Clarification from the agency

This position is open only to current Architect of the Capitol (AOC), United States Botanic Garden (USBG) employees. Applications from individuals outside USBG will not be considered.

This position is responsible for supporting supply operations, inventory management, accountable property, and purchasing activities that ensure the efficient operation of the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Major Duties:

Supply Processing

Compiles, analyzes and summarizes information relating to the designated supply requirements for the USBG. Develops plans to define stock levels and frequency of reordering through normal acquisition channels, lead-time, availability, storage or staging space, frequency of use and documentation requirements in order to provide installation support in buying, storing and transferring supplies.

Evaluates supply requirements, analyzing relationships among organizational needs and objectives, costs and requirements in supply guides and related information sources. Resolves conflicts in customer descriptions of required items, recommends substitutions and advises about alternative acquisition approaches.

Maintains inventory control records in an automated system for parts and supplies Monitors changes in rate of usage, cost and availability for established suppliers, alternative sources of supply and other activities in accounts requiring intervention, such as changes in pricing, accelerated or decelerated acquisition, notifications to seek additional vendors or other actions designed to support supply processing and distribution operations without interruption in the flow of materials.

Weighs the impact of variables such as cost, existing policies and procedures, data processing requirements and other issues that influence the course of action taken. Analyzes information and traces the sequence of transactions to resolve questions; prepares entries for supply record systems; provide supply information, reports and services; and recommends actions to eliminate problems involved in delivering services to supply customers or in implementing policies.

Purchasing Support

Assists with purchasing supplies, materials, tools and equipment. Responsible for procuring supplies, services and equipment through a variety of small purchasing methods and procedures. The work requires an in-depth knowledge of a variety of specialized purchasing methods and procedures to perform procurement actions. Meets with suppliers to discuss terms, special requirements, schedules, etc., resulting from the nature of item or service being purchased. Coordinates activities with Purchasing Agent.

Serves in the capacity of Cardholder of the Government-wide Purchase Card and is responsible for safeguarding the purchase card and account number and assuring that the card is properly secured. Follows procedures outlined in Standing Operating Procedures for Using the Government-wide Commercial Purchase Card Service. The purchase card is used to pay for micro-purchases (supplies or services) following established policies and procedures. Reconciles the monthly statement and forwards the reconciled statement to the Approving/Certifying Official as directed.

Orders supplies and materials as required by the USBG. Supplies include items such as brochures, tools, soil, mulch, first aid materials, chemicals and pesticides. Receives, stores and disburses items to staff as required. Maintains records of items ordered, received and issued.

Inventory Management

Maintains Accountable Property records for all divisions using established policies, procedures and guidelines. Creates and processes all disposition reports for damaged, retired and non-usable Accountable Property.

Performs and coordinates physical inventory functions and inventory reconciliation, monitors custodial balances and recommends adjustments to inventory to correct imbalances. Reviews adjustments to records for accuracy and completeness. Analyzes computer rejects and takes actions to correct. Performs causative and physical searches to resolve discrepancies.

Reconciles physical inventory with existing stock records maintained. Assists with the scheduling and monitoring of the inventory process. Establishes and maintains production statistics, which depict information on progress and/or evaluation of inventories. Coordinates actions between maintenance, inventory control, quality control and quality assurance activities to assure that the balances cited on file are kept current and reflect the actual physical posture of the stock.

Serves as an interface between operating officials and procurement personnel to determine suitability and availability of items requested and to expedite action. Assists in determining new items to be stocked, to be phased out, etc.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• You must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• You must be able to pass a drug test and background check.

To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:

• A citizen of the United States;
• A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
• A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
• A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
• A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM qualification standards

Specialized experience: is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Candidates for the GS-09 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-07) grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sectors.  

Specialized experience for this position includes the following:

• Performing analytical work to manage, regulate and control the level and flow of materials, supplies and equipment through acquisition, storage and inventory management.
• Resolving conventional inventory management problems, questions and situations in a supply operation.
• Monitoring established supply systems and programs.
• Performing independent reviews and making recommendations involving well-established acquisition criteria, methods, techniques and procedures.

-- OR --

Graduate Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or completion of all requirements for an LL.B or J.D. degree, if related.

-- OR --

Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.

NOTE:  Graduate education must be in a field related to the duties of the position.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.  

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

1. Knowledge of purchasing methods and procedures to perform procurement actions.
2. Knowledge of and ability to use automated inventory records and control systems.
3. Knowledge of material substitution criteria, storage, issuance and disposal processes.
4. Ability to perform analysis and use sound judgment when providing advice to resolve problems.
5. Knowledge of established acquisition and government credit card procedures.

Your responses to the self assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or disqualification for further consideration. 

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).