Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

The Junior Contract Specialist serves as one of several contract specialists responsible for conducting highly specialized highly specialized, mission-critical procurements for DoD. This position provides specialized support across pre-award and post-award contracting functions for complex, non-standard acquisitions ensuring technical, financial, and regulatory compliance from solicitation through closeout.

Roles & Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Serves as Non-Government Advisor to Contracting Officers, Specialists, or Division
• Supports a broad variety of acquisition and contract management related tasks
• Develops acquisition packages: requirements, market research, cost estimates, SOW/specs, strategy
• Prepares/issues solicitations; validate sole-source approvals
• Coordinates technical reviews, audits, and pre-award surveys
• Assesses proposals for compliance and cost/price reasonableness
• Performs cost/price analysis and support/lead negotiations
• Supports or recommend contract awards
• Supports the management of contracts: modifications, options, documentation
• Monitors performance, schedule, deliverables; resolve issues
• Interprets terms; ensures compliance across lifecycle
• Assists with closeout/termination and settlement review
• Supports protests and claims
• Procures for R&D/test/production: services, materials, specialized equipment

Desired Candidate Profile

White Pine Innovations is looking to hire a Junior Contract Specialist to support our Department of Defense customer in Alexandria, VA.

Basic Requirements:

• S. Citizen with current or ability to obtain DoD Secret Security Clearance
• Bachelor s degree in business, contracting, acquisition, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of government acquisition experience with full lifecycle expertise across complex programs
• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and contracting principles
• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul and Executive Order 14275
• Experience supporting federal procurement or contract administration (internship or entry-level acceptable)
• Ability to perform price/cost analysis and support negotiations
• Familiarity with acquisition lifecycle (pre-award through closeout)
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Desired training certs:

• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification
• Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) certification through the National Contract Management Association (NCMA)