Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration • Togus, ME

25d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a Prosthetic Purchasing Agent within the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) at the VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, Maine. The role primarily performs purchasing work to acquire supplies, services, and construction through delivery orders and small purchase procedures, including purchase, rental, or lease arrangements. The work requires familiarity with applicable procurement policies and procedures, commercial supply sources, and common business practices related to sales, pricing, discounts, units of measurement, deliveries, inventory, and shipments.

The position is full-time at 40 hours per week, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position is not virtual; ad-hoc telework is available. The work is performed in an office setting and involves ordinary workplace risks and discomforts, with normal safety precautions. Some physical effort, such as standing, sitting, walking, or bending, is required, but there are no special physical demands.

Requirements

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-05, such as clerical or assistant work supporting purchasing and procurement.
• Experience procuring supplies and services to meet an organization's purchasing, rental, or leasing needs.
• Experience working with medical staff to determine procurement needs and priorities.
• Experience resolving shipment, payment, or other discrepancies related to procurement programs and operations.
• Experience purchasing equipment, supplies, and services using a purchase card.
• Experience assembling or summarizing information from files and documents to create reports using automated computerized supply or inventory management systems and Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel.
• For current or former federal employees subject to the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-05 for a GS-06 position.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding and acceptable identity-document requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• No educational substitution is available at this grade level.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulations (VAAR), and other federal procurement laws.
• Purchase equipment, supplies, and services, including micro-purchases made using a government purchase card.
• Review and edit purchase requests to ensure requested items or services are adequately described, information is complete, and requests meet legal requirements.
• Obtain product and pricing information and determine procedures for written or verbal purchase orders.
• Use ordering, reporting, and purchasing methods appropriate to the type, quantity, dollar value, and urgency of each requirement.
• Provide potential vendors with general guidance on requirements and information needed for the local vendor file.
• Use web-based portals to order items from awarded contracts.
• Track and monitor procurement transactions and verify balances to ensure obligations are complete and approved before placing orders.
• Administer and oversee orders and services.
• Discuss micro-purchases with vendors and contractors to obtain agreement and ensure compliance.
• Monitor vendor performance through contact and progress-report reviews, and discuss delays, failures, or price changes.
• Coordinate with using-service representatives about supply sources and acceptable substitutions when standard items are unavailable or in short supply.
• Provide customer service to medical staff, customers, vendors, and contractors, and resolve issues promptly so requests and bills are processed accurately and on time.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed