Purchasing

Purchasing agents in the 1105 series buy the supplies, equipment and services an organization needs through simplified procedures: placing orders under existing contracts and agreements, using the government purchase card, getting quotes, and tracking orders through receipt and payment. The work sits a step below the 1102 contract specialist series, which handles larger and more complex acquisitions. In the Veterans Health Administration, the sole source of listings here, purchasing agents keep medical centers supplied and often sit in logistics or prosthetics services, where they buy the devices and equipment prescribed for individual veterans.

Recent listings have included purchasing agents at VA medical centers and a lead purchasing agent.

Applying tip: 1105 is experience based, rated on knowledge of simplified acquisition procedures, purchase card rules and the agency’s procurement system, so describe the dollar thresholds you worked within, the volume of orders and the systems you used; prosthetics purchasing adds knowledge of medical devices and clinical paperwork. The contracting guide explains the 1102 series that purchasing agents often move into.