Contract Specialist Jobs in Colorado

Programmer Lead

Location: U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) – Colorado Springs, CO
Company: Colorado Network Staffing (CNS)
Position Type: Full-Time | On-Site
Classification: Exempt
Salary Range: $90,000–$130,000 annually
Anticipated Start Date: March 1, 2026
Experience Required: 10+ Years

Position Summary

Colorado Network Staffing (CNS) is seeking an experienced Programmer Lead to support Installation Engineering and Installation Management functions for the Civil Engineer Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This position will support a multidisciplinary Architecture and Engineering (A&E) team of more than 50 professionals providing facility management, engineering, planning, and infrastructure support at USAFA.

The program supports an eight-year contract period extending from 2026 through 2034 and encompasses a broad range of facility management services, including planning, programming, design, asset management, construction inspection, energy management, real estate, environmental and cultural resources, space planning, CAD, GIS, cost estimating, and related engineering and installation management functions.

The Programmer Lead will serve in a leadership role within the installation planning team and will be responsible for managing the Facility Asset Management Plan (AMP), coordinating project authorizations, developing project requirements, and supporting the programming of Facility Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (FSRM) and Military Construction (MILCON) projects. This position requires extensive coordination with the Engineering Flight, Civil Engineering Operations Flight, USAFA mission partners, and other stakeholders to ensure facility requirements support current and future mission needs.

Candidates should bring substantial Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) and project management experience, with federal contracting and Air Force Civil Engineering Squadron programming experience strongly preferred.

Essential Functions

Installation Planning & Programming

• Manage the Facility AMP and independently coordinate project authorizations as a lead member of the installation planning team.

• Identify, evaluate, and document facility project requirements to support current and future mission needs.

• Define project scopes for facility sustainment, restoration, modernization, and construction initiatives.

• Coordinate facility requirements with USAFA mission partners, Civil Engineering personnel, and other project stakeholders.

• Support long-range installation planning and facility investment priorities.

• Provide programming expertise throughout the development, prioritization, and authorization of facility projects.

• Assist with documenting facility requirements and obtaining the appropriate authority and resources necessary to accomplish programmed work.

FSRM & MILCON Programming

• Provide advice and assistance to the Engineering Flight in writing, coordinating, reviewing, and processing DD Form 1391 documentation.

• Support programming requirements for Facility Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (FSRM) and Military Construction (MILCON) projects.

• Manage development of DD Form 1391 packages, threshold reporting, and compliance with applicable Air Force Instructions (AFIs).

• Develop and submit project lists associated with:

  • Base Comprehensive Asset Management Plan (BCAMP).

  • Military Construction (MILCON).

  • Unspecified Minor Military Construction (UMMC).

  • Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP).

  • Other applicable Air Force facility programs.

• Support pre-acquisition planning and documentation for FSRM and MILCON projects.

• Coordinate project requirements, programming documentation, authorization requirements, and funding considerations with appropriate stakeholders.

Project Development & Documentation

• Develop detailed project justifications and supporting programming documentation.

• Prepare space requirement calculations, site plans, project scopes, and other required project information.

• Coordinate with Higher Headquarters (HHQ) authorization tools and applicable Air Force programming processes.

• Integrate project funding timelines with anticipated design and construction schedules.

• Review and verify project information for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable requirements.

• Maintain organized project programming records and supporting documentation.

• Ensure facility requirements are clearly defined and supported by appropriate technical, operational, and mission-related justification.

• Coordinate with engineering, planning, asset management, and other technical disciplines during project development.

Cost Estimating & Funding Support

• Develop Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) construction cost estimates using government-provided estimating software or comparable tools such as RSMeans.

• Assist with identifying anticipated project costs and funding requirements during early project development.

• Obtain, review, and verify information necessary to support project justification and funding requests.

• Provide programming support for projects requiring Congressional funding approval.

• Coordinate funding timelines with anticipated planning, design, acquisition, and construction schedules.

• Support development of documentation necessary to obtain project authorization and resources.

Asset Management & BCAMP Support

• Provide technical and programming support for the development and maintenance of the Base Comprehensive Asset Management Plan (BCAMP).

• Work with the Civil Engineering Operations Flight and other USAFA mission partners through the asset management process to identify and develop facility requirements.

• Assist with prioritizing facility requirements based on mission needs, infrastructure conditions, available resources, and applicable programming criteria.

• Support development of projects identified through asset management and long-range facility planning activities.

• Coordinate asset management information with project programming, funding, and authorization processes.

• Assist stakeholders in documenting requirements and identifying the resources necessary to accomplish facility improvements.

Leadership & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve in a leadership role within the installation planning and programming team.

• Coordinate with Air Force personnel, engineers, architects, planners, construction professionals, asset managers, and other stakeholders.

• Provide programming guidance and technical assistance throughout project development.

• Work closely with the Engineering Flight, Civil Engineering Operations Flight, and USAFA mission partners.

• Communicate complex facility, programming, funding, and project requirements to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Facilitate coordination necessary to advance projects through applicable planning, programming, authorization, and funding processes.

• Participate in project meetings, planning sessions, and stakeholder coordination activities.

• Perform additional duties as needed to support installation engineering, planning, programming, and asset management objectives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, preferably Engineering, Architecture, Construction, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) industry.

• Minimum of five (5) years of project management experience at a senior or comparable level.

• Demonstrated experience with facility planning, programming, project development, or related A/E/C functions.

• Ability to define project requirements, develop scopes, and prepare supporting project documentation.

• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders on a daily basis.

• Strong organizational, planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multiple project requirements, priorities, and deadlines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work in person and on-site at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

• Ability to successfully complete and maintain required background screening and federal facility-access requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of Air Force Civil Engineering Squadron programming experience.

• Knowledge of the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC).

• Experience developing, coordinating, and processing DD Form 1391s.

• Experience supporting FSRM and MILCON programming.

• Experience with BCAMP and Air Force asset management processes.

• Knowledge of applicable Air Force Instructions and facility programming requirements.

• Experience developing ROM construction cost estimates.

• Experience with federal contracts and Department of Defense facility programs.

• Experience coordinating with Air Force Civil Engineering Squadrons and installation mission partners.

• Completion of applicable Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) training courses, including:

  • WMGT 331

  • WMGT 417

  • WMGT 423

  • WENG 400

  • WENG 500

Key Competencies

• Air Force Facility Programming

• Installation Planning

• Facility Asset Management

• FSRM & MILCON Programming

• DD Form 1391 Development

• BCAMP

• Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC)

• Project Scope Development

• ROM Construction Cost Estimating

• Capital Planning & Programming

• Project Management

• Funding & Authorization Coordination

• Asset Management

• Technical Documentation

• Stakeholder Coordination

• Leadership & Team Collaboration

• Strategic Planning

• Written & Verbal Communication

Work Environment

This position is full-time and located on-site at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Work will primarily be performed in a professional office and federal installation environment with regular interaction with Air Force Civil Engineering personnel, mission partners, engineers, architects, planners, construction professionals, and other project stakeholders.

The Programmer Lead may also visit facilities, infrastructure sites, construction areas, and other locations throughout the installation to support project development, planning, programming, and coordination activities.

Physical Demands

This position primarily requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods, operate a computer and standard office equipment, review technical drawings and project documentation, attend meetings, and communicate effectively with project stakeholders.

The position may occasionally require walking through facilities, construction areas, infrastructure sites, or other project locations throughout USAFA.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position. Standard work hours will generally align with normal USAFA and project business operations.

Additional or extended hours may occasionally be required to support project deadlines, programming requirements, stakeholder meetings, funding cycles, or other mission needs.

Travel

This position is primarily based on-site at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Local travel throughout the installation will be required to support project coordination, facility evaluations, meetings, and other assigned responsibilities.

Occasional project-related travel may also be required. The position may require occasional operation of a vehicle in support of assigned duties.

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

• Must meet applicable U.S. citizenship requirements associated with the federal contract.

• Must successfully complete and maintain required federal background screening.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain access to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Common Access Card (CAC) as required.

• Must meet applicable federal contract, installation access, and information-security requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Colorado Network Staffing (CNS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

CNS complies with applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination requirements governing recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, compensation, training, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Other Duties

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities associated with the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change based on contract requirements, project conditions, USAFA mission requirements, and client needs.