Summary

This vacancy is being filled via the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for a Supervisory Contract Specialist position in the Acquisition located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland.

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).
• 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).
• This announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date the first 150 applicants are received or on September 3, 2026, whichever comes first.
• USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the date you submit your application 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.

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 date you submit your application to complete the assessment.

Additional information

This announcement is issued under the Direct-Hire authority. Consistent with 5 U.S.0 3304(a)(3) and OPM regulations (5 CFR 337 Subpart B) on Direct-Hire: All candidates who meet all the qualification and other eligibility requirements may be referred for consideration. Competitive examining rules providing for rating and ranking and veterans' preference do not apply.

Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

Individuals who have received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment, otherwise known as a buyout, must repay that incentive if they are reemployed by the Federal Government within five years of separation.

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.