This position serves as a Purchasing Agent for the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) at the Veteran Affairs Health Care System (VA HCS) in Long Beach, CA.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/21/2025. 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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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: GS-5 Qualifications: 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: Ability to interpret oral and written instructions. Knowledge of contracts, purchasing policies, equipment sources, trade policies, shipping procedures and the corresponding terminology. Knowledge for troubleshooting/repairing equipment. Knowledge of medical terminology. knowledge of contracts, purchasing policies, equipment sources, trade policies, shipping procedures and the corresponding terminology. Knowledge of computer software programs. Manage data collection and prepare reports. Utilize a variety of automated systems to enter, update, revise, sort, and calculate data. NOTE: 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. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must possess the 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 your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond post-high school education and specialized experience as described above that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this Purchasing Agent position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. GS-6 Qualifications: 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: Knowledge of standardized purchasing regulations, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of medical terminology, physical and sensory disabilities, basic anatomy and kinesiology. Knowledge of purpose/function and troubleshooting/repairing of custom medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic appliances. Ability to interpret oral and written instructions from physicians and therapists. Knowledge of contracts, purchasing policies, equipment sources, trade policies, shipping procedures and the corresponding terminology. Knowledge of a wide variety of standard and custom medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic appliances. Basic knowledge of their purpose and function and the basic knowledge for troubleshooting/repairing of this equipment. Skills in accounting procedures, including basic math skills necessary to maintain accurate funding, billing and sub-account balances. Knowledge of supply inventory and prosthetic regulations, policies, procedures and instructions applicable to the specific inventory point assigned. Conduct extensive and exhaustive searches of the specialized reports to make sound decisions of stock quantities requirements, monitor activity, trend usage, track history, review replenishment, to determine disposal or reissue, and correct any noted discrepancies. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title; duties; month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Contracting/Procurement Customer Service Interpersonal Skills Teaching Others Technology Application 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 conducting 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 IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** These positions involve a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-6. At the GS-5 level, the employee performs assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-6. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Major duties include, but not limited to the following: Perform independent technical level purchasing support adhering to the FAR, VAAR, VHA, and Prosthetics Directives and Handbooks, 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 Veteran's medical condition. Obtain all necessary procurement information to successfully submit 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 the Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS/FORCE). Select the most appropriate cost-effective source to deliver the items/service in the most reliable manner. Must select the item that is both best for the Veteran and the best value for the government. Independently monitors, receives, tracks, interprets, and analyzes Prosthetic Consults, and prescriptions (VAF 10-2431) for items, services and home medical equipment from physicians, therapists, medical center personnel, Veterans, or their representatives. Independently examines clinical health records and claims folders to determine eligibility and entitlement for items and services based on adopted criteria and advises Veteran of the same. Ensures accountability of all stock equipment issued, linking to individual Veteran. Independently documents issued equipment to alert for replenishment. Identify emergent equipment to include the surgical implants and life threating or life sustaining equipment, to include the surgical implants and life threatening or life sustaining equipment, verifying availability and location, monitoring activity and replacement when ready to expire. Independently prepares item descriptions for new items entering supply channels, performing work involved in the publication of stock lists for both the Prosthetics Program and the Purchase Card Menu. 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 to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD14616A and PD14658A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized