Purchasing Agent

Summary

This position is part of the Department of Energy. As a Purchasing Agent, you will play a key role in supporting innovative energy research by procuring essential commercial supplies, equipment, and specialized services through government purchase cards, purchase orders, and simplified acquisition procedures.

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Duties

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National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) office works to discover, integrate, and mature technology solutions to enhance the nation's energy foundation and protect the environment for future generations. Through forward-looking research and technology development, our team of talented and diverse experts provides technology solutions for today and options for tomorrow.

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At the full performance level, GS-08, Purchasing Agent, you will:

• Evaluate purchase requests and statements of work for commercial items, specialized equipment, and services to ensure specifications are clear and adequate, processing awards through electronic procurement systems.
• Collaborate with Program Coordinators to identify commercial sources, determine required levels of competition, and prepare, issue, and evaluate Requests for Quotations (RFQs).
• Serve as a designated government purchase cardholder, executing micro-purchases, reconciling monthly billing accounts, maintaining compliance records, and handling transaction disputes.
• Audit vendor invoices and payment vouchers against contract terms to verify receipt of goods or services and correct billing charges, resolving discrepancies or forwarding complex issues for resolution.
• Deliver procurement guidance to agency personnel regarding Federal Supply Schedules, vendor catalogs, requisition status, and proper formatting for purchasing documentation.
• Track assigned purchasing workload, independently adjusts daily priorities to meet operational deadlines, and maintains up-to-date knowledge of acquisition regulations and policies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• This position is not remote, the selectee will be expected to report to the duty station(s) listed. If selected, military spouses, veteran caregivers, and spouses of foreign service employees may be eligible for applicable workplace flexibilities.
• Occasional Travel Required
• You will be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of entering the position and annually.

Qualifications

GS-6 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 4 of the following:

• Reviewing purchase requests, product descriptions, or statements of work for commercial goods, services, or equipment to ensure specifications are clear and complete.
• Comparing vendor price quotes, unit costs, delivery fees, and quantity discounts against price lists or cost estimates to determine price reasonableness.
• Utilizing a commercial credit card or purchase card to purchase off-the-shelf items, maintaining transaction logs, and reconciling monthly credit card statements against receipts.
• Contacting commercial vendors orally or in writing (such as issuing Requests for Quotations - RFQs, using blanket purchase agreements, or issuing purchase orders) to obtain price quotes and place orders within simplified purchase thresholds.

GS-7 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 4 of the following:

• Reviewing purchase requests, product descriptions, or statements of work for commercial goods, services, or equipment to ensure specifications are clear and complete.
• Auditing vendor invoices, payment vouchers, and receiving reports to confirm accurate calculations and working with vendors or program staff to resolve routine delivery delays, price variances, or billing discrepancies.
• Utilizing a commercial credit card or purchase card to purchase off-the-shelf items, maintaining transaction logs, and reconciling monthly credit card statements against receipts.
• Evaluating vendor price quotes, unit costs, delivery terms, and trade discounts against price lists or cost estimates to determine price reasonableness and recommend award selection.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must (1) meet all of the requirements as described in this section; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher).

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Additional information

• Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.
• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit:
• Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available.
• Equal employment opportunity policy.
• Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
• Reasonable Accommodation Policy:
• Veterans Information:
• Selective Service Registration:
• The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a
  conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and emailing the form to the Administrative Investigations Program at View email address on click.appcast.io.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.