Purchasing Agent

Duties include but may not be limited to the following:

• Perform technical level purchasing support adhering to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Veteran Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) Veteran Health Administration (VHA) and Prosthetics directives and handbooks Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) policy and station memorandums to acquire Veteran specific medical equipment supplies and services based on a medical providers clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veterans medical condition.
• Submits Acquisition Plans and Procurement Packages for stock and veteran specific needs to the Network Contracting Office and uploads quotes bids invoices consults and other important documents to Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS).
• Verifies Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and Bradstreet information and ensures each vendor is in System for Award Management (SAM) and in good standing with the government to do business with.
• Verifies accountability of all prosthetics expenditures in both the purchase menu and the prosthetics program and associate all obligations to the individual veteran.
• Ensure the services provides are documented not only as the type of service but the duration.
• Complex purchasing: requires irregular research analysis collaboration and many other steps to ensure both best value and the most appropriate devices are purchased for the Veterans.
• Routine purchasing: includes routine purchase orders on established contracts or through established vendor resources using regular significant research analysis or collaboration.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory qualification and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm; Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Telework: Ad-hoc Only.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PDS0101A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification 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 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 or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 02/06/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: For a GS-05 position Candidates may be advanced without time restriction to position is up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest non-temporary competitive appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education s described below:

GS-05 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to:

• Interpret prescriptions and requests for medical equipment and services
• Maintain regular contact and resolve issues with vendors contractors medical center professionals and staff
• Utilize a variety of databases electronic contracting systems and computer applications
• Submit plans and procurement packages to contracting offices
• Purchase equipment supplies and services using an agency/organization purchase card
• Reconcile charges and prepare and submit reports

OR

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed four (4) years above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. (This education must have been obtained in an accredited business secretarial or technical school junior college college or university.)(Transcript required).

OR

• Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must Possess the equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education beyond two (2) years and specialized experience as described above that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this Purchasing Agent position. (transcript required)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Computer Skills
• Contracting/Procurement
• Customer Service
• Problem Solving

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary when conducing purchasing functions for PSAS however while conducting inventory management functions the incumbent may work comfortably in a warehouse environment sitting standing walking bending lifting carrying retrieving and managing inventory. Prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal is required. Ability to retrieve equipment from a storage room is required. Climbing associated with stocking of equipment and other items in storage areas is necessary. Incumbent may carry/lift items weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Normal safety precautions are adequate. The work involves moderate discomfort when visiting sites away from the office. At times the employee may be required to wear protective clothing when visiting the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Fabrication Laboratory. Often walking between the main medical center and other parts of Prosthetics to conduct professional duties.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at