Contracts Specialist - Entry Level

National Reconnaissance Office; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

National Reconnaissance Office is seeking entry-level Developmental Program professionals (GG 7-9) for contracts specialist roles at NRO Headquarters in Chantilly, VA. The position focuses on contract management, procurement planning, and negotiations to support multi-million dollar satellite acquisition projects.

Remote work is not available. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree and obtain DAWIA contracting certification within 36 months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. DAWIA contracting certification required within 36 months.

Responsibilities

• Support management on all aspects of contract management, including formation, solicitation, negotiation, cost analysis, administration, termination and closeout.
• Plan, develop, and establish procurement plans, strategies, and approaches for acquisition projects.
• Prepare statements of work, acquisition plans, source selection plans and solicitation documents.
• Monitor and ensure contractor performance and administer contracts throughout the life cycle.
• Support negotiations and issue contract modifications driven by new technology or updated requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program objectives and competition requirements.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Cost analysis

Procurement planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

DAWIA contracting certification

Job description

WE ARE THE NRO

For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at nro.gov.

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for aspiring professionals (GG 7 - 9) for our entry level Developmental Program for Contracts Specialist, occupational series 1102, at NRO Headquarters in Chantilly, VA. Remote or telework opportunities are NOT available. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

Are you a negotiator? Do you enjoy managing or overseeing complex legal agreements or contracts? Are you a business professional looking for an exciting challenge? Does managing and overseeing multi-million dollar acquisition and procurement contracts for reconnaissance satellite systems to ensure the safety and security of the United States interest you?

This is a full time position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

Who May Apply

• This position is open to the public.
• Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.

What You Will Be Doing

Developmental employees (GG 7-9) with receive training and guidance in the following opportunities:

• Support management on all aspects of contract management, including contract formation, solicitation, negotiation, cost analysis, administration, termination and closeout
• Plan, develop, and establish procurement plans, strategies, and approaches for acquisition projects
• Supports the development of procurement objectives for the program regarding competition and price range; construct the contract vehicle
• Prepare statements of work, acquisition plans, source selection plans and solicitation documents
• Responsible for contract administration functions following award throughout the contract life cycle
• Monitor and ensure contractor performance in accordance with the terms of the contract
• Support negotiations and issue contract modifications driven by technological advances or upgraded operational requirements

What You Need

• Required: a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. Desired degrees are in the following areas: business, finance, management, marketing and economics. Employee must be capable of meeting, the Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the position. The incumbent in this position will be required to obtain and maintain a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Certification in Contracting. The incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 36 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Other Information

• Overtime Statement: May be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Travel Statement: May be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• Financial Disclosure: May be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Geographic Mobility Agreement: May be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
• Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
• Emergency Essential: Certain positions are deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location

Various NRO locations.

Salary

2026 Salary Range for Washington DC Area:

GG-07: $57,736.00 - $75,059.00. A Bachelor’s in a related occupation is qualifying for this level.

GG-09: $70,623.00 - $91,815.00. A Master’s degree in a related occupation OR 1-2 years of relevant experience is qualifying for this level.

**This position is an entry-level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current Federal Government employees for this position. To qualify for the position, Federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG 7-9 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step.Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Privacy Act Notice

Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974