Business Operations Specialist

Summary This notice is issued under direct-hire authority in response to the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act of 2022 for which NIST has a critical hiring need. This announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date the first 100 applications are received or 04/09/2024, whichever comes first. Responsibilities The employee will serve as a Business Operations Specialist for CHIPS R&D. Leads the strategic planning and development of contracting strategies essential to the CHIPS/NIST Program's mission success. Collaborates with NIST Leadership and the Acquisitions Division, establishing procurement priorities that align with program objectives. Engages comprehensively with stakeholders to elicit needs, draft detailed statements of work, and craft contracting packages. Navigates these packages through the acquisition lifecycle independently, ensuring policy compliance and adherence to timelines. Serves as a subject matter expert for program contracts, advising on contract integrity and performance standards. Serves as the principal liaison to a broad spectrum of internal and external entities, including other NIST units, DOC service providers, senior officials, and external agencies, advocating for the program's contracting interests and fostering inter-agency collaboration on contract-related matters. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level (ZA-III at NIST) in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Supporting and coordinating contract work, identifying and resolving issues through proactive work with the contractor and subject matter experts; and Working with teams towards the completion of large and complex equipment purchases that demonstrate a broad working knowledge of contract evaluation techniques and reporting. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done. We will credit all qualifying volunteer experience in your application. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration Education Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position. Additional Information This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS). The APMS is a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Find out more about the APMS here! We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy. Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions. You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY in order to be considered for this position. All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible in order to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A probationary period may be required. This position requires the filing of an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter. We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy. NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as: Telework Flexible work schedules Paid parental leave Paid vacation Sick leave Family-friendly leave Childcare subsidy program for qualifying families Child and elder-care resources On-site childcare center Lactation spaces Wellness programs Fitness center Employee assistance programs