Purchasing Agent

Summary This position serves within the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) and supports Veterans through coordination of prosthetic services – durable medical equipment – sensory aids – and clinical supply needs for both inpatient and outpatient care. The role works closely with interdisciplinary clinical teams, Veterans, family members, and community providers to ensure timely delivery of medically necessary equipment and services. Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 05/20/2026. Time‑In‑Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade in any occupation within the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS‑05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑04. 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 and/or education as described below: To Qualify for a GS‑05 Position you must have one of the following:

• 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 acquiring supplies – services – and construction by purchase – rental – or lease through delivery orders and/or small purchase procedures; applying knowledge of commercial supply sources and common business practices related to sales – prices – discounts – units of measurement – deliveries – stock – and shipment for a medical facility:
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). 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 .
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond.

To Qualify for a GS‑06 Position you must have one of the following: - 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: experience performing clerical or assistant duties in support of purchasing and procurement; procuring supplies and services to meet the purchase – rental – or lease needs of an organization; working with medical staff to determine procurement needs and priorities; resolving a variety of shipment – payment – or other discrepancies in support of procurement programs and operations; purchasing various equipment – supplies – and services through the use of a purchase card; and assembling and/or summarizing information from files and documents as required to create reports utilizing automated computerized supply/inventory management systems and Microsoft Office software programs such as MS Word and Excel. For more information on these qualification standards – please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Duties The primary purpose of this position is to function as the Purchasing Agent and performs direct medical supply Purchasing and Inventory Management support to the administrative and clinical services of the VA to initiate the obligation for all related requirements necessary to provide Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services – to include durable medical equipment and supplies directly to Veterans. Advancement to the full performance level will be recommended only after it has been determined that the incumbent meets all regulatory and statutory requirements – is satisfactorily progressing in the training – is successfully performing the currently assigned range of duties as outlined in the target position of Purchasing Agent – GS‑06 and is capable of taking on expanded duties and responsibilities with greater independence. Major Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: The major duties in this position are identified in two categories: Complex purchasing that 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. Performs direct medical supply Purchasing and Inventory Management support to the administrative and clinical services of the VA to initiate the obligation for all related requirements necessary to provide prosthetic and sensory aids services – to include durable medical equipment and supplies directly to Veterans. Work directly with the Veteran – his/her family – surgeon or clinical provider – and community care discharge planning staff. Initiates procurement of all outpatient medical requirements. Account for all expenditures and inventory working between two separate programs – the purchase card and the prosthetics programs. Balances expenditures against obligations between the programs and has the accountability to document all inventory and purchasing actions in the Veteran's medical record and make medical notes to update the clinical provider – PSAS staff – Veteran and his/her family. Reviews for discrepancies or loopholes in lengthy specifications or statements of work that are very detailed – or otherwise difficult to understand. Uses initiative to make or recommend purchases for recurring requirements independently. Performs other duties as assigned. 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‑Friday 8:00am‑4:30pm. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD50010A. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. #J-18808-Ljbffr Veterans Affairs