Enjoy contract work? Like to work the numbers? The Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) COPPER CAP Program prepares college graduates for careers as contract specialists.
As a Contract Specialist trainee, you’ll be assigned to work with professional contracting officers and receive formal on-the-job training in all aspects of contract management. You’ll learn requirements definition, solicitation preparation, price justification, negotiation and award, and administration of contracts.
Contract Specialists meet the Air Force’s requirements for satellites, electronics, and high-performance aircraft, as well as supplies and services necessary for the day-to-day operation of military installations worldwide. As a qualified Contract Specialist, you’ll ensure the proper interpretation of the many laws and regulations imposed by the Federal Courts, the General Accounting Office (GAO), the US Congress, and the American public.
During your formal training program, you’ll work closely with a journeyman level Contract Specialist. Here, you’ll learn to solicit, evaluate, negotiate, and recommend award of procurements; analyze and evaluate cost or price proposals; administer contracts ensuring compliance with terms and conditions; and develop and recommend business solutions to day-to-day contractual challenges.
Basic qualifications for the Copper Cap program include U.S. citizenship with a bachelor's degree and 24 semester hours of business-related courses in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
To apply for the Copper Cap program, you can check open vacancy announcements posted on the USAJOBS.GOV website. You can also attend an on-campus interview session (during fall and spring semesters) at a university where they’re recruiting.
Got any thoughts on military careers in contract administration? Feel free to share them in the comments section.
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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