Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration • Huntington, WV

30d • Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent primarily performs work to acquire supplies, services and construction by purchase, rental, or lease through delivery orders and/or small purchase procedures. The Purchasing Agent will become a purchase card holder who fulfills acquisition requests under the federal micro purchase threshold, ensuring these purchases are procured in accordance with Federal and VA regulations, policy and procedures. 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. Performs procurement duties such as preparing, controlling, and reviewing procurement documents and reports; verify or abstract information contained in documents and reports; contact vendors to get status of orders and expedite delivery; maintain various procurement files; resolve a variety of shipment, payment, or other discrepancies; or perform other similar work in support of procurement programs and operations. Conducts purchasing for a VA Medical Center, and supported catchment area, under the micro purchase threshold and must have knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) and other federal procurement laws. Reviews and edits purchase requests to ensure the item or service is adequately described based on the requester's need. Utilizes different ordering, reporting procedures, and purchasing methods depending on the type quantity, dollar value, and urgency of the requirement. Provides administration and oversight on orders and services. Monitor vendor performance through personal contact, review progress reports, and discuss reasons for delays, failures, or price changes. Procures supplies and services to meet the purchase, rental, or lease needs of the organization. Prepare and issue contract modifications for changes in delivery schedule and sends formal correspondence to a variety of customers such as inventory management specialists, other service line contacts, and contracting officers as appropriate for the purposes of auditing documents, processing receiving reports, and payments. Advises approving officials and purchase card holders on purchase card program, procurement procedures and responsibilities while conducting random reviews in accordance with established Logistics and other departmental policy. Serves as the first line of contact for medical staff and customers in regard to procured items. Performs a variety of receptionist, timekeeping, record keeping and miscellaneous duties in medical facility. All other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including the application, questionnaire, and an online assessment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment effective May 7, 2025.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period.
• 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05.
• 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.
• 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 include: performing clerical or assistant duties in support of purchasing and procurement; Procuring supplies and services to meet the purchase, rental, or lease needs of an organization; Working with medical staff to determine procurement needs and priorities; Resolving a variety of shipment, payment, or other discrepancies in support of procurement programs and operations; Purchasing various equipment, supplies, and services through the use of a purchase card; and Assembling and/or summarizing information from files and documents as required to create reports utilizing automated computerized supply/inventory management systems and Microsoft Office software programs such as MS Word and Excel.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) and other federal procurement laws.

Responsibilities

• Fulfills acquisition requests under the federal micro purchase threshold, ensuring these purchases are procured in accordance with Federal and VA regulations, policy and procedures.
• Maintains responsibility for work leading to the purchase of a wide variety of complex and highly specialized services, supplies, equipment, and systems.
• Performs procurement duties such as preparing, controlling, and reviewing procurement documents and reports.
• Contacts vendors to get status of orders and expedite delivery.
• Maintains various procurement files.
• Resolves a variety of shipment, payment, or other discrepancies.
• Reviews and edits purchase requests to ensure the item or service is adequately described based on the requester's need.
• Utilizes different ordering, reporting procedures, and purchasing methods depending on the type quantity, dollar value, and urgency of the requirement.
• Provides administration and oversight on orders and services.
• Monitors vendor performance through personal contact, review progress reports, and discuss reasons for delays, failures, or price changes.
• Procures supplies and services to meet the purchase, rental, or lease needs of the organization.
• Prepares and issues contract modifications for changes in delivery schedule.
• Sends formal correspondence to a variety of customers such as inventory management specialists, other service line contacts, and contracting officers.
• Advises approving officials and purchase card holders on purchase card program, procurement procedures and responsibilities.
• Conducts random reviews in accordance with established Logistics and other departmental policy.
• Serves as the first line of contact for medical staff and customers in regard to procured items.
• Performs a variety of receptionist, timekeeping, record keeping and miscellaneous duties in medical facility.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

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