Are you a graduating student or a recent grad? Join our Pathways Recent Graduate Program! This two-year program offers professional and technical training, mentoring and developmental opportunities.
Location of position: Positions may be filled at any of the listed duty locations.
We are currently filling 54 vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.
Summary
Are you a graduating student or a recent grad? Join our Pathways Recent Graduate Program! This two-year program offers professional and technical training, mentoring and developmental opportunities.
Location of position: Positions may be filled at any of the listed duty locations.
We are currently filling 54 vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.
Recent Graduates: If you completed a qualifying degree, certificate, or industry-recognized credential within the previous two years, you may apply. If you are a veteran who was prevented from applying during the 2-year period due to your military service, you may apply if your degree, certificate, or industry-recognized credential was completed within the last 6 years.
Enrolled students: If you will complete your degree requirements by June 30, 2026 you may apply.
This position is in the Acquisition Talent Development Program (ATD), an entry-level professional career development opportunity for those interested in becoming government contracting professionals. As a Contract Specialist, you will:
Consult with and support internal and external customers, as well as companies that have submitted offers and those currently under contract providing technical advice on contracting matters with guidance from higher graded specialists.
Assist with the reviews and analyzing requests for procurements, revising/assisting with the scope of work, drawings or specifications as necessary with assistance from higher graded specialists.
Performs cost and/or price proposal analyses for firm fixed price and similar contracts; reviews cost breakdowns, direct and indirect costs; identifies costs which are allowable and allocable to determine reasonableness.
Assist with negotiating conventional modifications, determining contract cost changes, price adjustments, progress, partial, and final payments.
Assist with preparing required documentation to explain rationale and methods used in arriving at the final/negotiated price. Assist with responses to inquiries, including formal protest, congressional inquiries, and Freedom of Information Act requests.
US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
If selected, you must meet the following conditions:
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or NonCareer SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Register with the Selective Service, if you are a male born after 12/31/1959.
Serve a two-year trial period, if required.
Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
Signed participant agreement is required for employment under this Program.
Qualifications
For each job on your resume, provide:
the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
number of hours per week you worked (if part time).
If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.
This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.
BASIC REQUIREMENT for Contract Specialist positions:
A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; OR
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.
EXCEPTION: On January 1, 2000, you held a position in the federal service in the GS-1102 series and your position was at grades 5 through 12. You have continually held this occupational series since January 1, 2000.
The GS-07 salary range starts at $51,210 per year. Locality pay will be determined upon selection. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.
To qualify at the GS-07 level: In addition to the Basic Requirements above, all candidates must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience performing routine or developmental contracting assignments such as monitoring contractor performance for compliance with contract requirements, planning or carrying-out pre-award and/or post-award procurement actions, and resolving common procurement-related issues or problems.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the baccalaureate level is fully qualifying at the GS-7 level. To claim SAA, submit documentation of one of the following:
Class standing -- You must be in the upper third of your graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
Grade-point average(rounded to one decimal point) of:
3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum; or
3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during your final 2 years of the curriculum.
Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies.
OR
EDUCATION: 1 year of full-time graduate level education in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
OR
COMBINATION: Combination of experience and graduate level education as described above that, when combined, fulfills the requirements.
The GS-09 salary range starts at $62,640 per year. Locality pay will be determined upon selection. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.
To qualify at the GS-09 level: In addition to the Basic Requirements above, all candidates must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the full range of well defined and well precedented routine and developmental contracting assignments. Procurement at this level include:
Determine appropriate contract vehicles (i.e. purchase orders, blanket purchase agreements, etc...) to plan and carry out acquisition actions;
Evaluating vendor offers for responsiveness;
Identifying excessive or underestimated prices and negotiates prices;
Responding to and resolving common acquisition issues/questions.
OR
EDUCATION:Master's (or equivalent graduate degree) or have completed 2 years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a Master's or equivalent degree. To be creditable, graduate education must be in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
OR
COMBINATION: Combination of graduate education and specialized experience that when combined fulfills the requirements.
Education
Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
Additional information
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.
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 or visit GSA's webpage.
If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.
Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.
Travel expenses associated with interviews maybeapproved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:
Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government
Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee
Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government
Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
Life insurance coverage with several options
Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
Flexible work schedules
Transit and child care subsidies
Flexible spending accounts
Long-term care insurance
Training and development
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will use a method called Category Rating to assess your application. Here’s how it will work:
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), and responses you provide on the application questionnaire. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment. You will be assessed on the following competencies:
Oral Communication, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail, Self-Management.
The results from this assessment are used in ranking applicants. Your answers to the questions will be used to place you in one of the following categories and standard score ranges:
Best Qualified = Candidates scoring between 95 - 100
Well Qualified = Candidates scoring between 85 - 94 (Well Qualified for CTAP/ICTAP)
Qualified = Candidates scoring between 70 - 84
Within each category, veterans will receive selection priority over non-veterans.
Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
Life insurance coverage with several options
Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
Flexible work schedules
Transit and child care subsidies
Flexible spending accounts
Long-term care insurance
Training and development
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. Your resume must contain the following information:
Name, address, telephone number, email address;
Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement.
Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts.
Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.
If you areclaiming veterans preference: (a) DD-214 that shows your type of discharge, character of service and the dates of your active duty service. (b) If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), you must submit documentation that establishes your entitlement in addition to the DD-214:
VA disability rating letter or other official documentation (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
Note: If sufficient documentation is provided to establish 10-point preference, preference may be granted based on the supporting documentation even if the SF-15 is not submitted. If selected, a completed SF-15 will be required prior to appointment.
IF YOU ARE:
Active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
Current or Former Political Appointee: Submit SF-50
Currently pursuing a graduate degree, but you are claiming Recent Graduate eligibility based on a previous degree, you must also include those transcripts.
College transcripts: Your transcripts must show a, b, and c: (a) Proof of recent graduate status (within past 2 years or on track to graduate by June 30, 2026; or within past 6 years if you were prevented from applying due to your military service) (b) Name of your college or university (c) Date your degree was awarded
Certificate: If you received a certificate from a registered apprenticeship programs, (i.e., Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps) or industry-recognized credential only when awarded from a qualifying career or technical education program. Your certificate must show a, b, and c: (a) Proof of recent graduate status (within past 2 years or on track to finish by DATE; or within past 6 years if you were prevented from applying due to your military service) (b) Name of qualifying career or technical education program (c) Date program was completed
If you completed your education outside of the U.S., see Foreign Education information for guidance on what we can accept.
If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.
Superior Academic Achievement: Submit transcripts as described above. If you qualify based on your class rank or honor society membership, submit documentation of it.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.
If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application.
To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.
Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details.
Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).
Need Assistance?
Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays
Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline
You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions.
Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.
GSA, Federal Acquisition Service
Servicing HR Office: TAC Branch E
GSA, Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
After the closing date/deadline:
ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements.
REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes
FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard.
Thank you for your interest in working for the U.S. General Services Administration!
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. Your resume must contain the following information:
Name, address, telephone number, email address;
Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement.
Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts.
Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.
If you areclaiming veterans preference: (a) DD-214 that shows your type of discharge, character of service and the dates of your active duty service. (b) If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), you must submit documentation that establishes your entitlement in addition to the DD-214:
VA disability rating letter or other official documentation (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
Note: If sufficient documentation is provided to establish 10-point preference, preference may be granted based on the supporting documentation even if the SF-15 is not submitted. If selected, a completed SF-15 will be required prior to appointment.
IF YOU ARE:
Active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
Current or Former Political Appointee: Submit SF-50
Currently pursuing a graduate degree, but you are claiming Recent Graduate eligibility based on a previous degree, you must also include those transcripts.
College transcripts: Your transcripts must show a, b, and c: (a) Proof of recent graduate status (within past 2 years or on track to graduate by June 30, 2026; or within past 6 years if you were prevented from applying due to your military service) (b) Name of your college or university (c) Date your degree was awarded
Certificate: If you received a certificate from a registered apprenticeship programs, (i.e., Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps) or industry-recognized credential only when awarded from a qualifying career or technical education program. Your certificate must show a, b, and c: (a) Proof of recent graduate status (within past 2 years or on track to finish by DATE; or within past 6 years if you were prevented from applying due to your military service) (b) Name of qualifying career or technical education program (c) Date program was completed
If you completed your education outside of the U.S., see Foreign Education information for guidance on what we can accept.
If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.
Superior Academic Achievement: Submit transcripts as described above. If you qualify based on your class rank or honor society membership, submit documentation of it.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.
If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application.
To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.
Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details.
Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).
Need Assistance?
Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays
Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline
You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions.
Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.
GSA, Federal Acquisition Service
Servicing HR Office: TAC Branch E
GSA, Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
After the closing date/deadline:
ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements.
REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes
FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard.
Thank you for your interest in working for the U.S. General Services Administration!
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
