Purchasing Agent

To qualify for this position at the GS-5, you must meet one of the requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires at least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the GS-05 Purchasing Agent – Prosthetics position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level. Specialized experience includes receiving prescriptions and requests for medical equipment and services; maintaining regular contact with vendors, contractors, medical center professionals and staff; utilizing a variety of databases and computer systems; purchasing equipment, supplies and services using an agency/organization purchase card and reconciling charges. (Resume(s) must clearly support the duties and experience required for this position. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.) OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of 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. (Note: Transcripts must be submitted with application.) OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. (Note: Transcripts must be submitted with application.) To qualify for this position at the GS-6, you must meet the requirement listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires at least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the GS-06 Purchasing Agent position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level. Specialized experience includes receiving prescriptions and requests for medical equipment and services; maintaining regular contact with vendors, contractors, medical center professionals and staff; utilizing a variety of databases and computer systems; purchasing equipment, supplies and services using an agency/organization purchase card and reconciling charges, and preparing and submitting reports. (Resume(s) must clearly support the duties and experience required for this position. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Manages Resources Technical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. 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 Management’s website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
This position serves as a member of Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the Prosthetic Service Line under the VISN and will be located at the VA Medical Center in Boise, ID.