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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 9 hours ago

Purchasing Agent

Columbia, MO

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$41K/yr - $59K/yr

1+ years exp

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Purchasing Agent for the Prosthetics & Sensory Aids service line at Harry S. Truman VA. The role involves performing medical supply purchasing and inventory management to support clinical services for Veterans, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and procurement processes.

GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

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: 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 Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD10313A - 10312A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualification

Purchasing medical equipmentInventory managementFederal Acquisition RegulationsData analysisCommunicationTechnical skillsCustomer focusCollaboration

Required

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 01/05/2026

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-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04

For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05

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 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: 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

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

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level

You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond

Applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal Service - that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as Purchasing Agent

Qualifying specialized experience includes 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

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication, Control of Funds, Information Management, Veteran and Customer Focus

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