Acquisitions Director

Summary

Lead the Indian Health Service's nationwide acquisition program in support of healthcare for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. As Director of Acquisitions, inspire a high-performing workforce, shape acquisition policy, strengthen Tribal and strategic partnerships, and drive timely, cost-effective contracting. Champion innovation, accountability, and responsible stewardship to ensure healthcare teams have the resources they need to serve patients and communities.

Duties

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As Director of Acquisitions, you will serve in the Senior Executive Service and as the IHS Head of Contracting Activity, shaping a nationwide acquisition program that supports healthcare for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. This is an opportunity to drive organizational change, develop strong leaders, and ensure acquisition services advance the IHS mission.

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for IHS acquisitions, aligning policy, resources, and contracting priorities with the needs of healthcare facilities and programs nationwide.
• Lead improvements across the acquisition program by simplifying processes, reducing delays, and holding leaders accountable for measurable results in service, quality, cost, and timeliness.
• Develop and empower acquisition leaders and staff, building a workforce that values sound judgment, collaboration, innovation, and responsive service.
• Advise senior IHS and HHS officials and strengthen relationships with Tribal partners and other stakeholders to resolve complex acquisition challenges and advance shared priorities.
• Direct stewardship of the agency's acquisition portfolio, promoting competition, integrity, and effective oversight while ensuring contracting decisions support patient care and essential operations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period

U.S. Citizenship is required

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This position requires completion of public financial disclosure report

A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period as a newly appointed Senior Executive may be required upon selection/placement.

Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.

Background Investigation Requirement:

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume must include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

1102 Series Basic Requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/

1. 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 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

2. 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. Transcripts must be submitted as part of your initial application.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In addition to the minimum requirements, the following certification is determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of a particular position. Applicants who do not meet a selective placement factor are ineligible for further consideration.

1. Completion of FAC-C (Professional) or legacy FAC-C Level III Certification; OR
2. Completion of DoD Contracting Professional Certification

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume must demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1 - Procurement and Regulatory Expertise

Comprehensive knowledge of Federal acquisition statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures sufficient to provide executive leadership and oversight of an agency-wide acquisition program. Demonstrated ability to develop and interpret procurement policy, resolve complex or unprecedented contracting issues, and ensure compliance, integrity, and responsible stewardship throughout the acquisition lifecycle.

TQ 2 - Strategic Acquisition Leadership and Stakeholder Coordination

Demonstrated ability to lead acquisition strategies across a functionally diverse enterprise and collaborate with senior agency officials, Tribal governments and organizations, Federal agencies, and industry to address complex and high-visibility procurement matters. Proven ability to align acquisition resources with mission priorities, lead acquisition professionals, and achieve measurable improvements in timeliness, cost, quality, and support for healthcare delivery.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or TQs. If submitted, those additional documents will not be reviewed.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

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

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/[redacted]5-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

Salary for Senior Executive Service positions varies depending on qualifications. The annual salary range may be found at the top of this announcement. This position may be eligible for performance bonuses and performance-based pay adjustments.

This position is ineligible for the Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required.

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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.

Benefits

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