Procurement Officer

Duties

• Functional Management - Manage, develop, and mentor staff involved in procurement activities including establishing standards, assigning, and reviewing work, evaluating performance, and handling disciplinary actions. Adjust priorities and deadlines, as needed, for the completion of goals and coordinate work schedules and coverage needs within functional areas of responsibility. Oversee work products and processes and provide guidance as required. Monitor and evaluate the quality of work, level of compliance, or staff activities within the section. Ensure employees receive process and procedural systems training, including initial, updated, or remedial training.
• Procurement Management - Manage the full acquisition lifecycle. Serve as the court's senior contracting officer and review all major procurements for accuracy, ensuring the contracts for any purchase are timely recorded and include all necessary documentation in compliance with judiciary regulations and local policies. Develop and regularly maintain standard operating procedures for procurement and the receipt of goods and services. Supervise the procurement of supplies, equipment, services, and furnishings from government and non-government sources through new contracts, competitive bids, or existing government contracts. Manage the court-wide obligations process to ensure that obligations are valid and accurate. Engage in the periodic, structured, and consistent review of unliquidated obligations in collaboration with the Budget and Finance Specialists. Ensure proper training for all contracting officers and that all contracting officers maintain current certification and continuing education requirements. Act as liaison between the court and the Procurement Management Division for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
• Contract and Vendor Management - Supervise the preparation of pre-award specifications, solicitations, requests for information, and proposals or quotations confirming that they are thorough, clear, and meet customer needs. Ensure procurement staff conducts thorough research and evaluates suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, reliability, production, and history. Write and issue contracts, awards, and purchase orders. Records initial obligations, as well as upward and downward adjustments, ensuring that valid obligations are recorded and kept current. Maintain the documented process for ensuring that amounts reported as obligations are properly supported by documentary evidence. Evaluate and monitor contract performance, ensuring compliance with contracted obligations and the effective resolution of conflicts. Supervise the planning and coordination of delivery and installation for purchases with other court offices. Identify qualified vendors (suppliers) and maintain performance records.
• General Supervisory Responsibilities - Communicate and respond to requests from judges, chambers staff, and management about financial management, procurement, budget, and property management activities. Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to explain complex financial management, budget, and acquisition concepts to individuals and groups with varying experience and backgrounds. Interact effectively with vendors and staff, providing good customer service and resolving difficulties efficiently while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures. Facilitate, mediate, and negotiate complex and sensitive matters with judges, senior court staff, court management and staff, while maintaining confidentiality. Develop, implement, and maintain written procedures for assigned functions. Comply with, and maintain awareness of, the Guide to Judiciary Policy, applicable Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts' policies and procedures, internal controls guidelines, and all local policies and procedures. Abide by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Demonstrate sound ethics and good judgment. Display a careful and deliberate approach in handling confidential information in a variety of contexts.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C.§ 1324b(a)(3)(B). Under 8 U.S.C.§1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible, and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.

The position will report to downtown Washington, DC; however, limited telework may be available on an ad hoc basis and/or according to agency policy. Employees of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit are excepted service, at-will appointments. Federal government civil service classifications or regulations do not apply.

All offers of employment are provisional pending successful completion of a background check or investigation and a favorable employment suitability determination. Initial and continued appointment in this position is conditioned on a favorable moderate risk, five-year background investigation (renewed every five years). An unfavorable investigation at any point during employment may lead to removal. This position is subject to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  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.

  A generous benefits package is available to full-time permanent court employees including:

  • Paid vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
  • Optional participation in Federal Employees Health Benefits plans (health, dental and vision); Federal Employees Group Life Insurance; Flexible Benefits Program; Health Care Reimbursement (HCRA) and Dependent Care Reimbursement (HCRA).
  • Public transportation subsidy, on-site fitness center, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Optional participation in Thrift Savings Plan (up to 5% employer matched contributions).
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness program pursuant to the terms of the (PSLF) program.

  
  For more benefit information visit the Judiciary's Benefits Page.

  Review our 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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  1. Cover letter
  2. Résumé
  3. Completion of the online AO 78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment.
  4. Completion of online aptitude and personality tests.
  
  
  

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  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.

• How to Apply

  To be considered application packages must include:

  • Cover letter of no more than two pages, wherein the applicant describes the knowledge, skills, abilities, and or experience that would make the candidate well qualified to fill this position.

  • Résumé outlining educational background, employment history, and other relevant information.

  • Completion of the online AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment.

  • Completion of online aptitude and personality tests.

  Once you have the cover letter and résumé files (items 1 and 2 above) readily accessible in PDF format, follow the below link to submit your files and complete the online AO-78 and online tests (items 3 and 4 above): https://www.ondemandassessment.com/link/index/JB-2AKZME7JJ.
  
  Applicants who require an exception to the online application may contact Human Resources to request an alternate method using the following email: hr@cafc.uscourts.gov. Applications submitted to this email address will not be reviewed.

  Agency contact information

  Human Resources

  Phone

  (000) 000-0000

  Email

  HR@cafc.uscourts.gov

  Address

  US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  717 Madison Place, N.W.
  Suite 410
  Human Resources
  Washington, DC 20439
  US

  Next steps

  Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
  

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents