No Typical Days for Contracting Officer Gregory Passig

Gregory Passig at the Cliffs of Mohr, Ireland.

What is your name and job title? Gregory Passig - Contracting Officer with the Denver Service Center (DSC).

What experience and education do you have? I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University and have been working on my Master of Business Administration from Webster University. My contracting career started in 1990 when I arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base. While on active duty I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan; Wichita Falls, Texas; Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Anchorage, Alaska and finished at Schriever AFB (Air Force Base), Colorado in 2012. After I retired from active duty I worked in the private sector for Exelis/Vectrus for three years. My first civil service position was as the deputy of the contracting squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. I have been here at National Park Service (NPS) for a little over one year.

What is a typical day like? First there are no typical days. On any given day we can be working on Market Research for the next construction project to making that perfect contract– one modification at a time. Reviewing invoices, attending progress meetings and working with/advising project managers on current and future efforts.

What career advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar path? It's a great job with many different opportunities. Do your best to learn as much as you can and do not be afraid to ask questions. Remember to be flexible, there isn’t always one solution to every question/issue.

What is one of the bigger projects you are working on and what about that project might surprise people? I am currently working on the Kennecott Copper Mine and the 60 mile road back to the site is not the friendliest. While stationed in Anchorage I drove my wife, who was 8 months pregnant at the time, back there just to take pictures.

The great thing about living in Germany for 3 years was the opportunity to travel!