Inventory Management Specialist

Company: Air Force Institute of Technology
Location: Palo Alto
Posted on: March 20, 2023

Job Description:

This position serves as an Inventory Manager in the Commodity Management Division of the Logistics Service in a Veteran Affairs Health Care System (VA HCS) and supported catchment area, with responsibility for the inventory management of all expendable supplies and durable medical equipment (DME) in the assigned area(s).This is open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, CTAP eligible, current permanent federal employees, ICTAP eligible, Schedule A eligible, and other status eligible.Duties to include but not limited to the following:
Inventory Management and Control:

• Manages and controls an assigned class of expendable material for a VA HCS and supported catchment area.
• Recognized as an authority on expendable (EX) commodity management and serves as a subject matter expert to all services and service lines. Inventories managed include a wide variety of expendable items and durable medical equipment (DME) which may or may not be available through the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor (MSPV) program or other negotiated or Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts.
• Conducts short, mid and long-term advanced planning for expendable items and DME, utilizing enterprise-wide computerized planning tools. Analyzes data to include demand history, program requirements, VA HCS operations, procurement lead-time, current stock levels and other factors which impact procurement decisions.
• Uses a range of well-established and commonly applied inventory principles, standard and non- standard methodologies, and concepts to determine need to intervene in the supply system in response to fluctuations in rates of usage, cost, availability for established suppliers, alternative sources of supply and other similar conditions.
• Performs analytical work to manage, regulate, coordinate, or otherwise exercise control over EX supplies.
• Develops acquisition strategies to acquire and purchase DME, displaying familiarity with contracting laws and regulations with industry practices.
• Conducts data analysis for acquisition planning associated with DME. Assists customers in the creation of Performance Work Statements for procurement. Researches alternative sources for procurement.
• Analyzes and advises the customer on supply/DME purchase recommendations utilizing the "best value" approach
• Manages inventory, independently sets initial stock and par levels and reorder points and resolves issues for a complete medical or service category (i.e., surgical, dental, imaging, engineering, prosthetics, laboratory or other major commodity).
• Reviews and reports back to Fiscal on listings of delinquent payments and receipts of purchase orders. Corresponds with procurement officials, vendors, project engineers and other stakeholders to resolve inventory issues. Carefully handles highly specialized items which may require any or all of the following: sub-zero temperature control; delicate care instructions; sterile processing; and refrigeration.
• Coordinates rotation of emergency caches to prevent expirations and economy of supply while maintaining National Emergency Management stock levels.
• Analyzes inventory management reports including due-in reports, pending backorder reports, outdated inventory reports, inventory balance reports and 90-day inactive reports.
• Prepares submissions to VA Central Office and VISN to obtain approval and/or funding in support of VISN and/or national level expendable supply contracts.
• Administers the EX inventory management program by planning and reviewing of all inventory processes, functions, and related systems; conducting effectiveness/efficiency reviews; compiling and analyzing performance measures and implementing process improvements based upon supply chain benchmarks and standardization initiatives from VHACO and the Network Office.Returns, Recalls and Reutilization
  • Implements federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical supplies. Uses well established and commonly applied supply methods to maintain activity formulary inventory.
  • Coordinates with the property managers for disposal of surplus or excess supplies in accordance with specific agency directives and procedures.
  • Serves as the primary responder to the VA National Center for Patient Safety Recall Office for their area of responsibility. Makes emergent procurement decisions in coordination with stakeholders based on back order issues created by national recalls.
    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 tp Friday 7:00 am to 3;30 pm PST
    Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
    Position Description/PD#: Inventory Management Specialist/PD99823S and PD99824S
    Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
    Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
    Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
    • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
    • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
    • You may be required to serve a probationary period
    • Subject to background/security investigation
    • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
    • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
    • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/28/2023.
      
      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 07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 05. For a GS 09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. 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 may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
      
      GS 07 Minimum Qualification
      • Specialized Experience: You must have 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 would typically include, but are not limited to: Conducts short, mid and long-term advanced planning for expendable items and durable medical equipment (DME), uses a range of well-established and commonly applied inventory principles, standard and non- standard methodologies, forecasts short and long range inventory needs considering changes in medical and surgical technologies, Conducts data analysis for acquisition planning associated with DME.
      • OR
      • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement (SAA). S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. 1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, 2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
        - 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
        - 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2years of the curriculum, 3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
        (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).
      • OR
      • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond above information..GS 09 Minimum Qualification
        • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Manages and controls an assigned class of expendable material for a VA Health Care System and supported catchment area, Develops acquisition strategies to acquire and purchase durable medical equipment (DME), displaying familiarity with contracting laws and regulations with industry practices, Researches opportunities for and conducts analysis of potential cost savings, efficiencies, and process improvements using quantitative analysis and historical usage patterns, prepares submissions to VA Central Office to obtain approval and/or funding in support of VISN and/or national level expendable supply contracts.
        • OR
        • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
        • OR
        • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond above information..
          You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
          
          • Analysis and Problem Solving
          • Communications
          • Contracting/Procurement
          • Planning and Evaluating
          • Technical Competence
          • Technology Application
            
            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.
            
            Physical Requirements: Work is normally accomplished in an office setting; however, due to the nature of the position and duties, may be called upon to assist in the receipt, storage and distribution of various supplies, primarily consisting of lifting light boxes generally less than 40 pounds, utilizing appropriate material handing devices, and placing items on shelves or carrying them elsewhere on station or within the catchment area. Must maintain applicable training and licensing to operate assigned equipment.
            
            Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in normal office surroundings involving everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions. Required to use safe work practices with office equipment, avoid trips or falls and observe fire regulations and traffic signs. Frequent trips outside are required for visits to the other areas of the Medical Center; such as the warehouse and some Veteran care areas, in order to resolve problems, cover for other members in the unit, attend meetings and training.
            
            For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ . A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
            
            Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
            
            The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .
            
            This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
            
            If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
            
            Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
            
            The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
            
            For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
            
            Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
            
            It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
            
            Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Keywords: Air Force Institute of Technology, Modesto , Inventory Management Specialist, Executive , Palo Alto, California