Purchasing Agent

To qualify at the GS-7 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.

Determining price reasonableness, cost / price analysis, scheduling of timely deliveries. Applying specialized technical purchasing methods and procedures to perform complex purchasing work. Using negotiation techniques to negotiate both pre-award and post-award changes. Establishing and maintaining vendor relations and guiding vendors though invoicing and payment procedures for federal purchases.

NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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, religious, 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.

You will serve as a Purchasing Agent and be responsible for implementing Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for a variety of complex and specialized requirements for materials, supplies, services, and/or equipment within the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The incumbent supports the solicitation, negotiation, award and administration for a variety of complex and specialized requirements through competitive open-market procedures.

Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include: Purchasing a wide variety of materials, supplies, services, construction, and/or equipment using SAP and/or other open market methods including Government Purchase Cards. Negotiating with vendors to the full extent of the small purchases threshold. Conducting analysis to determine fair and reasonable prices. Preparing and posting solicitations, compiling applicable clauses and ensuring accuracy.

Communicating with vendors and assisting them through invoicing and payment procedures. Conducting contract administration to ensure proper fulfillment of the obligation and has extensive oversight of contract performance through frequent contact with Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) and contractor.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information