AIR FORCE CONTRACTING
Contract Specialists are Mission-Focused Business Leaders
Air Force Contract Specialists are the heart of a complex process relying on sound
business acumen to deliver innovative and strategic business solutions that include
everything from aerospace systems, such as satellites, electronics, and high-performing
aircraft deployed directly to the warghter to commercially available supplies and
services necessary for the day-to-day operations of our military installations.
As mission-focused business leaders, Air Force Contract Specialists are at the forefront
leveraging quantitative skill sets to analyze proposals, negotiate, execute, and
administer contracts to y, ght, and win in air, space, and cyberspace.
Our Missions:
• Systems
• Research and Development
• Test and Evaluation Classied
• Specialized
• Operational
Areas of Expertise:
• Services
• Supplies
• Construction
• Pricing
• Small Business
• Source Selection… the list goes on and on!
Become a Mission-Focused
Business Leader
JOIN
OUR TEAM
DESIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES
Numerous factors such as technology advancement, procurement oversight and reform,
and increased budgetary pressures challenge the ability of contract professionals to
procure the requirements necessary to meet the needs of the Air Force. To meet these
challenges, the Air Force Contract Specialists must demonstrate the requisite skills and
abilities necessary to be the mission-focused business leaders of the Air Force. Some of
these skills and abilities include:
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Aside from the skills and abilities above, the Air Force trains, develops, and empowers the
contracting workforce to be mission-focused business leaders. This training begins with
acquisition and contracting training from a best-in-class defense university. An Air Force
Contract Specialist can also expect individual training and development plans designed to
help them develop the necessary competencies to progress technically, operationally, and
strategically. Civilian development programs such as new employee orientation, resident
and non-resident professional military education, leadership training, and experiential-
focused learning opportunities are also available to expand their strategic and operational
knowledge base.
Mission Focus
Leadership
Business Acumen
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Relationship Management
Contracts/Procurement
SOAR
TO NEW
HEIGHTS
ENTRY LEVEL
• Early empowerment and decision authority (compared to industry)
• The opportunities to be innovative
• A road map to becoming a Contracting Ocer with an unlimited warrant
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
• Leading a team of mission-focused business leaders
• Investing in the development of innovative technologies in support of national defense
• Empowerment to develop and implement novel solutions to complex procurements
SENIOR LEVEL
• Strategic inuence over an Air Force organization
• Shaping the development of a workforce of approximately 8,600 members
• Valuable contributions toward the overall Air Force acquisition mission
RISE ABOVE
EXPECTATIONS
WHAT TO EXPECT THROUGHOUT
YOUR CONTRACTING CAREER…
ARE YOU A SOPHOMORE OR BEYOND?
Consider the Premier College Intern Program (PCIP)
Full-time paid summer internships are available to current college and university
sophomores and juniors, with the possibility of working part-time after the summer.
These positions are oered in many locations around the country.
Our interns work in an actual Contracting Oce, shoulder to shoulder with talented
professionals working on challenging and rewarding projects.
Premier College Internships qualify you for a permanent full-time position once
you complete your degree.
A full-time position will include a career development plan, a great salary, and all
the benets federal employees enjoy.
Requirements:
• A U.S. citizen
• A full-time student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university
• Pursuing a degree in Business or related eld
• Sophomore year or beyond (including master’s students) with one semester remaining
after internship
• Good academic standing (2.95 GPA or better)
• At least 18 years of age
To apply for this amazing program, email PDFs of the following documents to
afpc.[email protected].mil
• Resume (please specify hours per week worked for any jobs listed)
• Copy of “Unocial” Transcript (may be e-transcript)
• Make sure the subject reads: PCIP, (your last name), (your major)
LAUNCH
YOUR CAREER
DEVELOP
YOUR SKILLS
ALREADY HAVE A BACHELOR’S
OR MASTER’S DEGREE?
Become a Copper Cap Intern
This program is designed to prepare college graduates, with at least a bachelor’s degree, for
a career as a Contract Specialist. Copper Cap (COP) interns experience both personal and
professional growth during their three-year program.
They are assigned to work with Contracting Specialists and Ocers to receive formal on-the-job
training in all aspects of contract management, including:
Upon completion, each intern will be oered a full-time contracting position.
Applicants to the COP program must have a minimum of a four-year degree, 24 semester hours of
business courses desired, and a GPA of 2.95 or higher.
• Market Research
• Requirements Denition
• Suppliers & Vendors
• Solicitation Preparation
• Response Evaluations
• Price Justication
• Negotiation & Award
• Contract Administration
• Performance Monitoring
To apply for this amazing program, email PDFs of the following documents to
afpc.[email protected].mil
• Resume (please specify hours per week worked for any jobs listed)
• Copy of “Unocial” Transcript (may be e-transcript)
• Make sure the subject reads: Copper Cap, (your last name), (your major)
BIG BENEFITS
POTENTIAL RECRUITMENT BENEFITS
• Repayment of federal student loans - up to $30,000
• Recruitment Incentive for business-related master’s or greater
• Recruitment incentive of up to 35% of starting salary for high-cost areas
• 100% tuition assistance to complete rst master’s
• 75% tuition assistance to complete rst PhD
• Federal Civilian Benets:
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Similar to a 401K
Federal Employment Retirement System (FERS)
Retirement Pension
Health Benets
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Fitness Program
Ability to use the Base Gym
Paid Fitness Hours
Paid Federal Holidays
Annual and Sick Leave Benets
WE HIRE ONLY
THE BEST
DEVELOPMENTAL POSITIONS
Similar to the Copper Cap Program, there are some Air Force organizations who have
created contracting developmental programs that are also designed to prepare college
graduates for a career as a Contract Specialist. These developmental interns experience
similar personal and professional growth during their program resulting in a full-time Air
Force Contract Specialist position upon successful completion of the program.
These interns also receive all the benets enjoyed by federal civilian employees, however,
recruitment incentives are determined by the hiring unit.
Applicants to local developmental programs also require a minimum of a four-year degree,
24 semester hours of business courses desired, and a GPA of 2.95 or higher.
ALREADY HAVE CONTRACTING
CAREER EXPERIENCE?
Even though the developmental programs exist, there are other programs for individuals
who already have contracting experience. The target grade for most of these positions is a
GS-12 (**Minimum $76,721).
**Additional salary available for many cost areas, please use the following link:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2020/RUS.pdf
BECOME A
MISSIONFOCUSED
BUSINESS LEADER
**Additional salary available for many cost areas, please use the following link:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/
**Salaries updated as of January 2022
PREMIER COLLEGE INTERN PROGRAM
• Undergraduates (minimum 60 credit hours):
Start as a GS-04. **Minimum $32,283
• Graduate Student (minimum 12 graduate credit hours):
Start as a GS-07. **Minimum $44,740
• Complete Program to earn an opportunity to convert to a Copper Cap Intern
COPPER CAP INTERN PROGRAM/LOCAL DEVELOPMENT HIRES
• Come in with a bachelor’s degree:
Start as a GS-07 yr.1. **Minimum $44,740
Promote to a GS-09 yr.2. **Minimum $54,727
Promote to a GS-11 yr.3. **Minimum $66,214
Graduate as GS-12 after yr.3. **Minimum $79,363
• Come in with a master’s degree:
Start as a GS-09 yr.1. **Minimum $54,727
Promote to a GS-11 yr.2. **Minimum $66,214
Promote to a GS-12 yr.3. **Minimum $79,363
WHAT SALARY CAN I EXPECT?
LOCATIONS AT
MORE THAN
BASES AROUND
THE COUNTRY
Base
Joint Base
CONTRACTING CAREER FIELD
FORCE RENEWAL TEAM
We manage allocations and recruiting for Copper Cap and Premier College Interns
Check out what internships are available:
www.AFIntern.com
Find other Contracting opportunities at:
www.AFCivilianCareers.com/Find-A-Job
Email: afpc.[email protected].mil
Address: HQ AFPC/DP2LA, 550 C Street West, Suite 57, JBSA-Randolph, TX 78150
Equal Opportunity Employer. U.S. Citizenship required. Must be of legal working age.
3/2/22
