What are the responsibilities and job description for the Inventory Management Specialist position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
This position serves as an Inventory Manager in the Commodity Management Division of the Logistics Service in a Veteran Affairs Health Care System (VA HCS) and supported catchment area - with responsibility for the inventory management of all expendable supplies and durable medical equipment (DME) in the assigned area(s)
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 04/28/2026. 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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-07 grade level - you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: managing a variety of expendable items and durable medical equipment; forecasting short and long range inventory needs; analyzing inventory management reports and the effectiveness of various options proposed to provide supply support; utilizing automated inventory management systems to maintain current inventory data; researching and analyzing information to resolve questions and issues - and implementing federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical supplies. 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: Have successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement that demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR - Combination: Possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify - a copy of your transcript is required. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-09 grade level - you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: managing a variety of expendable items and durable medical equipment; forecasting short and long range inventory needs; analyzing inventory management reports and the effectiveness of various options proposed to provide supply support; utilizing automated inventory management systems to maintain current inventory data; researching and analyzing information to resolve questions and issues - and implementing federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical supplies. 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:Have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. of J.D. - if related that demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR - Combination: Possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify - a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Communication Contracting/Procurement Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Planning and Evaluating Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Teamwork Technical Competence 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 and Work Environment: Work is normally accomplished in an office setting; however - due to the nature of the position and duties - may be called upon to assist in the receipt - storage and distribution of various supplies - primarily consisting of lifting light boxes generally less than 40 pounds - utilizing appropriate material handing devices - and placing items on shelves or carrying them elsewhere on station or within the catchment area. Must maintain applicable training and licensing to operate assigned equipment. Work is primarily performed in normal office surroundings involving everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions. Is required to use safe work practices with office equipment - avoid trips or falls and observe fire regulations and traffic signs. Frequent trips outside are required for visits to the other areas of the Medical Center; such as the warehouse and some patient care areas - in order to provide services - cover for other members in the unit - attend meetings and training. Driver's License: A current - valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs - therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. 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
This position serves as an Inventory Manager in the Commodity Management Division of the Logistics Service in a Veteran Affairs Health Care System (VA HCS) and supported catchment area - with responsibility for the inventory management of all expendable supplies and durable medical equipment (DME) in the assigned area(s)
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 04/28/2026. 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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-07 grade level - you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: managing a variety of expendable items and durable medical equipment; forecasting short and long range inventory needs; analyzing inventory management reports and the effectiveness of various options proposed to provide supply support; utilizing automated inventory management systems to maintain current inventory data; researching and analyzing information to resolve questions and issues - and implementing federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical supplies. 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: Have successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement that demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR - Combination: Possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify - a copy of your transcript is required. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-09 grade level - you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: managing a variety of expendable items and durable medical equipment; forecasting short and long range inventory needs; analyzing inventory management reports and the effectiveness of various options proposed to provide supply support; utilizing automated inventory management systems to maintain current inventory data; researching and analyzing information to resolve questions and issues - and implementing federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical supplies. 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:Have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. of J.D. - if related that demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR - Combination: Possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify - a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Communication Contracting/Procurement Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Planning and Evaluating Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Teamwork Technical Competence 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 and Work Environment: Work is normally accomplished in an office setting; however - due to the nature of the position and duties - may be called upon to assist in the receipt - storage and distribution of various supplies - primarily consisting of lifting light boxes generally less than 40 pounds - utilizing appropriate material handing devices - and placing items on shelves or carrying them elsewhere on station or within the catchment area. Must maintain applicable training and licensing to operate assigned equipment. Work is primarily performed in normal office surroundings involving everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions. Is required to use safe work practices with office equipment - avoid trips or falls and observe fire regulations and traffic signs. Frequent trips outside are required for visits to the other areas of the Medical Center; such as the warehouse and some patient care areas - in order to provide services - cover for other members in the unit - attend meetings and training. Driver's License: A current - valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs - therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. 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
- Major Duties Include: Inventory Management and Control: responsible for the management and control of an assigned class of expendable material
- serves as the point of contact for the coordination of material support and resolution of logistic problems
- Conducts forecasting and quantitative analysis
- conducts spot checks
- and complies with special requirements for firearms - ammunition and sensitive equipment
- Returns - Recalls - and Reutilization: implements federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical supplies
- coordinates disposal of surplus or excess supplies
- Performs other related 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 - In addition to the assigned tour of duty - an assigned rotation for On-Call and Disaster Schedule for Essential Personnel may be required to meet minimum staffing requirements and service needs
- Schedule subject to change to meet the needs of the service and/or agency Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Position Description/PD#: Inventory Management Specialist/PD99823S and PD99823-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Salary : $50,460 - $80,243