Become a Key Mission Partner: GS-12 Contract Specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard in Norfolk, Virginia

In the realm of national defense and maritime operations, the unsung heroes often work behind the scenes, ensuring that the critical resources, sophisticated technology, and operational vessels required for success are procured efficiently, ethically, and strategically. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) are seeking a highly skilled and analytical business professional to step into the role of Contract Specialist (GS-12) based in Norfolk County, Virginia.

Federal procurement is far more than a transactional job; it is a highly specialized craft that balances statutory compliance, commercial market intelligence, and project management. In this position, your financial acumen and negotiation skills will directly impact the Coast Guard’s ability to execute missions that save lives, enforce maritime laws, and secure American ports. Whether you are an experienced private-sector contracting specialist looking to transition to public service or an established federal employee seeking career advancement, this role offers an exceptional platform to make a tangible national impact.

About the Agency: The U.S. Coast Guard and DHS

The Department of Homeland Security operates with a singular, crucial mandate: to secure the nation against diverse and complex threats. As a core component of DHS, the U.S. Coast Guard stands as a unique branch of the Armed Forces and a premier federal law enforcement agency. Civilian employees within the Coast Guard are vital integration partners, working alongside active-duty personnel to keep vessels sailing, aircraft flying, and communication systems operating globally.

This specific role is stationed within the Surface Forces Logistics Center (SFLC) Industrial Buy Construction Team (IBCT) Procurement Section in the historic maritime hub of Norfolk, Virginia. By joining this unit, you become an essential contributor to a team dedicated to procuring specialized maritime parts, complex IT infrastructure, industrial vessel repair services, and tactical support equipment. The work environment is fast-paced, highly collaborative, and dedicated to the highest standards of professional development, continuous education, and operational excellence.

Job Responsibilities

As a GS-12 Contract Specialist, you will maintain total responsibility for planning, executing, and finalizing complex contractual agreements. Your duties span the entire lifecycle of federal acquisition, demanding both strategic foresight and meticulous attention to detail.

Your primary day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Acquisition Planning and Strategy: Collaborating with technical program offices to define requirements, conducting extensive market research to identify qualified sources, and formulating robust acquisition plans that align with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
• Solicitation Development: Drafting and issuing comprehensive solicitation documents, establishing evaluation criteria, and ensuring all required socioeconomic clauses and legal provisions are incorporated.
• Proposal Evaluation and Negotiation: Reviewing and analyzing complex bids and technical proposals. You will lead formal negotiations on pricing, technical compliance, delivery schedules, and risk-sharing structures to secure the best value for the government.
• Price and Cost Analysis: Performing rigorous evaluations of vendor cost components, overhead structures, and labor rates to determine price reasonableness.
• Contract Administration and Oversight: Monitoring contractor performance through active communication, managing modifications, executing option years, reviewing invoices for accuracy, and leading formal contract closeout processes.
• Warrant Authority: Depending on operational needs and experience, you may have the opportunity to hold a Contracting Officer's warrant, granting you the legal authority to bind the United States government financially.

Requirements

To be considered for this GS-12 position, applicants must meet specific positive educational benchmarks and demonstrate specialized experience. Because federal procurement is a highly regulated discipline, these criteria are non-negotiable.

1. Basic Educational Requirement

Applicants must meet one of the following two options:

• A full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college or university.
• At least 24 semester hours of college-level coursework in any combination of these business-related disciplines: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

Note: You must submit clear, legible transcripts to prove you meet this educational requirement.

2. Specialized Experience

Candidates must possess at least one full year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. This experience can be gathered in either the federal or private sector. Qualified specialized experience must demonstrate your ability to:

• Prepare and issue solicitations with tailored clauses and specifications.
• Conduct detailed technical and cost analyses on bids received to recommend optimal awards.
• Draft final, legally binding contract structures, including complex technical clauses, inspection guidelines, and delivery provisions.
• Review engineering or IT requirements to translate them into clear, actionable purchase descriptions.

3. Administrative and Security Clearances

• Citizenship: You must be a United States citizen.
• Background Check: Must pass a thorough background investigation to establish trustworthiness and suitability.
• Security Clearance: Ability to secure and maintain a Secret clearance.
• Drug Testing: Selection is contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug screening.
• Selective Service: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered or exempt.

Salary Overview and Compensation Structure

This position is classified under the General Schedule (GS) system at the GS-12 grade level. The base and localized salary range for Norfolk, Virginia, ranges from $90,838 to $118,092 per year, depending on step placement and qualifications.

To attract top-tier procurement talent, the Coast Guard may authorize special recruitment or relocation incentives as outlined below:

Incentive Category	Target Audience	Key Requirement
Base Salary Range	All qualifying selected applicants	Determined by federal qualifications and step level ($90,838 - $118,092 per year)
Recruitment Incentive	Candidates newly appointed to permanent federal service	Requires signing and completing a 12-month service agreement with the agency
Relocation Incentive	Current permanent federal employees moving outside their current commuting area	Requires establishing residency in the new geographic area and a 12-month service agreement

Exceptional Federal Benefits

Civilian service with the U.S. Coast Guard provides a comprehensive benefits suite designed to support long-term physical, mental, and financial well-being. These perks rival top-tier private-sector packages:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Choose from multiple premium Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans, alongside dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance programs.
• Retirement Security: Enjoy a three-tiered retirement plan comprising a defined-benefit pension (FERS), Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP is a 401(k)-style investment vehicle with up to a 5% automatic and matching contribution from the agency.
• Flexible Work & Telework: Employees can coordinate flexible work schedules and utilize telework agreements, supporting a healthy work-life balance.
• Paid Time Off: Benefit from 11 paid federal holidays per year, generous annual leave accrual (which increases with years of service), and separate sick leave.
• Development and Tuition Reimbursement: Access extensive professional contracting training programs and potential tuition assistance to support your lifelong career goals.
• Unique Leave Offerings: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more hired after November 5, 2016, are eligible for dedicated disabled veteran leave.

Application Strategy and Critical Tips

Securing a federal position requires strict adherence to submission rules. Avoid common mistakes by following these tactical guidelines:

• Strict 2-Page Resume Rule: The USAJOBS system for this vacancy has a hard cutoff. If your resume exceeds two pages, or if the margins are smaller than 0.5 inches or the font is below 10-point, you will be disqualified instantly. Condense your history to showcase your most impactful, relevant procurement achievements.
• Quantify Experience: Include your exact employment dates (month/year to month/year) and average hours worked per week for every position listed. Failing to include weekly hours can lead to experience not being credited.
• Avoid Plagiarism: Do not copy exact sentences from this job announcement or qualification questionnaires into your resume. Assessment software and HR screeners flags copied text, which will result in your application being removed from consideration.
• Prepare for the USA Hire Assessments: After applying, you will receive a unique link to take online cognitive and behavioral assessments. Set aside at least 3 hours of uninterrupted time in a quiet space to complete these, as your scores are saved for up to a year.
• Original Essays: The application process includes four short-response essay questions (maximum 200 words each) regarding your dedication to public service. Ensure these are completely your own work—the use of AI generation tools is strictly prohibited.

If you are ready to apply your contract management talent to a mission that matters, the U.S. Coast Guard offers a stable, rewarding, and highly prestigious career path. From the coastal ports of Norfolk to global maritime deployments, your work as a Contract Specialist will build the operational backbone of the nation's premier maritime security force. Review your transcripts, refine your federal resume to two pages, and submit your application today to start your journey as a key civilian leader in the Department of Homeland Security.