Supervisory Contract Specialist (Branch Chief)

About the Role

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Acquisition, Air Operations Branch. Available locations include:

• Washington, DC
• Indianapolis, IN
• Ashburn, VA

As a Supervisory Contract Specialist (Branch Chief), you will serve as an expert and authoritative advisor on complex procurement issues, providing leadership direction and supervision to contracting professionals.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and oversee the activities of the branch.
• Exercise supervisory personnel management responsibilities.
• Serve as spokesperson for assigned programs and deliver presentations.
• Participate in special projects, initiatives, and perform special assignments.
• Implement, manage, and evaluate procurement programs.
• Plan, develop, and establish contractual strategy, including preparing and reviewing policies.
• Monitor and direct the full range of contract administration actions for the acquisition program.
• Direct, coordinate, and oversee work of subordinate staff.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details apply).
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• You may be required to pass a background investigation.
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• Your conduct will be subject to government ethics standards and criminal conflict of interest statutes.
• Financial disclosure is required.
• This position is not covered under a bargaining unit.

DHS uses E-Verify to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

Qualifications

Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation to show you meet the following:

• A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher-level contracting positions, including at least 4 years of experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower level.
• B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
• C. Exceptions apply for employees in GS-1102 positions as of January 1, 2000, or those in equivalent roles.

Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Implementing, managing, and evaluating procurement programs.
• Planning, developing, and establishing contractual strategy, including preparing and reviewing policies.
• Monitoring and directing contract administration actions for acquisition programs.
• Directing, coordinating, and overseeing work of subordinate staff.

Experience includes paid and unpaid work, such as volunteer experience through National Service programs or other organizations.

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $147,945.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $192,331.00 (GS-15, Step 10).

Additional Information

• All employees new to the federal government must serve a one-year probationary period.
• You may be required to serve an 18-month supervisory probationary period upon appointment.
• All newly appointed, permanent GS-15s must complete mandatory leadership training, including 5 weeks of in-residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV.
• This position requires completion of the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional) Program.
• DHS encourages persons with disabilities, including disabled veterans, to apply.

The vacancy includes four short, free-response essay questions (200 words or less each) to highlight your dedication to public service.