Store Associates work either independently or as part of a team in any assigned retail area of a commissary store within the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) system, performing a variety of duties including handling, preparing, and stocking grocery and produce items, and checking-out customer purchases.
This is an open-continuous announcement with an established initial cut-off date of 11/16/2025. Please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for more information.?
Summary
Store Associates work either independently or as part of a team in any assigned retail area of a commissary store within the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) system, performing a variety of duties including handling, preparing, and stocking grocery and produce items, and checking-out customer purchases.
This is an open-continuous announcement with an established initial cut-off date of 11/16/2025. Please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for more information.?
Assisting customers by answering questions such as item price or location, and handling bulky/heavy items.
Operating an electronic checkout system to record unit price, total customer purchase, and make change.
Performing a variety of duties in handling, preparing and maintaining stock levels of grocery and produce items.
Reviewing stock levels and gathering inventory data in order to maintain the Computer Assisted Ordering (CAO) system.
Preparing and maintaining a variety of documents to order commissary items, reconcile invoices and submit requisitions.
Maintaining security, safety, and sanitation practices and procedures.
Read the entire job announcement. Focus on the following sections to understand whether or not you qualify for the position.
Duties and Qualifications
How to Apply (including a preview of the assessment questionnaire, if applicable)
How You Will be Evaluated
Your resume must thoroughly describe how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the Qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. We do not assume you have the necessary experience to successfully perform in this job regardless of your employment history or academic career.
Be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants with a Permanent Resident Card are authorized to live and work in the U.S. but are not eligible for employment in positions requiring U.S. citizenship. If selected, proof of citizenship is required.
Meet minimum age requirement. See Additional Information.
Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service.
Appointment is subject to successful verification of identity and employment eligibility through E-Verify. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
Appointment is subject to a favorable suitability or fitness outcome, as determined by a completed background investigation. New federal employees will be fingerprinted.
Be able to obtain and maintain clearance eligibility based on the appropriate background investigation.
May be subject to a probationary/trial period.
Direct deposit of pay is required.
Meet the physical requirements identified in the Qualifications section.
Qualifications
You must meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualifications for series 1101 and additional requirements by the announcement closing date. Your resume (and/or transcript if necessary) must clearly show that you have the qualifications described below. You can use experience, education, or a combination of the two to qualify.
Experience: 1 year of progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of this position (general experience). OR Education: Two (2) full years of education above high school. Transcripts are required if relying on education, in whole or in part, to qualify. See Required Documents for more information. OR Combination of experience and education: To calculate the combination, divide your total months of experience by 12, then divide your semester hours by 30 and add the two percentages. If the total is 100%, you meet the minimum qualifications through a combination of experience and education.
You will receive credit for all relevant qualifying experience (paid and unpaid), including volunteer work done through National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).
Physical requirements: (1) Stand, stoop, kneel, bend and climb for prolonged periods. (2) Lift, push, pull, carry, and handle items weighing up to 40 pounds independently and occasionally over 40 pounds with assistance. You will attest to your ability to perform these physical requirements in the Questionnaire.
As part of the online application process, you will respond to a series of questions designed to evaluate your level of experience in the position's competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics). The competencies are:
Clerical & Administrative
Communications
Customer Service
Electronic Checkout System
Safety & Housekeeping
Store Operations
Overtime: Occasional Bargaining Unit Status: Varies by location Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Nonexempt Obligated Position: If obligated, you occupying the position is subject to the former incumbent returning. If the former incumbent does not return to the position, your occupancy may become permanent. Tentative job offers identify if the position you are offered is obligated. Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No. DoD criteria not met. Work Environment: May include temperature changes because of continuous opening and closing of outside doors. Telework eligible: No Remote work eligible: No
The following may result in a rating of ineligible. Ineligible applicants receive no consideration.
Submitting an incomplete application package may result in your not being considered for this position. Your resume must reflect that you are either Part-Time with the number of hours listed, Full Time, or 40 hours per week as your work schedule. If you fail to provide this information in your resume, your resume may be considered as incomplete.
Submitting encrypted documents or uploading Adobe portfolio documents.
Submitting any document that contains a photo or image of you.
Including social media links, inappropriate material or content, classified or government sensitive information, or personal information such as age, gender, race, religion, or social security number on your resume.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or questionnaire responses.
Deliberately attempting to falsify your application information, such as copying portions of this announcement into your resume.
Education
USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY
You MUST provide transcripts and/or other documentation to support your educational claims.
Transcripts. Required when using education to meet qualifications or when education is required.
Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.
Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.
When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities.
Additional information
Executive Order 12564 requires a federal workplace to be free of illegal drugs and prohibits the use of illegal drugs both on and off duty by federal employees. As a reminder, marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug by the Federal government and is prohibited for use by Federal employees even if such use is legal in the state where the Federal employee resides and/or works. The Defense Commissary Agency is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace where the use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal service.
The salary range at the beginning of this announcement reflects the General Schedule (GS) Base Salary, which does not include locality pay. Refer to Salary Tables to find the total salary (base + locality) for a specific location.
Upon first appointment to a civilian position in the Federal government, you are entitled only to the lowest step (Step 1) of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this announcement does not suggest or convey an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
The minimum age requirement is generally 18 years. Employing those under 18 may be possible under certain circumstances. If under 18 years of age, ensure you provide documentation showing how you are eligible.
Applicants with financial difficulty are not automatically removed from consideration.
Selectees are required to complete an online onboarding process.
Retired military service members cannot be appointed to a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian position within 180 days of their retirement date. 5 United States Code 3326.
In addition to regular pay (base + locality), positions in Puerto Rico are eligible for nonforeign area Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), which is exempt from federal income tax.
Current active duty armed forces personnel within 120 days of separation must submit written documentation from the armed forces certifying that the service member is expected to be separated from active duty service not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The document must include the following information: (1) service member's name, (2) date of the expected separation from active duty, (3) expected character of the active duty service at separation, (4) pay grade/rank/rate at separation, (5) dates of active duty service, and (6) any campaign or expeditionary medals received. You must submit the DD-214 when it becomes available.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Open-Continuous Cut-off Information: An initial cut-off date of 11/16/2025 will be used to evaluate candidates for the initial available vacancies. Any application received after the initial cut-off date will only be considered should additional vacancies be received after the initial cut-off date. If additional vacancies are received after the initial cut-off date, ALL applicants that have applied will be evaluated/re-evaluated and ranked as stated within the Evaluation statement in the announcement.?
HR reviews your documents to determine if you are qualified and meet requirements. Your questionnaire score is a preliminary measure of how well your background matches the required competencies.
Under category rating procedures you are placed into one of three categories based on the evaluation results:
Best Qualified -Candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the position's minimum qualifications, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factors.
Highly Qualified - Candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that exceeds the position's minimum qualifications.
Qualified- Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are proficient in some but not all of the position's requirements.
Candidates in the best qualified category are referred to hiring managers before candidates in other categories. Within the best qualified category, candidates are referred in the following order: adjudicated veterans' preference candidates with 10-point preference, adjudicated veterans' preference candidates with other than 10-point preference, military spouse preference candidates, and candidates with no preference.
HR refers qualified and appointable applicants to the hiring manager for selection consideration. Selections are subject to restrictions of the DoD referral system for displaced employees.
Neither preference nor priority entitles you to a Federal job. You must apply, meet the qualification standards and all additional requirements, and submit all necessary documents. Military spouses must be in the best qualified group in order to receive military spouse preference.
Veterans Preference:
You must provide a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty or other acceptable documentation that includes your character of service. The member 4 copy is preferred. Contact the National Archives or your military personnel records center to request a copy of your DD-214.
Those claiming 10-point preference must submit a completed SF 15 Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (For Veterans and Relatives of Veterans) and all required proof listed on the reverse of the SF 15. Note that a letter from the VA that contains the following may be sufficient instead of a SF-15: Dates of service, Discharge status, and Disability rating. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or call 1-800-827-1000 to obtain a copy of the VA letter establishing proof of disability.
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.
Resume:IMPORTANT UPDATE: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. Additional guidance on writing a federal resume can be found at: USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? Page margins should be 0.5 inches, font styles must be legible, and consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text. The resume must not be more than 5MB and should be saved and uploaded as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages.
At a minimum, your resume MUST contain:
Your name, address, phone, email address.
Job Title. Series and grade (Federal Positions only).
For each position held including employment beginning and ending dates (Month/Year).
Your resume should reflect a description of duties performed and that you are either Part-Time with the number of hours per week listed, Full Time or 40 hours per week as your work schedule.
SF 50 Notification of Personnel Action. Required for current and former federal employees. Submit a copy of your most recent SF 50 showing your current position title, pay plan-series-grade, tenure and position occupied.
ICTAP eligibility: Submit (1) a copy of your agency specific ICTAP eligibility notice or a copy of your separation personnel action form and (2) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and (3) a copy of your most recent SF 50 or agency notification of personnel action showing your current position, grade level, and duty location. Separation personnel actions do not include a certificate/notice of expected separation.
Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibility: 1. Submit a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist DD3145-1 (whs.mil. 2. a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG): In order to receive this preference, you must choose the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibility, and fill out and submit the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement (PPP DoD MR & NG):In order to receive this preference, you must choose the Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement eligibility and submit a completed Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received that states you are no longer eligible for Reserve membership due to a service-connected disability.
Military Spouse Preference: Submit (1) the Self-Certification Checklistand (2) proof of marriage to the military service member (e.g., marriage certificate, marriage license), and (3) a copy of the military service member's PCS orders.
Non-Competitive Military Spouse Preference: Submit (1) Marriage certificate and (2) a copy of your spouse's active Military Orders and (3) DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (if Applicable) and (4) DD1300 - Report of Casualty (If applicable).
Future military retirees and/or Future military separatees: must include a copy of their terminal leave request, if applicable, AND a copy of retirement DD214 [if available]. If DD214 not available, submit a certification document* or a copy of your retirement letter.
*A written document from the armed forces certifying the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certificate is signed. The certification must be on letterhead signed by the adjutant, personnel officer, unit commander or higher headquarters and include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge, character of service, and, if applicable, the date your terminal leave begins. This document is sometimes called a Statement of Service.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To receive consideration for the initial cut-off date of 11/16/2025, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) of that established date. All applications received thereafter will be considered should additional vacancies be received after the initial cut-off date in which additional cut-off dates will be established.
Your complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 01/18/2026.
You are responsible for verifying your application package is complete, accurate, and submitted timely. As uploaded documents may take one or more hours to clear the virus scan, plan accordingly to ensure your application process is complete and your application package is submitted by the specified closing date and time.
To begin, click Apply to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your resume, required documents, and/or other supporting documents. You need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply or create an account before applying. You will be taken to an online application. Follow all prompts and complete the online application, verify you've included all required and supporting documentation, and submit your application. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application is found at the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To receive consideration, you must complete all steps of the application process.
You can verify your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, selecting the Application Status link, and then selecting the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page displays your application status, the documents received and processed, and your questionnaire responses.
Defense Commissary Agency East
1300 E Avenue
Fort Lee, VA 22380
US
Next steps
Notices post to your USAJOBS account and are emailed to you. You can expect to receive a notice when you complete the application process, when your qualifications status is determined (qualified or not qualified), and when your referral status is determined (referred or not). If you are referred but not selected, you can expect to receive a final notice approximately 180 days after the announcement closes.
If a vacancy for the location(s) you selected does not occur within 90 days after this announcement closes, you may not receive a qualifications status or referral status notice.
The hiring manager may choose to conduct interviews and may conduct telephone interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Someone from the hiring agency (i.e., DeCA) will contact you if the hiring manager decides to interview you.
Should you receive a tentative job offer, be aware such offers are automatically withdrawn if you fail to (1) record an acceptance or declination by the response date provided in the offer notice and/or (2) meet any pre-employment requirements, including a scheduled appointment. If you receive a job offer, use a computer to submit your response rather than a mobile/cell phone.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume:IMPORTANT UPDATE: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. Additional guidance on writing a federal resume can be found at: USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? Page margins should be 0.5 inches, font styles must be legible, and consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text. The resume must not be more than 5MB and should be saved and uploaded as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages.
At a minimum, your resume MUST contain:
Your name, address, phone, email address.
Job Title. Series and grade (Federal Positions only).
For each position held including employment beginning and ending dates (Month/Year).
Your resume should reflect a description of duties performed and that you are either Part-Time with the number of hours per week listed, Full Time or 40 hours per week as your work schedule.
SF 50 Notification of Personnel Action. Required for current and former federal employees. Submit a copy of your most recent SF 50 showing your current position title, pay plan-series-grade, tenure and position occupied.
ICTAP eligibility: Submit (1) a copy of your agency specific ICTAP eligibility notice or a copy of your separation personnel action form and (2) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and (3) a copy of your most recent SF 50 or agency notification of personnel action showing your current position, grade level, and duty location. Separation personnel actions do not include a certificate/notice of expected separation.
Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibility: 1. Submit a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist DD3145-1 (whs.mil. 2. a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG): In order to receive this preference, you must choose the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibility, and fill out and submit the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement (PPP DoD MR & NG):In order to receive this preference, you must choose the Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement eligibility and submit a completed Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received that states you are no longer eligible for Reserve membership due to a service-connected disability.
Military Spouse Preference: Submit (1) the Self-Certification Checklistand (2) proof of marriage to the military service member (e.g., marriage certificate, marriage license), and (3) a copy of the military service member's PCS orders.
Non-Competitive Military Spouse Preference: Submit (1) Marriage certificate and (2) a copy of your spouse's active Military Orders and (3) DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (if Applicable) and (4) DD1300 - Report of Casualty (If applicable).
Future military retirees and/or Future military separatees: must include a copy of their terminal leave request, if applicable, AND a copy of retirement DD214 [if available]. If DD214 not available, submit a certification document* or a copy of your retirement letter.
*A written document from the armed forces certifying the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certificate is signed. The certification must be on letterhead signed by the adjutant, personnel officer, unit commander or higher headquarters and include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge, character of service, and, if applicable, the date your terminal leave begins. This document is sometimes called a Statement of Service.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To receive consideration for the initial cut-off date of 11/16/2025, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) of that established date. All applications received thereafter will be considered should additional vacancies be received after the initial cut-off date in which additional cut-off dates will be established.
Your complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 01/18/2026.
You are responsible for verifying your application package is complete, accurate, and submitted timely. As uploaded documents may take one or more hours to clear the virus scan, plan accordingly to ensure your application process is complete and your application package is submitted by the specified closing date and time.
To begin, click Apply to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your resume, required documents, and/or other supporting documents. You need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply or create an account before applying. You will be taken to an online application. Follow all prompts and complete the online application, verify you've included all required and supporting documentation, and submit your application. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application is found at the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To receive consideration, you must complete all steps of the application process.
You can verify your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, selecting the Application Status link, and then selecting the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page displays your application status, the documents received and processed, and your questionnaire responses.
Defense Commissary Agency East
1300 E Avenue
Fort Lee, VA 22380
US
Next steps
Notices post to your USAJOBS account and are emailed to you. You can expect to receive a notice when you complete the application process, when your qualifications status is determined (qualified or not qualified), and when your referral status is determined (referred or not). If you are referred but not selected, you can expect to receive a final notice approximately 180 days after the announcement closes.
If a vacancy for the location(s) you selected does not occur within 90 days after this announcement closes, you may not receive a qualifications status or referral status notice.
The hiring manager may choose to conduct interviews and may conduct telephone interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Someone from the hiring agency (i.e., DeCA) will contact you if the hiring manager decides to interview you.
Should you receive a tentative job offer, be aware such offers are automatically withdrawn if you fail to (1) record an acceptance or declination by the response date provided in the offer notice and/or (2) meet any pre-employment requirements, including a scheduled appointment. If you receive a job offer, use a computer to submit your response rather than a mobile/cell phone.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
