnel in support of bringing new capabilities to the operational baseline.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT CONT.:

  • Position is designated special-sensitive and requires the employee obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed.
  • This position has been designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, USSPACECOM, national security, and public safety. Therefore, incumbent is required to: (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and misuse of prescription medication, and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing on short notice.
  • This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). Employee must meet, or be capable of meeting, Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. Pursuant to the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA), and in accordance with DoD Instruction 5000.66, Change 3, this position requires the incumbent to be Practitioner certified at time of assignment or able to acquire Practitioner certification within 60 months of assignment in the Defense Acquisition Workforce (AWF) career field of Program Management. Further, the employee is expected to meet Continuing Acquisition Education requirements, and have the experience commensurate with Practitioner certification. This is a condition of employment and failure to acquire or maintain Practitioner certification may result in an adverse action to include removal from this position.
  • This position is designated as a key position IAW AFI 36-507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations. Incumbents of key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternative for filling of the position during an emergency are not available. This is a Mission-Essential position performing a Mission-Critical-Function which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions.
  • This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions. IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This is an acquisition demonstration project position NH-03 equivalent to a GS-12 to GS-13.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and most recent SF-50 noting position, grade, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.


Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

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