Feature Article: USCG Contracting Career Opportunity Program
As part of its efforts to develop contracting professionals, CG-9 has announced the creation of the Contracting Career Opportunity Program (CCOP). The CCOP is designed to provide retirement-eligible Coast Guard personnel with the formal training and work experience necessary to earn Federal Acquisition Institute Contracting Certification (FAC-C) Level II in preparation for a potential transition to the Coast Guard’s civilian contracting workforce.
The CCOP is an integral component of CG-9’s strategy to address its goal to recruit, retain, and incrementally build a multi-disciplined, certified acquisition workforce. Past efforts have shown that a combination of “hiring the experience” and “growing our own” is required for an effective recruitment program. Offering this professional development opportunity for Coast Guard military personnel who have decided to retire from active duty will enhance their contracting knowledge and experience, and help to mitigate potential contracting specialty shortfalls.
As outlined in the recently released solicitation message, the CCOP is a two-year training program targeted to active duty personnel with varying degrees of contracting experience (for example, Chief Storekeepers (SKCs) and Finance and Supply Chief Warrant Officers ((F&S) CWOs)). In addition to SKCs and (F&S) CWOs, other Coast Guard personnel who are currently filling or who have filled administrative, program management, and/or Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) positions are being encouraged to apply. To qualify for the program, applicants must:
- Be completing their current tour of duty in 2010, be eligible for retirement, and have 17 to 27 years of service with the Coast Guard at the time of their application;
- Have a command endorsement and be recommended by their area’s servicing Chief of Contracting Office (COCO);
- Have a bachelor’s degree or at least 24 semester hours in one or a combination of the following areas: accounting, business finance, contracts, economics, industrial management, law, organization and management, purchasing, or quantitative methods;
- Possess contracting or procurement-related business and technical competencies; and
- Possess strong leadership skills.
The CCOP training program will be delivered through formal classroom training, on-the-job training, work experience, mentoring, and supervisory oversight from a certified contracting professional. The training will include rotational assignments and be tailored to the individual participant’s education, training, and experience based on their Individual Development Plan. Participants will gain valuable practical experience in procuring goods and services for the Coast Guard, through exposure to different contracting components, offices, business practices, and work assignments.
To be considered for the program’s inaugural class, candidates must submit their application packages to the CCOP Panel Coordinator no later than May 30, 2009. The Selection Panel will convene on July 13, 2009 to evaluate the applicants. Selected CCOP participants will be assigned and will report to CG-91 at Coast Guard Headquarters in the summer 2010.
Civilian workforce opportunities are also currently available through established programs such as the Coast Guard Career Entry-Level Opportunity (CEO) Program, the Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Professional Program, and the Government-wide Acquisition Management Intern Program. Civilians interested in pursuing a career as a contract professional may apply for these and other professional contracting programs offered by various departments in the federal government.
Questions regarding the CCOP or the civilian programs may be directed to Mr. William Yeager at William.Yeager@uscg.mil or (202) 475-3763.