Inventory Management Specialist

About the role

This position is at the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG). The USBG is a public garden in the legislative branch and was established by Congress in 1820. The Garden inspires people to appreciate, study, and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally.

We provide educational experiences to 1 million visitors annually, present horticultural displays and exhibits, strive to break down barriers to inclusion, and advance the exchange of ideas and information. Learn more: U.S. Botanic Garden.

What you will do

• 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. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.

Education

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: The experience requirement for the GS-9 level may be met by a 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.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. Education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities.

Applicants educated in whole or in part of foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree.

You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing if selected.

How you will be evaluated

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: Knowledge of purchasing methods and procedures to perform procurement actions. Knowledge of and ability to use automated inventory records and control systems. Knowledge of material substitution criteria, storage, issuance and disposal processes.

Ability to perform analysis and use sound judgment when providing advice to resolve problems. 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). You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) job application process is designed to ensure you only provide information necessary to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position vacancy.
• To apply for this position, you only need to submit: a) your resume and b) answers to the online vacancy assessment questionnaire.
• The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant information.
• No additional documentation or attachments are required at the time of application.
• Your resume should list your education, training and work experience including job titles, employment dates, duties and accomplishments.
• Nothing further is required until it is requested by AOC's Human Capital Management Division.
• If additional documentation is required for the position, you will be asked to provide it during the interview or selection process.
• At that time, you may be asked to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.
• For example, you may be asked to provide a copy of your diploma, college transcripts, or proof of Federal employment status.
• If the position requires licensure or certification, you will be asked to provide proof at the time of selection.
• If Veterans' preference is claimed, you will be asked to submit proof (DD-214, and, if claiming a 10-point preference, a SF-15 and the proof required by that form).
• Failure to provide the required documents will end further consideration and/or result in the withdrawal of any tentative job offers.
• Your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of this job announcement.

Benefits

A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holidays; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities, etc. The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.

What to expect next

You will receive a notice generated by the USAJobs System when you have successfully submitted your application. We will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You can check the status of your application by logging into ***

You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJobs Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings' to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes.

Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within 2 weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement.

If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable.

For more information, please visit OPM vet guide If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency.

A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide, and cover the cost for the drug test. The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States.

If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system.

For more information on E-Verify, please visit *** The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Moving expenses are not authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee(s) is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol. All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.