About this role
Job SummaryThe Purchasing Agent provides administrative and clinical support by initiating obligations of funds for prosthetic and sensory aid services. These responsibilities include supporting the provision of durable medical equipment and supplies directly to Veterans.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/13/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: maintaining regular contact with vendors, contractors, medical center professionals, and staff; making purchases involving specialized requirements and/or commercial requirements; placing orders for a variety of prosthetic and sensory aid devices, medical supplies, surgical implants, and durable medical equipment against established contracts; analyzing prosthetic request forms; and researches information on prosthetic appliances; and familiarity with medical terms used to prescribe/describe equipment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Major DutiesDuties may include, but are not limited to the following: Works directly with the Veteran, their family, surgeon or clinical provider, and community care discharge planning staff. Initiates procurement of all outpatient medical requirements. Reads, understands, and follows VA provider prescriptions/consults/electronic health orders to determine a Veteran's eligibility and entitlement for prescribed equipment. Selects the most appropriate cost-effective source to deliver the items/service most reliably. Takes appropriate action based on the clinical provider's request and the interpreted instructions in the clinical prescription. Obligates purchase orders for equipment and/or supplies, or the rental of services. Monitors requests to ensure completion. Performs independent technical-level purchasing support. Obtains all necessary procurement information to submit acquisition plans and procurement packages for stock and veteran-specific needs. Ensures services are documented by type and duration. Performs simplified purchases, including reviewing the proper purchase hierarchy, which may include open market purchases. Selects the item that is both best for the Veteran and the best value for the government. Performs other similar or related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Work schedule is subject to change based on agency needs. Telework (ad hoc): This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD11378A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.RequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.