Acquisition Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduate)

Clarification from the agency

This job is open U.S. citizens who are recent graduates of qualifying education institutions. To see the full details of who is eligible please visit the eligibility section in the questionnaire for a list of all eligible statuses and the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more details.

Through several of the academy schools course offerings, participants can complete core Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) coursework. Interns may pursue complementary courses such as FAC-COR Level I to strengthen skills in acquisition planning, market research, ethics, and contract performance management, as well as project and program management offerings that accelerate development of leadership and technical capabilities across IT, construction, and healthcare efforts. This sustained training investment, delivered via classroom, blended, and self-paced e-learning formats, equips AWTP participants with the continuous learning credits, certifications, and applied competencies needed for non-competitive conversion and long-term success in the VA acquisition workforce.

Specific duties include:

a. Rotation through Office of Procurement (OOP) to gain an understanding of Procurement Policy and Compliance, Procurement Data and Informatics, Procurement Operations & Execution (HCAs) to include; contract formation and negotiation, source selection processes, market research and acquisition planning, post-award contract administration, and vendor relationship management. Develop a pre-award or post award document.

b. Rotation through Office of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (OLSCM) to gain an understanding of Logistics Support Services, Transportation and Relocation Services, Publication Services, Supply Chain Services and Management, Oversight and Internal Controls and Utilization and Lifecycle Management. Identify improvements to internal control and lifecycle utilization processes and draft written proposals.

c. Rotation through Office of Acquisition, Program Management and Performance (OAPMP) to gain an understanding of Acquisition Lifecycle Governance & Oversight, Program Standardization and Performance Improvement, Program Advisory Support Service (PASS), Acquisition Human Capital Management and Strategic Category Management Coordination & Informatics. Make a recommendation after participating in a PASS onsite review.

d. Rotation through Office of Office of Operations (OOO) to gain an understanding of Administrative Support, Budget, Communications and Correspondence and Human Resource and make complete analysis of the position numbers supporting the organization.

e. Intern would require a background in construction, engineering or architect to be approved for a rotation in Office of Construction and Facilities Management (OCFM). Propose a recommendation to real property management and facility planning strategies

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Acquisition Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduate);PD00397A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Required to sign a Pathways Program Participant Agreement and serve a trial period.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).

Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year (1-year for preference eligible Veterans) trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:09/21/2026.

RECENT GRADUATE REQUIREMENT: The Pathways Recent Graduates Program is open to recent graduates who are legally permitted to work in the U.S. to be eligible. You must have obtained one of the following qualifying degrees, certificate, career, or technical education programs: associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctoral, or technical/vocational degree or certificate (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps) from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years.

• This program is for one year

Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree (certification and/or career/technical program) was completed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS-09 Grade Level:

• Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of an Acquisition Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes:
  • Gather information on acquisition policies and procedures to complete two small projects that will support the leadership in that respective area;
  • Research laws, regulations, and policies related to the respective area management displaying knowledge of operations;
  • Coordinate meetings, create project documentation, and complete after action review reports and follow-up procedures in accordance with comprehensive project management
  • Prepare budget formulation, tracking, and execution documents in support of enterprise decision-making
  • Understanding of Administrative Support, Budget, Communications, Correspondence, and Human Resource processes and practices.

OR

• Education Substitution: Possess a master's degree or two (2) full years of graduate level education leading to such a degree in a related field of study that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information.

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; 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: Resume must include job title and employer name, number of hours worked per week, start and end dates (including month and year), list of duties and responsibilities for each position held. In addition, if the experience was a federal position, you must list series and grade for each position held. Failure to include this information may result in an ineligible rating. A full year of work is considered to be 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:
This position is primarily of an administrative nature in an office setting. Primarily sedentary.

How you will be evaluated

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.

During the application process, you will have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions 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 an interview.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified; errors, omissions, or failure to submit the documents as specified will affect your rating or result in loss of consideration for employment.

• Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position
  • For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you must also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
• Transcript that includes your coursework and date of graduation. A diploma is NOT sufficient to determine eligibility/qualifications.
• Veterans: Member-4 DD-214 and disability rating letter (if applicable)
  • If you are currently on active duty to be released within 120 days, you may submit an armed forces certification in lieu of a Member-4 DD-214.

Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

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