Contract Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduates)
About This Position
This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Procurement Officer. All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Qualifications
ELIGIBILITY FOR PATHWAYS RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM: To be eligible for this position, you must be a recent graduate from a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate program from a qualifying educational institution within 2 years of the closing date of the announcement. Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
NOTE: Qualifying educational institution means-- (1) A public high school whose curriculum has been approved by a State or local governing body, a private high school that provides secondary education as determined under State law, or a homeschool that is allowed to operate in a State; and (2) Any of the following educational institutions or curricula that have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education: (i) A technical or vocational school; (ii) A 2-year or 4-year college or university; (iii) A graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or (iv) A post-secondary homeschool curriculum.
After Program completion, Department of Homeland Security Recent Graduates may be converted to a permanent TERM or Career-Conditional position. To be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position, Recent Graduates must: Successfully completed at least 1-year of continuous service
in addition to all requirements of the Program. Demonstrate successful job performance. Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate may be converted. To learn more, please visit: http://www.opm.gov/HiringReform/Pathways/program/graduates/. Recent Graduates hired through this announcement are eligible to convert into positions up to the Full Performance of GS-12 AND
in addition to the eligibility requirement above, you must also meet one of the Basic/Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) criteria below for the 1102 series (Contract Specialist). Basic/Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for Contract Specialist (1102): Degree: 4-year course of study or a bachelor's degree in any major field from an accredited educational institution.
NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts (which supports your response indicating awarded/conferral date) with your application.
OR
Completed 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.
OR
Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade
- However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) presenting information, composing memoranda and meeting minutes; and 2) drafting contract provisions; and 3) evaluating bid responsiveness, contract responsibility and contractor performance; and 4) performing development assignments or segments of larger procurement actions. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by
- Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by
- Add the two percentages. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.After Program completion, Department of Homeland Security Recent Graduates may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service. To be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position, Recent Graduates must: Successfully complete at least 1-year of continuous service
in addition to all requirements of the Program. Demonstrate successful job performance. Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate may be converted.
To learn more, please visit: http://www.opm.gov/HiringReform/Pathways/program/graduates/. Recent Graduates hired through this announcement are eligible to convert into positions up to the Full Performance of GS-12. 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 experience. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Major Duties
In this position as a Contract Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduates) GS 1102 7, your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision: Serving on a team specializing in acquisition to administer previously negotiated and formally advertise contracts. Assisting with requirements planning and the development and review of statements of work. Preparing acquisition documents and obtain legal, financial, and staff review.
Assisting higher-graded staff with the day-to-day administration of acquisition activity. Assuring data in information systems for assigned work is complete, current, and accurate. Recent Graduates hired through this announcement are eligible to convert into positions up to the Full Performance of GS-12.
This is an excepted service appointment under the Pathways Recent Graduates Program.
After successful completion of the program requirements, the individual may at the agency's discretion be converted to a term of career or career-conditional appointment. All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 150 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.
Education
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html .
You must submit a copy of your college transcript. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements.
You must show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Please visit OPM's web site at https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a for additional information on this topic.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Applicant Rating Method: Unranked We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered in the following order: Preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more; Other 10-point preference eligibles; 5-point preference eligible; and Non-preference eligibles (i.e., non-veterans). If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.
Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12958969 Veterans: Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position is not considered scientific/professional.) Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non- preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered.
Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.
Additional Information
This position allows for a flexible on-site and telework schedule, with a minimum requirement that participants work two days in each two-week period on-site. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission.
If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.
This position may be filled at the GS-07 grade level only. Promotion to the GS-09, GS-11, and GS-12 level may occur without further competition. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.
False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Non-Critical Sensitive/Secret as a condition of placement in this Moderate Risk level OR Non-Sensitive/ Suitability risk level position.
This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Multiple selections may be made from this announcement. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Note: If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner.
Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/22/2026. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. To preview the questionnaire please click the link below: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12958969.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login , select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.
You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT be accepted. We strongly encourage you to apply online.
Required Documents
Your resume
NOTE: Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. For what to include in the resume, click on the link: USAJOBS Help Center Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12958969 Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
Prior to appointment, an official college transcript will be required. Are you a veteran? Submit a copy of your Member 4 DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) that shows your type of discharge and character of service and/or documentation of service-connected disability.
Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out the SF-15 (click here for form) and provide the required documentation (e.g. VA letter) listed on the back of the form.
Click here for more veterans' information.