Become a General Supply Specialist with the Defense Information Systems Agency in Columbus, Ohio

Are you an experienced logistics professional or a recent master's graduate looking to align your career with national security? The Department of Defense, through the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), has opened an exceptional career pathway for a General Supply Specialist (GS-09). Located in the rising technical and logistical hub of Columbus, Ohio, this role is a critical link in the global defense supply chain.

At its core, this position is about far more than basic warehousing. You will be responsible for overseeing, organizing, and securing multi-million-dollar information technology equipment that enables the President of the United States, military commanders, and global coalition forces to communicate securely and reliably.

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About the Agency: The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)

DISA is a combat support agency of the Department of Defense (DoD). Often referred to as the IT powerhouse of the military, DISA provides real-time, global communication solutions, cybersecurity, cloud services, and computing infrastructure to our nation’s warfighters. From secure video teleconferencing systems to mobile networks in active combat zones, DISA ensures that military personnel have the data and communication tools they need to complete their missions safely and successfully.

This position sits specifically within the JSO/J4 Facilities & Logistics Directorate - Offsite Warehouse Section. The J4 directorate is the backbone of the agency's physical infrastructure, managing the storage, movement, and deployment of physical and digital assets globally. Working here means collaborating with leading technology experts, external contractors, and military officers to maintain seamless logistics pipeline continuity.

Furthermore, DISA is recognized across the federal government as a forward-thinking employer. It consistently leads in the implementation of 'people programs,' offering modern work environments, robust quality-of-life initiatives, professional development pathways, and options for telework.

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Job Responsibilities: The Scope of Material Control

As a General Supply Specialist at the GS-09 level, your work lies at the intersection of hands-on warehouse operations and administrative program coordination. Your primary responsibility is supporting senior Inventory and Logistics Management Specialists. You will act as an operational catalyst, ensuring that materials move efficiently, accurately, and securely.

Key duties include:

• Logistics Operations Coordination: Directing, developing, and performing logistics management operations. You will actively plan, coordinate, and evaluate the lifecycle of incoming and outgoing military technology.
• IT Asset Control: Assisting Logistics Management Specialists in controlling, tracking, and coordinating the storage, shipping, and receiving of complex, high-value information technology equipment valued in the millions of dollars.
• Liaison Duties: Serving as the central logistical liaison for supply activities. You will review and validate requests for equipment and supplies, ensuring they comply with federal guidelines and carry the appropriate authorization signatures.
• Supplier and Contractor Integration: Coordinating directly with external commercial contractors and suppliers. Your goal will be to maintain optimum efficiency in material receipt, systematic warehousing, proper storage, and organized turn-in of government equipment.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring absolute compliance with internal controls, military protocols, and federal property disposal regulations. You will run regular quality assurance reviews on shipping documents to avoid shipping discrepancies or inventory shrinkage.

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Qualifications and Requirements

To qualify for this GS-09 position, you must meet specific standards established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The federal government offers two primary pathways to qualify: specialized professional experience or advanced higher education.

Pathway 1: Specialized Experience

To qualify through experience, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service. This experience can be gained in either the public or private sector and must demonstrate:

1. Providing operations support for supply and inventory management activities.
2. Researching source documents, supply ledgers, or database registries to actively coordinate complex inventory requirements.

Pathway 2: Educational Substitution

If you do not have the required specialized experience, you can qualify for this GS-09 opportunity if you meet one of the following educational milestones:

• Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree.
• An equivalent graduate degree, such as a Master’s of Science, Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in supply chain management/logistics, or a related field.

Note: To qualify based on education, you must upload your unofficial college transcripts along with your application.

Comparison of Qualification Pathways

Qualification Factor	Experience-Based Pathway	Education-Based Pathway
Minimum Requirements	1 Year of GS-07 equivalent specialized experience.	2 full years of graduate education or a Master's degree.
Core Focus	Practical supply coordination, logistics audits, and inventory management.	Academic study in logistics, business administration, or related fields.
Required Documentation	Detailed, structured federal resume under 2 pages.	Official or unofficial university transcripts.
Subject Area Alignment	Warehouse operations, contractor oversight, data validation.	Fully accredited college programs recognized by the Dept. of Education.

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Salary and Benefits Overview

The General Supply Specialist position is classified under the General Schedule (GS) system as a GS-09. The salary range for this location is $64,406 to $83,733 per year, which includes Columbus, Ohio locality adjustments.

In addition to basic pay, a career with DISA comes with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being:

• Health and Wellness: Choose from a wide selection of federal health insurance plans (FEHB), dental and vision coverage, and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for tax-free savings on medical care.
• Retirement Security: Participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes a lifetime monthly pension and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
• Work-Life Balance: Benefit from flexible work schedules, telework opportunities, and generous leave programs (including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays).
• Incentives: Depending on candidate qualifications and agency funding, relocation, recruitment, or retention bonuses may be authorized to assist with transition costs.

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Step-by-Step Application Process

Applying for a federal job requires a systematic and highly detailed approach. Follow these steps to ensure your application is submitted successfully and is not filtered out during preliminary screenings:

1. Prepare Your Documents: Draft a federal resume that is tailored specifically to this position. Remember that DISA enforces a strict two-page limit on resumes. Ensure you also have your transcripts and, if applicable, your DD-214 (Veterans) or SF-50 (Federal Employees) ready.
2. Apply via USAJobs: Log into your account, search for the position, and click 'Apply Online.' This will transfer you to the USA Staffing system.
3. Complete the Assessment Questionnaire: Carefully answer the initial eligibility questions, ensuring your answers are fully supported by the text in your resume.
4. Take the USA Hire Assessments: After submitting your initial package, you will receive an email containing a link to complete the online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete these within the required timeframe to remain under consideration.

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Expert Application Tips

To stand out in the highly competitive federal hiring process, keep these professional tips in mind:

• Respect the Resume Limit: DISA is strict about its two-page resume maximum. Bullet points should be brief, highly descriptive, and metrics-focused. Highlight quantitative achievements (e.g., 'Managed a $1.2M IT inventory pipeline with zero variance over 12 months').
• Dedicate Time to USA Hire: The USA Hire assessment is a critical hurdle. Ensure you have a quiet room, stable internet access, and at least three hours of uninterrupted time. Your score will carry over to other federal applications for a year, so do your best.
• Double-Check Your Transcripts: If you are substituting education for experience, your transcripts must clearly show your degree major, the date of degree conferral, and cumulative credit hours. Without these details, the HR office cannot verify your qualifications.

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2. Can military spouses or veterans apply?

Yes. This announcement is open to multiple federal hiring paths, including veterans, military spouses, competitive service applicants, and those eligible under career transition programs (CTAP/ICTAP).

3. What security clearance is required?

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. This process involves a comprehensive background check and fingerprinting.

4. Is relocation assistance available?

Moving costs and recruitment/retention incentives may be authorized on a case-by-case basis, depending on agency determination and availability of funds.

5. What happens if I fail the USA Hire Assessment?

If you do not meet the minimum passing score (cut score) on the USA Hire assessment, you will be removed from consideration for this vacancy. Your assessment score remains on file and will be applied to future applications requiring the same assessment for one year.

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If you are ready to apply your organizational talents, technical inventory experience, or academic background to a career that protects our nation's secure communications, the General Supply Specialist role at DISA is your next step. Joining the JSO/J4 team in Columbus, Ohio, provides competitive pay, outstanding federal benefits, and the pride of contributing to the national defense of the United States. Ensure your resume is polished, under the two-page limit, and submitted before the closing date. Good luck with your application!