Actively Hiring: Supply Technician (GS-06) at the Center for the Intrepid, Fort Sam Houston

Are you an experienced logistics or supply professional looking to make a meaningful impact on the lives of wounded service members? The Department of Defense, operating through the Defense Health Agency (DHA), has announced an immediate opening for a Supply Technician (GS-06) at the prestigious Center for the Intrepid (CFI), located within Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas.

This is a highly sought-after federal career opportunity offered under Direct Hire Authority (DHA). It allows qualified candidates a streamlined pathway into the federal civil service. If you possess a sharp eye for detail, a strong background in automated inventory control systems, and a commitment to operational excellence, this career path offers stability, excellent benefits, and the deep satisfaction of supporting rehabilitation medicine at the highest level.

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About the Agency: The Defense Health Agency & The Center for the Intrepid

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is a joint, integrated combat support agency that enables the Army, Navy, and Air Force medical departments to provide a medically ready force and a ready medical force to Combatant Commands in both peacetime and wartime. The DHA administers the TRICARE health program, providing medical, dental, and pharmacy programs to more than 9.5 million active-duty service members, retirees, and their families worldwide.

This specific position is stationed at the Center for the Intrepid (CFI) at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The CFI is a state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation facility designed to provide world-class care for service members who have sustained traumatic amputations, severe limb injuries, or major burn injuries. The facility integrates advanced prosthetics, robotics, virtual reality computer systems, and custom rehabilitation protocols under one roof.

As a Supply Technician within this facility, you are not just managing boxes; you are directly responsible for the availability of the specialized, life-changing clinical supplies, prosthetics, and equipment that allow our nation's wounded warriors to reclaim their mobility and independence.

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Detailed Job Responsibilities

The logistics of a world-class rehabilitation facility are complex. You will manage a massive inventory structure containing thousands of active items and oversee a budget worth millions of dollars. Your key daily responsibilities will include:

• Comprehensive Logistics Support: Serving as the lead Supply Technician for the CFI, ensuring seamless operations by managing the procurement, delivery, and storage of Class VIII medical supplies, non-medical supplies, expendable prosthetic parts, physical therapy equipment, occupational therapy materials, wound care stock, and specialized rehabilitation gear.
• Inventory Control: Overseeing the inventory of approximately 3,000 unique line items. This includes conducting periodic physical inventory counts, tracking shelf-life dates, and adjusting stock levels to prevent supply shortages or excess waste.
• Budget & Contract Monitoring: Keeping track of a multi-million-dollar annual supply budget. You will maintain accountability for Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and annual supply contracts, ensuring that all government funds are properly authorized, available, and allocated prior to the initiation of any formal purchase requests.
• Purchase Request Administration: Initiating and processing complex purchase requests within federal acquisition systems. This requires cross-referencing catalog items, obtaining vendor quotes, and ensuring all purchases comply with federal procurement rules.
• Equipment Lifecycle Management: Working hand-in-hand with clinical staff and the BAMC Biomedical Engineering department to manage the maintenance, repair, and scheduled replacement of advanced medical and rehabilitation equipment. This involves initiating maintenance work orders and planning for future capital equipment purchases.

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Qualifications and Requirements

To qualify for this GS-06 position, candidates must meet strict federal experience guidelines. Unlike some federal roles, education cannot be substituted for experience for this specific vacancy.

Core Eligibility Criteria

• Citizenship: You must be a citizen of the United States.
• Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one full year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service. This experience must clearly demonstrate your ability to:
  1. Conduct supply ordering transactions using automated computer database supply systems.
  2. Identify and systematically correct errors within supply and inventory records.
  3. Safely receive, inspect, organize, and store incoming medical or general supplies.
• No Educational Substitution: You must qualify based on your practical work experience alone. Academic coursework, associate degrees, or bachelor's degrees will not be considered in lieu of the one-year specialized experience requirement.

Performance Conditions

• Probationary Period: New federal hires are subject to a one-year probationary period, during which performance and conduct will be monitored.
• Essential Personnel: This role is designated as both Mission Essential and Inclement Weather Essential. You will be expected to report for duty or remain on duty during severe weather conditions, natural disasters, or other emergency contingency operations to ensure clinical operations are never compromised.

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Salary and Financial Incentives

The base and locality salary for this position ranges from $46,076 to $59,898 per year under the General Schedule (GS) pay scale at the GS-06 grade level.

Because this is a Direct Hire position in a highly specialized environment, the agency has authorized several recruitment flexibilities to attract top talent:

• Salary Negotiation: Candidates who are entirely new to federal civil service may be eligible to negotiate their starting salary steps based on their previous non-federal qualifications and salary history.
• Recruitment or Relocation Incentives: A signing incentive or relocation allowance may be approved and authorized for highly qualified applicants.
• Leave Credit: Candidates transitioning from the private sector may have their non-federal work experience credited toward their federal annual leave accrual rate, allowing them to earn vacation time faster.

Career Comparison: Standard vs. Direct Hire Authority

Feature	Standard Federal Hiring	This Direct Hire Authority (DHA)
Application Review	Subject to complex veteran preference ranking systems	Direct qualifications review; all qualified US citizens are referred
Hiring Timeline	Often takes several months	Significantly streamlined and faster processing times
Incentives	Rarely offered for entry/mid-level roles	Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized
Resume Format	Flexible page limits	Strict 2-page maximum limit (strictly enforced)

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Federal Benefits Package

Employment with the Defense Health Agency comes with a comprehensive suite of federal benefits designed to support your health, financial future, and work-life balance:

• Health Insurance: Access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, offering a wide array of consumer-driven, preferred provider, and health maintenance organization plans.
• Retirement Pension: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which provides a guaranteed lifetime monthly pension based on your years of service and salary.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): A retirement savings plan similar to a civilian 401(k), featuring immediate agency matching contributions of up to 5% of your pay.
• Paid Leave: Earn up to 13 days of paid sick leave annually with no accrual limit, alongside 13 to 26 days of paid annual vacation leave depending on your length of service.
• Insurance Options: Eligibility to enroll in Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), and Federal Flexible Spending Account Programs (FSAFEDS).

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

To ensure your application is considered, you must follow the submission instructions exactly. Because this is a high-volume announcement with a short open window, errors or omissions will result in immediate disqualification.

1. Read the Announcement Thoroughly: Ensure you meet the specialized experience criteria before starting.
2. Access the Portal: Log into your USAJOBS account and navigate to the application link.
3. Complete the Questionnaire: Fill out the online USAStaffing questionnaire honestly and thoroughly. Your answers must be backed up by the text in your resume.
4. Upload Required Documents:
   • Your tailored federal resume (strictly two pages or less).
   • Your most recent annual performance appraisal (if applicable).
   • Any other requested documents supporting your eligibility.
5. Submit Before the Deadline: Complete your submission prior to July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

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Critical Resume Guidelines and Application Tips

Federal resume writing is distinct from civilian resume writing. To pass the automated HR screening and reach the hiring manager, incorporate these proven strategies:

• Observe the Two-Page Limit: This is a non-negotiable rule for this specific announcement. If your resume file is three pages long, your entire application will be deleted from the system immediately without review. Keep your text dense, relevant, and concise.
• Incorporate Critical Information: For every job listed on your resume, you must include the company name, your job title, the exact start and end dates (including month and year), your average hours worked per week (e.g., 40 hours/week), and a detailed breakdown of your achievements.
• Quantify Your Achievements: Use numbers to prove your skills. Instead of writing "managed inventory," write "managed an active inventory of over 3,000 line items worth $2.5 million, maintaining a 99.8% record accuracy rate."
• Align with the Specialized Experience: Ensure your resume clearly demonstrates your familiarity with automated supply systems, catalog audits, receiving processes, and record error identification. Use these exact concepts in your bullet points.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can veterans apply for this job?

A: Yes. This position is open to all US citizens, including veterans and military spouses. While this is a Direct Hire announcement where traditional veteran preference points are not added to a numerical score, military service records will be thoroughly reviewed and credited toward qualifying experience.

Q: Is telework or remote work an option for this position?

A: No. Due to the physical logistics requirements of this position, including receiving shipments, storing supplies, and conducting physical inventory audits on-site at the Center for the Intrepid, this position is 100% on-site. Telework is not authorized.

Q: What software systems will I be using?

A: You will be operating automated computer database supply systems used by the Department of Defense and military hospitals. This typically includes specialized medical logistics portals, inventory databases, and electronic purchase request software.

Q: How long does the hiring process take under Direct Hire Authority?

A: Direct Hire Authority drastically shortens the traditional federal hiring timeline. Because applications are reviewed directly for qualifications without complex competitive ranking, selections can occur within a few weeks of the closing date.

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Managing inventory at the Center for the Intrepid is more than a administrative logistics job; it is a vital service that directly affects the recovery journey of wounded service members. With a competitive salary, exceptional federal benefits, and the opportunity to work within Brooke Army Medical Center's world-renowned clinical community, this GS-06 Supply Technician role is an ideal career step. Keep your resume under two pages, align your work history with the specialized qualifications, and submit your application package before the closing date on July 31, 2026.