Purchasing Agent

Full Job Description

This position is a member of Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the Prosthetic Service Line under the VA Northwest Health Network (VISN 20), an integrated healthcare system comprised of eight healthcare institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

*This is an open continuous announcement. Please see "Duties" section for details.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet Time-In-Grade and Specialized Experience requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 07/07/2026.

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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-5 position you must have held a GS-3 or higher. 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: Minimum Qualifications, GS-5: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-4) 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.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

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.).

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education beyond two (2) years and specialized experience as described above that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this Purchasing Agent position.

Minimum Qualifications, GS-6: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-5) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: utilizing electronic contracting databases or systems, submitting plans and procurement packages to contracting offices; interpreting and analyzing prescriptions and requests for medical equipment and services; maintaining regular contact and resolving issues with vendors, contractors, medical center professionals and staff; purchasing equipment, supplies and services using an agency/organization purchase card; and reconciling charges and preparing and submitting reports.

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.

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/.

Major Duties:

This is an open continuous announcement. It establishes a standing register of eligible applicants which closes on July 7, 2026 or until all positions have been filled.

Positions will be filled as they become available. There will be multiple cut-off dates used to consider applications for referral to the selecting official.

The first cut-off date to consider applications for referral to the selecting official will be April 21, 2026, the remaining cut-off dates will be at 2-week intervals.

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Perform technical level purchasing support adhering to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Veteran Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR), Veteran Health Administration (VHA), and Prosthetics directives and handbooks, Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) policy and station memorandums to acquire Veteran specific medical equipment, supplies and services based on a medical provider's clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veteran's medical condition.

Submits 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 Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS).

Verifies Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and Bradstreet information and ensures each vendor is in System for Award Management (SAM) and in good standing with the government to do business with.

Verifies accountability of all prosthetics expenditures in both the purchase menu and the prosthetics program and associate all obligations to the individual veteran.

Ensure the services provides are documented not only as the type of service, but the duration.

Complex purchasing: 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 other duties as assigned.

Promotion Potential: This is a developmental position leading to a GS-6 level, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision.

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; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PST) Telework: Not authorized.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD10438A and PD10439A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.