Purchasing Agent
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Vancouver, WA, United States
Summary
This developmental position is located in the Prosthetics & Sensory Aid Service within the Prosthetic Service Line under the VISN 20 Vancouver - WA or Medical Center. The announcement is open‑continuous with positions filled as they become available. The first cut‑off date for consideration is April 21, 2026; subsequent cut‑off dates occur every two weeks.
Qualifications Applicants must meet the Time‑In‑Grade, Specialized Experience, and/or Education requirements within 30 days of the closing date (July 6, 2026).
Time‑In‑Grade : Current federal employees holding a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must meet the following grade‑dependent time‑in‑grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
GS‑5 position: at least 1 year at GS‑3 or higher.
GS‑6 position: at least 52 weeks at GS‑5.
Provide an SF‑50 that demonstrates this time‑in‑grade. If the most recent SF‑50 has an effective date within the past year, submit a supplemental SF‑50 that clearly shows a full year of time‑in‑grade.
Specialized Experience (GS‑5) : One year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS‑4) in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Experience must be documented in the resume with job title, duties, month & year dates, and hours worked per week.
Interpreting prescriptions and requests for medical equipment and services.
Maintaining regular contact with vendors, contractors, medical‑center professionals, and staff.
Utilizing databases and computer systems.
Purchasing equipment, supplies, and services via an agency purchase card.
Reconciling charges and preparing and submitting reports.
Education (GS‑5) : Four (4) years of post‑high‑school education in any field for which a high‑school diploma is the normal prerequisite, acquired at an accredited institution. Transcripts required.
Combination (GS‑5) : At least two (2) years of post‑high‑school education plus specialized experience as described above. Transcripts required.
Specialized Experience (GS‑6) : One year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS‑5) directly related to the duties of a Purchasing Agent. Experience must be documented with duties, responsibilities, and hours per week.
Education (GS‑6) : No educational substitution is available at this grade level.
Volunteer experience (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) that directly relates to the duties may also be counted toward experience.
Physical Requirements Work is primarily sedentary during purchasing functions but may require inventory‑management activities in a warehouse environment, including climbing storage areas. Incumbents must handle items weighing up to 25 pounds and may occasionally visit sites away from the office, including the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Fabrication Laboratory, sometimes wearing protective clothing. Prolonged periods at a computer terminal are required.
Duties
This position involves a multi‑grade career ladder.
Major duties represent the full performance level of GS‑6; selection can be at GS‑5 or GS‑6.
GS‑5: progressively acquire background to perform at GS‑6 level.
Perform technical level purchasing support per the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Veteran Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and Prosthetics directives.
Submit acquisition plans and procurement packages to the Network Contracting Office and upload pertinent documents to the Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS).
Verify vendor information (DUNS, Bradstreet) and ensure each vendor is listed in System for Award Management (SAM) and in good standing.
Track all prosthetic expenditures and associate obligations to individual veterans.
Document services by type and duration.
Complex purchasing: conduct research, analysis, and collaboration to ensure best value.
Routine purchasing: issue purchase orders on established contracts or vendor resources.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Promotion potential to full‑performance level without further competition upon meeting regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements.
Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to full performance level.
Work schedule: Full time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm PST. Telework or virtual not authorized.
No relocation or recruitment incentives.
Critical Skills Incentive, PCS, or other incentives not approved.
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Qualifications Applicants must meet the Time‑In‑Grade, Specialized Experience, and/or Education requirements within 30 days of the closing date (July 6, 2026).
Time‑In‑Grade : Current federal employees holding a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must meet the following grade‑dependent time‑in‑grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
GS‑5 position: at least 1 year at GS‑3 or higher.
GS‑6 position: at least 52 weeks at GS‑5.
Provide an SF‑50 that demonstrates this time‑in‑grade. If the most recent SF‑50 has an effective date within the past year, submit a supplemental SF‑50 that clearly shows a full year of time‑in‑grade.
Specialized Experience (GS‑5) : One year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS‑4) in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Experience must be documented in the resume with job title, duties, month & year dates, and hours worked per week.
Interpreting prescriptions and requests for medical equipment and services.
Maintaining regular contact with vendors, contractors, medical‑center professionals, and staff.
Utilizing databases and computer systems.
Purchasing equipment, supplies, and services via an agency purchase card.
Reconciling charges and preparing and submitting reports.
Education (GS‑5) : Four (4) years of post‑high‑school education in any field for which a high‑school diploma is the normal prerequisite, acquired at an accredited institution. Transcripts required.
Combination (GS‑5) : At least two (2) years of post‑high‑school education plus specialized experience as described above. Transcripts required.
Specialized Experience (GS‑6) : One year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS‑5) directly related to the duties of a Purchasing Agent. Experience must be documented with duties, responsibilities, and hours per week.
Education (GS‑6) : No educational substitution is available at this grade level.
Volunteer experience (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) that directly relates to the duties may also be counted toward experience.
Physical Requirements Work is primarily sedentary during purchasing functions but may require inventory‑management activities in a warehouse environment, including climbing storage areas. Incumbents must handle items weighing up to 25 pounds and may occasionally visit sites away from the office, including the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Fabrication Laboratory, sometimes wearing protective clothing. Prolonged periods at a computer terminal are required.
Duties
This position involves a multi‑grade career ladder.
Major duties represent the full performance level of GS‑6; selection can be at GS‑5 or GS‑6.
GS‑5: progressively acquire background to perform at GS‑6 level.
Perform technical level purchasing support per the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Veteran Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and Prosthetics directives.
Submit acquisition plans and procurement packages to the Network Contracting Office and upload pertinent documents to the Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS).
Verify vendor information (DUNS, Bradstreet) and ensure each vendor is listed in System for Award Management (SAM) and in good standing.
Track all prosthetic expenditures and associate obligations to individual veterans.
Document services by type and duration.
Complex purchasing: conduct research, analysis, and collaboration to ensure best value.
Routine purchasing: issue purchase orders on established contracts or vendor resources.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Promotion potential to full‑performance level without further competition upon meeting regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements.
Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to full performance level.
Work schedule: Full time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm PST. Telework or virtual not authorized.
No relocation or recruitment incentives.
Critical Skills Incentive, PCS, or other incentives not approved.
#J-18808-Ljbffr