Supervisory Contract Specialist

U.S. Census Bureau

$90K — $120K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in contracting or related positions, with at least 1 year at a supervisory level
  • Completion of mandatory training for progression to GS-13 or higher-level contracting positions
  • Bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in relevant fields such as accounting, business, or finance
  • Experience managing pre- and post-award activities across various contract types
  • Strong knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations and procedures

Responsibilities

  • Provide guidance on acquisition planning and contract management
  • Lead a team of acquisition professionals through the contract lifecycle
  • Ensure compliance with EEO principles in all personnel decisions
  • Manage all contract-related work, including personnel and budget resources
  • Approve invoices and performance-based incentives

Benefits

  • Comprehensive federal benefits package
  • Access for you and your family to a range of employee benefits
  • Eligibility for benefits varies based on employment type
  • Opportunity to work in a stable government environment
  • Possibility for non-competitive appointments through certain hiring authorities
Full Job Description
Summary

This vacancy is for a Supervisory Contract Specialist position in the Acquisition Office located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Supervisory Contract Specialist, 1102-14, positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Duties

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  • Provides guidance for all acquisition planning, award, support of Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), generation of modifications, invoice approval, determination of performance-based incentives, quality control, and closeout.
  • Leads a team of acquisition professionals in all aspects of the contracting process.
  • Applies Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) principles in hiring practices, training, work assignments, and advancement.
  • Managing all work related to contracts, including planning and assigning work and managing personnel and budget resources.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • U.S. Citizen.
  • Suitable for Federal employment.
  • Registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
  • Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by closing date.
  • A supervisory probationary period may be required.
  • This is a NON-BARGAINING unit position.
  • You may be required to complete a financial disclosure (OGE-450).
  • A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours (2 days) from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.


Qualifications

Basic Requirement:

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' 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 successfully perform the work of the position.

and

B. 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.

C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.

D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision-making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

and

Specialized Experience: For the GS-14, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes:

- Monitoring procurement activities to ensure meeting acceptable timelines, quality and cost effectiveness;

- Serving as a subject matter expert (SME) on procurement related activities and providing advisory services to customers on major acquisition issues;

- Interpreting and applying Federal Acquisition Regulations, policies and procedures as they related to organizational and other federal acquisition activities; and

- Managing highly complex pre- and post-award activities associated with a variety of contract types.

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer.

Education: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 07/14/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Additional information

Applicants who apply under this Job Opportunity Announcement may opt-in (at their request) to allow the sharing of their resume, and other associated documents with other Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureaus/Offices who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade and pay band (or its equivalent), and full performance level in the same duty location or commuting area of the duty location listed on the Job Opportunity Announcement.

Additionally, the following link provides information on the hiring authority that may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.

  • CTAP


Benefits

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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.

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.

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