What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Agent position at Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center?
The Purchasing Agent position is located in the Prosthetics & Sensory Aid Service within the Prosthetic Service Line at Jesse Brown Medical Center. The Purchasing Agent performs work to procure supplies and services to meet the purchase, rental, and lease needs of the organization. Responsible for clerical and assistant work; the work performed supports Medical Centers, Veterans Outreach Centers, Regional Offices and Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
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-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-4. 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-05 Grade Determination:
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: performing administrative duties in a healthcare setting; reviewing and working with patients' medical records; completing training or assisting in routine and complex specialized purchases for clinics including medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic appliances; utilizing computer software programs; and communicating with internal and external customers via various methods.
OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 4 years above high school.(This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university.)
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.
GS-06 Grade Determination:
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: interpreting 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.
Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical effort such as standing, walking, bending, or sitting. There are no special physical demands.
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/.
Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:
Resolves disputes of unknown or incorrect charges also within the established time limits.
Provides approving official with all pertinent purchase card documents for approval by the same and maintains documentation.
Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
Maintains responsibility for work leading to the purchase of a wide variety of complex and highly specialized services, supplies, equipment, and systems that support the full range of programs and activities at a VA Health Care System and supported catchment area.
Assists customers with Statement of Work (SOW), and drafts correspondence for signature of the Contracting Officer.
Ensures all pertinent documents are filed in the contract file.
Applies conventional practices to resolve a variety of purchasing problems such as inadequate or restrictive specifications, lack of multiple supplies, urgent need, or insufficient price history.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level GS-06 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 to 4:30pm
Telework: Ad hoc telework available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: 24166A/24161A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/10/2026.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-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-4. 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-05 Grade Determination:
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: performing administrative duties in a healthcare setting; reviewing and working with patients' medical records; completing training or assisting in routine and complex specialized purchases for clinics including medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic appliances; utilizing computer software programs; and communicating with internal and external customers via various methods.
OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 4 years above high school.(This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university.)
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.
GS-06 Grade Determination:
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: interpreting 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.
Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical effort such as standing, walking, bending, or sitting. There are no special physical demands.
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/.
Responsibilities:
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-6. At the GS-5 grade 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.Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:
Resolves disputes of unknown or incorrect charges also within the established time limits.
Provides approving official with all pertinent purchase card documents for approval by the same and maintains documentation.
Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
Maintains responsibility for work leading to the purchase of a wide variety of complex and highly specialized services, supplies, equipment, and systems that support the full range of programs and activities at a VA Health Care System and supported catchment area.
Assists customers with Statement of Work (SOW), and drafts correspondence for signature of the Contracting Officer.
Ensures all pertinent documents are filed in the contract file.
Applies conventional practices to resolve a variety of purchasing problems such as inadequate or restrictive specifications, lack of multiple supplies, urgent need, or insufficient price history.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level GS-06 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 to 4:30pm
Telework: Ad hoc telework available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: 24166A/24161A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Salary : $45,538