Military

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST (CONTRACT SPECIALIST PAE Robotic and Autonomous Systems)

πŸ“ San Diego, California DP-3 $102,246 - $158,062/yr
Posted: Aug 18, 2026 Deadline: Aug 25, 2026

About This Position

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.

Qualifications

Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or DP-02 pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Apply experience in providing business advice to the customer and support to the Contracting Officer in planning, negotiating, and administering contracts of various types and complexities. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/ Preferred Experience: Demonstrated expertise in contracting for advanced technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and autonomous systems.

Knowledge of rapid acquisition techniques, including Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), and streamlined acquisition pathways such as Section 804 Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA). Experience with contracting for emerging and developmental technologies, including the use of innovative contracting methods to address technical and schedule challenges. Strong understanding of Federal, DoD, and Navy acquisition policies, including the FAR, DFARS, and NMCARS, and the ability to apply these policies effectively in the RAS domain.

Proficiency in conducting cost/price analysis and using earned value management (EVM) to assess contractor performance and manage program costs. Ability to develop and maintain acquisition plans, milestone schedules, and risk mitigation strategies for programs with high technical and operational complexity. Strong communication and collaboration skills to coordinate with cross-functional teams, industry partners, and senior leadership in achieving acquisition objectives.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.

Major Duties

You will provide expert contracting and business advice to support the Navy’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) initiatives, from requirements definition to the full lifecycle of acquisition programs.

You will develop and implement innovative acquisition strategies tailored to the needs of RAS programs, enabling the rapid development, prototyping, and deployment of autonomous technologies.

You will execute a full range of pre-award and post-award contracting functions using a variety of complex contracting methods and hybrid contract types (e.g., Cost-Plus, Firm Fixed-Price, Fixed-Price Incentive, and Other Transaction Authority (OTA).

You will formulate acquisition approaches for advanced, emerging robotic and autonomous technologies, balancing cost, schedule, and performance.

You will research, interpret, and apply Federal, DoD, and Navy acquisition regulations and guidance, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and its supplements and non-FAR (other transactions).

You will monitor industry trends and emerging technologies in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and autonomous systems to support the development of acquisition plans and strategies.

You will create and maintain acquisition documentation, including acquisition plans, milestone schedules, and risk management strategies tailored to RAS programs.

You will manage proposal evaluations for complex RAS programs, including cost analysis, price analysis, and technical evaluations, ensuring compliance with regulations and best practices.

You will perform advanced cost analysis, develop profit/fee objectives using weighted guidelines, and lead negotiations with contractors.

You will administer contracts for RAS programs, including modifications, funding actions, and scope changes. Ensure contractor performance aligns with technical objectives and program milestones.

Education

A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.

NOTE: The education requirements listed above apply only to individuals entering DoD GS-1102 positions on or after October 1, 2000. Current civilian personnel in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000 are exempt from meeting this requirement. Current military members who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 or before September 30, 2000 are also exempt from meeting this requirement.

How You Will Be Evaluated

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered.

Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer.

You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation. If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation. If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible/not qualified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. All qualification requirements must be met before being considered for any vacancies.

Additional Information

This announcement uses the Certain Personnel of the DoD direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

This position is in the Personnel Demonstration Project under authority of Title VII of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. The pay schedule and pay band for all Demonstration Project Professional Positions will be DP-1/2/3/4.

This position is eligible for ad-hoc/situational telework at the discretion of management.

This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program. Several vacancies may be filled. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf. Veteran's preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority.

However, if you claim veteran's preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.

How to Apply

Interested Applicants must submit resumes/application packages to: Yello Intake Link: https://navwar.yellogov.com/external/requisitions/s176Rdr3f-HT9OSK-M48Kg Facsimile applications will not be considered. All resumes/applications must be received no later than the close date of this flyer. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages.

Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents, are received, legible, and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.

Failure to submit a complete application package will result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration.

Required Documents

A complete resume is required. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered.

Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments.

Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week if experience was less than full time (35-40 hours per week), and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience.

TIP: A good way to ensure you include all essential information is to use the Resume Builder in USAJOBS to create your resume. Are you claiming membership in any professional organizations, or possession of a license, certificate or credentials? Check the Conditions of Employment section above to see if any are required.

If you claim membership, license, certification, or credentials, you must submit a copy of said document in your application package. Are you using education as a substitute for some or all of the experience requirement? Is there a basic education requirement for this position?

Check the Education section above to see what is allowed and what is required. Any claims you make in your resume or assessment questionnaire regarding education or degrees MUST be supported by submitting with your application official or unofficial transcripts or a list of courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned issued from your school. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application, an official transcript will ultimately be required if you are selected for the position.

You may submit a copy your degree(s) if specific coursework does not have to be verified. Are you a veteran claiming 5-point veterans' preference or claiming sole survivorship preference?

You must submit a copy of your latest DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (any copy that shows all dates of service, as well as character of service [Honorable, General, etc.] is acceptable) OR a VA letter that shows dates of service or service connected disability AND character of service. If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty service, submit a copy for each period of service. If you were issued a DD-215 to amend aforementioned information on the DD-214 you must submit that too.

If you are not sure of your preference eligibility, visit the Department of Labor's website: Veterans' Preference Advisor Are you a disabled veteran or claiming 10-point veterans' preference? If you are eligible to claim 10 point veterans preference you must submit a DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty as described above for 5-point preference.

You must also provide the applicable supporting documentation of your disability (e.g. disability letter from the VA) as described on Standard Form-15 (SF-15). http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf. Are you an active duty service member? Active Duty Service Members are required to submit a statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command.

The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.). Application documents, including supplemental ones, may be shared outside the Human Resources Office. Supplemental documents may contain your SSN, DOB, or personal information of others (e.g., on military orders, marriage certificates).

You may redact this information before submitting; however, if selected, you must provide unredacted originals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST (CONTRACT SPECIALIST PAE Robotic and Autonomous Systems) position at Commander, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWARSYSCOM)?
The salary range for this position is $102,246 - $158,062/yr. This is a DP-3 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST (CONTRACT SPECIALIST PAE Robotic and Autonomous Systems) job located?
This position is located in San Diego, California. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. NOTE: The education requirements listed above apply only to individuals entering DoD GS-1102 positions on or after October 1, 2000. Current civilian personnel in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000 are exempt from meeting this requirement. Current military members who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 or before September 30, 2000 are also exempt from meeting this requirement.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Aug 25, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Secret clearance is required.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.