Acquisition Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduate)

About the role

This position is being filled under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program. This program provides recent graduates with work experience directly related to their degree and career goals while offering eligibility for conversion to permanent employment upon completion of the program requirements.

Click here for more information about the Department of Veterans Affairs's Recent Graduate Program.

What you will do

• 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

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit.

How you will be evaluated

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.

Documents you must provide

• 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 ***

Benefits

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.

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.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

Additional information

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

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. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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 here: ***