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Entry Level Contracting Jobs in Maryland (NOW HIRING)

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Entry Level Contracting information

How to get into entry level contracting work with no experience?

Entry level contracting jobs often require basic skills such as manual labor, familiarity with tools, and a willingness to learn. Gaining relevant certifications, such as OSHA safety training, and starting with apprenticeships or temporary positions can help build experience and improve job prospects in this field.

What is entry level contracting?

Entry level contracting jobs are positions that allow individuals to begin a career in the field of contract management, administration, or procurement. These roles typically involve supporting the preparation, review, and administration of contracts for goods and services. Entry level contracting professionals often work in both government and private sectors, assisting with compliance, documentation, and communication between parties involved in a contract. These jobs require attention to detail, good communication skills, and an understanding of basic contract principles. Most positions require a bachelor's degree, though some may offer on-the-job training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level contracting professional?

To succeed in Entry Level Contracting, you need a basic understanding of procurement processes, contract law, and strong analytical skills, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with contract management systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and, in some sectors, certifications like FAC-C Level I or DAWIA are commonly required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and organizational skills help professionals manage documentation and collaborate with vendors and internal teams. These competencies ensure contracts are handled accurately, deadlines are met, and organizational interests are protected.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level contracting professionals, and how can they be addressed?

Entry level contracting professionals often encounter challenges such as navigating complex regulations, understanding contract language, and managing multiple deadlines simultaneously. To address these, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, and take advantage of training resources offered by your employer. Regularly collaborating with legal and procurement teams can also help you build confidence and ensure compliance. Staying proactive about learning and asking questions will greatly ease your transition into this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Entry Level Contracting vs Entry Level Consulting?

AspectEntry Level ContractingEntry Level Consulting
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some technical skillsBachelor's degree often in business, management, or related fields
Work EnvironmentTemporary projects, on-site or remote, often manual or technical tasksAdvisory roles, client meetings, analysis, and strategic planning
Employer & Industry UsageContracting firms, construction, IT, manufacturingConsulting firms, management, IT, finance

Entry Level Contracting typically involves short-term, technical, or manual work often in construction, IT, or manufacturing sectors. Entry Level Consulting focuses on providing strategic advice and analysis to clients, usually requiring a bachelor's degree. While both roles are entry-level, contracting emphasizes hands-on tasks, whereas consulting emphasizes problem-solving and strategic thinking.

What are the most commonly searched types of Contracting jobs in Maryland? The most popular types of Contracting jobs in Maryland are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Contracting jobs in Maryland? For Entry Level Contracting jobs in Maryland, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Contracting jobs in Maryland look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Contracting jobs in Maryland are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Contracting job openings in Maryland as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Contracting Specialist - Entry Level (Maryland)

National Security Agency

Fort George G Meade, MD โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Contracting Specialist

Contracting Specialists at NSA acquire the technology, services, and supplies that enable NSA's mission. They also work as part of a team that handles a wide range of acquisition tasks to effectively manage the total acquisition requirements of an organization, department, or program in support of NSA's mission. Contracting Specialists at NSA award, administer, oversee, and monitor contracts. Responsibilities may include the following:

  • Conducting market research
  • Preparing and issuing Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and Requests for Quote (RFQs)
  • Evaluating proposals from potential contractors/vendors
  • Negotiating contract terms with selected contractors/vendors
  • Evaluating procurements to ensure compliance with funding, legal, and program requirements
  • Preparing and awarding contracts with supporting documentation in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and NSA policy
  • Administering contracts to include issuing modifications and ensuring payment is issued
  • Solving complex and unique challenges that arise throughout the life of a contract
  • Interfacing with various levels of personnel, management, and organizations throughout the Agency
  • Meeting frequently with vendors and government technical experts to discuss contract cost, schedule, and performance
  • Completing training in federal acquisition to become certified in Contracting under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) within 24 months of employment
  • Utilizing Excel and Word at an advanced level on a daily basis to provide analytic support on assigned contracts
  • Monitoring contractor performance and ensuring services are delivered in accordance with contract terms and identifying opportunities to improve contract performance and reduce contract cost
  • Collaborating with technical experts to establish clearly defined contract tasks; validating those tasks are within the contract scope and cost parameters
  • Generating cost estimates using historical data and future projections in an effort to build accurate and reliable spend plans
  • Serving as part of a Source Selection Team and often times serving as the Source Selection evaluation lead or as an administrative lead/liaison with industry
  • Presenting status updates on expenditures, delivery timelines, and contractor performance to senior executive leadership
  • Partnering with finance and mission experts to ensure long-term contracts are properly funded and contract modifications are approved in a timely manner
  • Forecasting requirements for future contracts and meeting with mission to draft pre-solicitation documents
  • Reviewing contract invoices and collaborating with vendors to resolve any errors or issues prior to payment authorization

This position requires a DAWIA (Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Acct) professional certification in Contracting. A training plan will be put in place to allow the required certification to be achieved within 36 months of employment.


National Security Agency logo

About National Security Agency

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The National Security Agency has big opportunities in business. We've got a budget that compares to that of a Fortune 100 company with one big difference our bottom line is protecting national security. The challenges posed by our foreign adversaries never stop and that means job security for our employees. We need people with backgrounds in accounting, finance, contracting and more to buy the goods and services that ensure mission success. The rewards are amazing excellent work-life balance, specialized training and advancement opportunities are just a few.

Industry

National security and international affairs

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Fort Meade, MD, US

Year founded

1952