Remote Purchasing Agent Jobs in Columbia, MD (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Superintendent, Capitol Building, Assistant Superintendent, Client Services Division, Service Center Branch. The candidate provides operational support for jurisdiction purchasing, customer service and office management. This is a developmental position leading to the full performance level of the position at the GS-08 grade level.
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Duties
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This is a developmental position leading to the full performance level of the position at the GS-08 grade level.
Tour of Duty: Monday thru Friday | 8:30am to 5:00pm (Hours may change due to Operational Needs of Management)
*** Rotating Weekends and Holidays
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM CURRENT ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL EMPLOYEES ONLY
Duties and Responsibilities:
Purchasing
Responsible for 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. Resolves problems with requisitioning technical personnel procurement guidelines that specify lead-time and possible suppliers or any issues involved in purchasing. Meets with suppliers to discuss terms, special requirements, schedules, etc., resulting from the nature of item or service being purchased.
Serves in the capacity of Cardholder of a Government-wide Purchase Card and is responsible for safeguarding the purchase card and account number. Assures 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. Complies with ethical and regulatory program requirements applicable to cardholders making purchase card purchases.
Receives, reviews and analyzes assigned procurement requests includes SOW and specifications for adequacy, conciseness, consistency with AOC purchasing guidelines. Screens and reviews purchasing requests for completeness and accuracy.
Assists requestors and the Business Finance Analyst (BFA) with execution of the annual procurement plan. Participates in or plans the procurement of goods, services and equipment through a variety of purchasing methods. Assists requestor is compiling a bidders list for qualified applications. Reconciles credit card accounts monthly and resolves problems to balance accounts. Performs all phases of procurement from receipt of purchase request through final delivery. Initiates modifications to original terms for substitutions of products/services, price changes and delivery date changes. Initiates terminations for inability to perform or lack of need or funds. Confers with contractors regarding invoices and payments and ensures that contractors are paid. Resolves post award administration issues of modifications and terminations. Initiates close out of completed contract.
Customer Service
Receives all visitors and answers phone calls to the Service Center. Answers questions and/or concerns or directs them to the appropriate office to obtain the requested information. Suggests alternate course of actions when request cannot be handled by the staff.
Creates work orders in WeBTMA and notifies the Superintendent and the appropriate jurisdiction (House, Senate, CAO, USPC, SSA, EED, Grounds); updates work orders with any follow up information; and closes out pest control work orders.
Issues keys and AOC vehicles to staff.
Uses tact, diplomacy and patience when communicating and dealing with others, e.g., co-workers, managers, supervisors and internal/external customers. Maintains good rapport and a positive two-way communication with managers. Provides advice and guidance that reflects a thorough current knowledge of available services and AOC practices/procedures. Resolves problems and provides thorough and complete responses to customer inquiries in a timely manner.
Time and Attendance
Reconciles time and attendance data for employees against clock in and out punches; runs reports in TMA and manually transfers information to WebTa; verifies overtime and leave slips are submitted and approved; monitors employee leave so that they do not go into the negative without proper approval; prints time and attendance reports and files for future reference. Conducts peer reviews to ensure that all timekeepers are adhering to policies and regulations regarding time and attendance and leave administration are followed.
The Purchasing Agent responsible for utilizing a thorough knowledge of and compliance with applicable AOC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner and to initiate or take corrective action on unsafe conditions in managed areas.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be able to pass a drug test.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related KSAs

• 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 http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, an applicant's one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for successful job performance.
To qualify at the GS-06 level, your resume must clearly demonstrate that you have one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-05 level in the federal service. Examples of qualifying experience include:
Using Microsoft office software and other computer systems to maintain data and records.
Processing time and attendance using established guidelines.
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 http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm
The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information 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 made on a case-by-case basis.
Moving expenses are not authorized.
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee 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.
Note: Please be advised that federal retired annuitant candidates may only be considered as a temporary employee if the role can be filled in that capacity.
All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.