Contract Specialist

Federal Emergency Management Agency; Emmitsburg (MD); Remote; USD 122,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Emmitsburg, MD seeks a Contract Specialist to manage pre-award and post-award activities, including issuing solicitations, evaluating bids, and negotiating modifications in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and agency policy.

The position covers administration of large, complex contracts with various contracting methods, plus travel and potential telework per FEMA policy.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of pre-award functions and post-award contract administration.
• Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations and agency policy is essential.
• Ability to analyze cost estimates and price proposals and negotiate contract terms.
• Experience monitoring contractor performance and administering contracts.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-award activities: issue solicitations, review bids, assess bidders' capabilities and finances.
• Perform post-award activities: administer contracts, monitor performance, advise on costs and payments.
• Prepare solicitations, analyze proposals, and negotiate with contractors.
• Utilize contract writing tools for acquisitions and agreements.

Skills

Contract management

Federal Acquisition Regulations

Contract negotiation

Cost/price analysis

Vendor communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Contract writing tools

Job description

• Department: Department of Homeland Security

This position is located in Mission Support, Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, Acquisitions Operations Division, National Continuity Branch in Emmitsburg, MD. The ideal candidate for this position has experience writing contracts for evaluating cost estimates, price proposals, negotiating contract modifications, monitoring, and administering contract performance.

Key Responsibilities

What will I do in this position if hired? In this position, you will serve as a Contract Specialist. Typical assignments include: Performing all pre-award functions (e.g., issues solicitation documents, reviews bids, determines financial responsibilities and performance capability for bidders) in compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Agency policy.

Performing all post-award functions (e.g, administering contracts following award, monitoring contractor's performance, advising on payment of costs ) in compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Agency policy. Utilizing contract writing tools for simplified acquisitions, grants, cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, contracts, delivery orders, blanket purchase orders. Preparing solicitation documents, analyzing proposals, and negotiating with contractors.

Using contract methods that include cost reimbursement, cost-plus fixed-fee firm-fixed price, incentive, etc., to procure large, complex systems, programs, or services. What else do I need to know? At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters, and every employee at FEMA has a role in emergency management.

Every FEMA employee has regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities, though not every position requires routine deployment to disaster sites. All positions are subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official position description.

Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically austere and operationally challenging conditions.

Requirements & Education

Positive Education Requirement: This position has a positive education requirement, as outlined in the "requirements" section. You must submit a copy of your transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) with your online application. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide official college transcripts.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S.

college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. Visit the Department of Education's Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.

DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits."

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $121785 – $158322/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-11.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.