Inventory Management Specialist (Technical Career Field Trainee - TCF)

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to Current, permanent employees of Tennessee Valley Healthcare ONLY

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.

This is a developmental position leading to a GS-09, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. 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.

The trainee gains experience in practical knowledge of a wide range of well-established logistics operations, including: acquisition; purchasing of expendable materials/supplies; purchasing of non-expendable capital assets and equipment and inventory management. Through development, the trainee will gain practical knowledge and understanding of the regulations, policies, directives, processes and standard operating procedures and management used to perform inventory management duties. This PD is intended for Inventory Management Specialists participating in the Veteran Healthcare Administration (VHA) Technical Career Field (TCF) internal training program. The TCF program offers two years of training in critically identified positions within specific career fields in accordance with VHA's Succession Workforce Plan. Program participants receive paid salary/benefits, training/travel stipend, access to a preceptor/mentor and hands-on training. The trainee responsibilities include inventory management of all expendable supplies, lifecycle management of non-expendable equipment and durable medical equipment (DME) in assigned area(s). These major duties will be performed at the entry level. Inventory Management and Control - 80%Manages and controls an assigned class of expendable material for a VA HCS and supported catchment area.

As a trainee, recognized as the initial point of contact for expendable (EX) commodity management for 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. Acts as a central point of contact for the coordination of commodity support and there solution of logistics problems across organizational lines. While in training, learns and acts as a focal point for new EX supply procedures. With initial close review and while in the training program, makes commitments for the medical center on medical/surgical supplies that materially affect the VA HCS' ability to provide medical care to Veterans. Researches opportunities, conducts basic analysis of potential cost savings, efficiencies, and process improvements using quantitative analysis and historical usage patterns and provides to the supervisor/lead for review and consideration. Works with the supervisor to utilizes performance measures in order to conduct forecasting and quantitative analysis Works with the Inventory Management team to develop Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs).Other major duties include, but not limited to:

• Conducts planning for expendable items and DME, utilizing enterprise-wide computerized planning tools. Reviews data to include demand history, program requirements, VA HCS operations, procurement lead-time, current stock levels and other factors which impact procurement decisions and makes recommendations to the supervisor.
• While in the training capacity, planning requires structured interaction and coordination with service lines, biomedical engineering, and other stakeholders to balance competing priorities including clinical requirements and budget constraints.
• As the trainee becomes experienced within the program the communication becomes less structured. Computes requirements for supplies and DME.
• Proactively engages customers to make recommendations for product changes, substitutions, and additions to product lines with a focus on increasing supply economy and efficiency.

Work schedule: Monday-Friday 07:00-15:30
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available
Position Description Title/PD#: Inventory Management Specialist (Technical Career Field Trainee - TCF)/PD99353-TS and PD99354-TS

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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.
• Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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 probationary period or 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, 08/14/2026.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-05, you must meet one of the following

• General Experience: You must have three (3) full years of progressively responsible experience, one (1) year of which was equivalent to at least the next lower grade of (GS-04} that demonstrates the ability to: analyzes problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plans and organizes work; communicates effectively orally and in writing. Such experience may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work. General experience includes maintaining inventory control records for expendable supplies and nonexpendable equipment; using automated inventory systems to search and analyze records; preparing supply entries and reports; and communicating with staff to resolve routine inventory issues. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed four (4) years of education above the high school level in Business and Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or related field. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. 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 the second year and specialized experience as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-07, you must meet one of the following

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. 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.

• Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes maintaining inventory control records for expendable supplies and nonexpendable equipment; using automated inventory systems to search and analyze records; preparing supply entries and reports; communicating with staff to resolve routine inventory issues; supporting acquisition planning for durable medical equipment (DME); coordinating return and reutilization activities; and resolving inventory and logistics issues with stakeholders. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education related to Business and Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Acquisition Management, or related field; or superior academic achievement that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours} and specialized experience to meet total experience requirement. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Contracting and Procurement
• Planning and Evaluating
• Technical Competence
• Communication
• Technology Application
• Problem Solving

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.

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/.

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.

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.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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.

• Cover Letter
• License
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing 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
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Next steps