Business Operations Specialist
What you'd do
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Acquisition, Acquisition Management Division, located in one of the following locations: Ashburn, VA Washington, DC.
Major duties
Joining Customs & Border Protection(CBP), Office of Acquisition, will allow you to use your expertise in procurement and acquisition matters to provide expert technical advice and guidance, identify and resolve complex problems, and develop new approaches and policies that improve the acquisition process, supporting the award and administration of CBP contracts and agreements. This position starts at a salary of $143,913.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $187,093.00 (GS-14, Step 10). Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen Homeland Security by providing expert procurement advice and assistance to program officials. In this Business Operations Specialist position you will become a key team member of Homeland Security professionals providing expert procurement advice and assistance to program officials in order to acquire systems, services, equipment, and supplies that support the mission of CBP. Typical work assignments include: Preparing documents required in the Procurement Request package, supporting the Contracting Officer and Program Manager in Pre-award activities and Post Award administration of contracts and interagency agreements. Performing Pre-Award activities which include supporting a Technical Evaluation Team and a Business Evaluation Team in all aspects of evaluating the vendor's proposal and supports the path to a successful outcome. Preparing and executing presentations that are comprehensive, clear, and convincing. Supporting and adopting processes that effect acquisition streamlining. Monitoring the period of performance and establishes schedules to ensure follow-on contracts and Interagency Agreements are awarded on time in order to minimize the use of extensions, bridge contracts and letter contracts.
What you need to qualify
Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Providing advice and instructing officials in day to day operations about procurement regulations, procurement policies and contracting principles, including the latest procedures and techniques sufficient to plan, develop and implement and action to acquire goods and services. Writing and editing documents needed in all aspects of the procurement and contracting process. Providing oral and written communication either through reports and presentations. Identifying and resolving problems in the areas of acquisition and contracting lifecycle. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. 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. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 07/21/2026. 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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.