Overseas Support Services Specialist - Federal Hire

Summary

The Peace Corps shares a unique relationship with the countries and people our community has worked alongside in pursuit of world peace and friendship for more than 60 years bringing together skilled, committed Volunteers with welcoming host communities for service opportunities in more than 60 countries. Volunteers live and work side by side with community members on locally prioritized projects, building relationships, exchanging cultures and knowledge, and helping transform lives.

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Duties

This position is located in the Office of Administrative Services (M/AS) in the Post Logistics and Support Division of the Peace Corps Headquarters in Washington, DC. The incumbent is responsible to the Chief, Post Logistics and Support Division for the process management and execution of all actions necessary to purchase, and ensure delivery of pharmaceuticals, and medical and administrative supplies and equipment required by Peace Corps Posts worldwide. On a daily basis, the incumbent generally supports an assigned geographic region but must be equally capable of supporting the Division's entire range of responsibilities. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for completion of all the financial management system requirements necessary to support the recording, obligation and liquidation of Post funds committed for each purchase processed by the Post Logistics and Support Division. The incumbent serves as a liaison with interagency branches, GSA, other Federal agencies, vendors, and the public sector as required and assists the Division Chief in the accomplishment of ad hoc project work and logistical research requirements

The Overseas Support Services Specialist performs the following major duties:

Researches, locates, and recommends purchasing supplies for off-the-shelf items or services that are available from numerous sources, e.g., pharmaceuticals, and medical and administrative supplies and equipment required by Peace Corps Posts worldwide.Develops procurement plans by reviewing previous history, market conditions, and specifications or technical data packages.Audits the monthly blanket purchase agreement process as assigned by the Division Chief to ensure compliance with the standard of operations.Audit includes assessment of each blanket purchase agreement in accordance with Federal regulations the administration of the contract until final delivery and payments.Serve as a primary Agency liaison with overseas Posts, U.S. Public Health Service and other supply agencies for overseas requisitions, worldwide shipping matters and general assistance to overseas Posts and visiting staff.Develop and revise forms, standard operating procedures, training materials and handbooks regarding delivery and procurement of medical supplies and equipment for approval from the Division Chief.Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for Procurement and shipping Blank Purchase Agreements (BPA)Work with higher-grade specialists to assure established policy and strategies are applied to the procurement of medical and pharmaceutical supplies.Ensure purchases are in compliance with federal regulatory guidelines.Perform pre- and/or post award activities for items or services with standardized specifications, such as office machines, automotive equipment and supplies, or minor alteration or repair of buildings/roads.Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Please read this announcement in its entirety prior to submitting your application.

You must be a U.S. Citizen.You must be at least 18 years of age.All Federal employees are required to have federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. For additional information, see www.sss.gov.You must complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.You must go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired originalor certified copies.You must successfully complete a background security investigation with favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet this requirement will be grounds for employment termination.Prior to employment, and in compliance with statutes 5 USC 3322 and 22 USC 2507b, Peace Corps will conduct a check of Peace Corps records for both Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and former Peace Corps employees.All new employees are required to certify and submit a state of understanding acknowledging adherence to the Peace Corps condition of employment prior to day 1 of employment with the Peace Corps.This position requires a public trust background investigation. This is a bargaining unit position.A one-year probationary period is required.The initial appointment to this position cannot exceed five years.

Peace Corps Information

This is a Federal civilian job in the Excepted Service. Peace Corps employees are paid on the Foreign Personnel (FP) pay scale.All new employees are required to certify and submit a state of understanding acknowledging adherence to the Peace Corps condition of employment prior to day 1 of employment with the Peace Corps.Qualified internal applicants will be given full consideration.Additional hiring needs may be filled through this vacancy.

Qualifications

All qualification requirements must be met by 04/24/2024 (the closing date of the announcement). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To ensure full credit for your experience, please indicate the start and end dates (month, day, and year) of employment, the number of hours worked per week, and the location of employment in your resume. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Specialized Experience

This vacancy is being announced at two grade levels

Specialized Experience At The FP-04

To be minimally qualified for this position at the FP-04 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression, FP-05 or GS-09 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Experience in applying a wide range of technical methods, principles, and practices to negotiate and award purchase orders for rare and non-standard items or services, such as medical supplies and pharmaceuticals; Experience in administering purchase orders that require extensive monitoring and oversight to resolve complex problems, and coordinating/discussing these or similar problems with small purchase contractors and various agency or activity personnel.

~OR~

Specialized Experience at the FP-05

To be minimally qualified for this position at the FP-05 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression, FP-6 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to the identification, consideration, and resolution of issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature. Knowledge of procurement administration regulations, procedures, and practices to analyze and process procurement requests.

~OR~

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

LL.M., if related

OR

A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position.

Please Note

Past experience that satisfies the Specialized Experience MUST be well documented within your resume. Failure to provide this information in your resume with corresponding start and end dates (month, day, and year) of employment, the number of hours worked per week, and location of employment may result in disqualification from further consideration.Specialized Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector, or through volunteer work done with National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) or other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis.Additional information on 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.Peace Corps employees are employed using the Foreign Personnel (FP) pay scale. The FP pay plan does not follow the same structure as the GS pay plan. In the FP pay plan, as the grade-level numbers decrease the level/pay for the position increases. The FP-09 is the lowest entry-level grade and the FP-01 is the highest senior-level grade.Transcripts: If you are using education as a substitute for some or all of the experience requirement or there a basic education requirement for this position, an official or unofficial transcript is required as part of your application.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts can be official or unofficial.

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. The full provision for SAA is described in the OPM General Schedule Operating Manual.

Class standing--Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.Grade-point average (G.P.A.)--Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9.Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society--Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed below. These honor societies are listed in the Association of College Honor Societies: Booklet of Information (1992-95) and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (1991). Agencies considering eligibility based on any society not included in the following list must ensure that the honor society meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.

A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be used towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by recognized institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at this website.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

The minimum and maximum salaries listed on this announcement include locality pay.

If you are a current federal employee, your agency may grant you reemployment rights in accordance with Section 310 of the Foreign Service Act, 22 USC 3950. You must request and be granted reemployment rights prior to separation from your current federal agency.

Peace Corps Information

This is a federal civilian job in the Excepted Service. Peace Corps employees are paid on the Foreign Personnel (FP) pay scale.Telework eligible positions do not guarantee telework. See Peace Corps Manual Section 623 for agency policy regarding telework.The Peace Corps uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.This is a drug-free workplace and we promote a drug-free environment.Additional hiring needs may be filled through this vacancy.

Intelligence Background Information

Peace Corps Manual Section 611 is applicable to this position

This prohibits the employment of certain persons previously engaged in intelligence activities or connected with intelligence agencies within the past 10 years.If you have ever worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), you are not eligible for employment at the Peace Corps in any capacity, and you should not apply for employment.Acceptance of employment with Peace Corps precludes employment by certain intelligence organizations for a specific period of time, determined by the employing agency, after Peace Corps employment ceases.

Applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified will be required to submit a completed Intelligence Background Questionnaire upon request, indicating whether the applicant has been involved in or has had any connection with intelligence activities or related work and, if so, the nature and dates of his or her involvement. Failure to meet this requirement will result in disqualification from further consideration. If you have any other type of possible intelligence connection, your application will not be further considered until you submit this form.

Except when the CIA or the National Security Agency (NSA) is involved (see below), if your connection with an Intelligence Agency involves an immediate family member who works or has worked in intelligence, the immediate family member should complete the form, not the applicant. Usually relying on memory is sufficient to answer most if not all of the questions.

If you have an immediate family member who works or has worked for the CIA, you should not give them this form to complete. Please contact your relative in person-not by phone, email, social networking, or any other means that is not in person- and ask him or her to contact the Office of General Counsel at the CIA.

If you or an immediate family member have been employed by or associated with the NSA, you or your family member must contact the NSA Prepublication Review Office at 443-634-4095.

Read more

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.

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