The United States Probation Office for the District of Oregon is accepting applications for Procurement Specialist to be stationed in Portland, Oregon. The Procurement Specialist performs and coordinates administrative, technical, and professional work related to ensuring that the Probation office is supplied with the materials, equipment, and services required to function optimally. The incumbent purchases supplies, equipment, and furnishings within a set dollar amount. In addition, this position maintains service contracts with treatment providers used by probation officers' clients in accordance with court policies. The incumbent will be responsible for assisting with procurement and inventory activities through accurate record keeping and tracking, receiving and checking deliveries, and assisting with preparing purchase orders and invoice payments. This position also includes working with the travel, treatment, and Second Chance programs. The Procurement Specialist ensures compliance with appropriate guidelines, policies, and approved internal controls.

Representative Duties

• Procures goods and services from government and non-government sources through new contracts, competitive bids, or existing government contracts. Plans and coordinates time and delivery of purchases. Identifies and maintains lists of vendors and sources of supply for goods and services. Reviews, evaluates, verifies, and processes invoices and prepares payment requests. Updates the procurement information for inventory listing of property and assists with coordinating G-Car maintenance and records.
• Assesses requests for goods and services by ensuring that they are allowable under limitations, restrictions, and policies, as well as determining availability of funds. Reviews accounting records of each functional allotment and reconciles accounts. Prepares spreadsheets and maintains databases to track certain expenditures (e.g. Second Chance Act, Transit Subsidy Program, etc.)
• Prepares travel vouchers and enters in accounting system. Checks figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes. Communicates with staff to respond to questions, problems, or insufficiencies with voucher submissions and the status of payment vouchers.
• Adheres to the Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol. 14 (Procurement). Adheres to the court unit's internal control procedures.
• Assists with space and facilities project needs, including installation and/or removal of furniture.
• Assists with DATS invoicing and contracting as needed.
• Completes Contracting Officer Program certification levels 1, 2, and 3 after appointment, and continues to maintain this certification by completing continuing education courses as required. Acts as back up Second Chance credit card holder for purchases.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify at CL-25, step 1, applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have one year of specialized experience. To qualify at CL-25, step 2 – 25, applicant must have at least two years of specialized experience. Education may not be substituted for specialized experience.

Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience that provided knowledge of the rules, regulations, practices, and principles of procurement administration and/or financial administration and/or accounting; and involved the routine use of automated financial and accounting systems or other computer-based systems and applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, or databases. Evidence of specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Please provide such documentation on your AO78 application form in the work experience section, under description of work.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the minimum qualifications, preference will be given to candidates with:

• Federal contracting or purchasing experience, preferably with the Judiciary; and/or
• Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Candidates must also demonstrate:

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Skill in using Windows-based personal computers and standard software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, internet searches, etc.;
• Familiarity with standard office equipment such as scanners and copy machines;
• Proficiency in typing and data entry skills, as well as extensive knowledge of proper grammar usage and the ability to edit efficiently;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to work as part of a team;
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work assignments and meet deadlines; and
• A professional demeanor and appearance appropriate for a law or professional office environment.

Application Process

To apply, submit the following:

1. Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment (AO 78)
   This position requires a background investigation for system access. Applicants must complete the Background Information questions 19, 20, and 21 on page 5 of the application;
2. Cover letter;
3. Resume (chronological order); and
4. List of 3 professional references with telephone and email contact information.

Please send complete application packets via email to in PDF form and include 'ORP-25-02 Procurement Specialist' in the subject line. All documentation should be combined into one PDF. Please type or print all information and sign and date forms where indicated. Incomplete packets will not be considered. Applicant packets must be received by 4:30 p.m. on June 6, 2025.

Due to the volume of applications, the U.S. Probation Office will only communicate with those individuals who are invited for personal interviews and only applicants who are interviewed will receive a written response regarding their application status. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense. Relocation expenses are not authorized and will not be reimbursed. Verification of employment, education, and reference checks will be made prior to any offer of employment. The selectee for this position will be subject to a criminal background record check and consumer credit check before an employment offer is made.

Employee Benefits

Employees of the United States District Courts are not included in the Government's Civil Service classification. They are, however, entitled to the same benefits as other federal government employees. Some of these benefits are:

• Full-time employees accrue 13 days of paid vacation per year for the first 3 years of employment up to a maximum of 26 days per year at the 15-year anniversary.
• Participation in a retirement program with optional participation in the federal government's deferred compensation program, the Thrift Savings Plan. New employees entering Federal service on or after January 1, 2014, contribute 4.4% of their base pay to the FERS Basic Benefit plan throughout their career.
• Optional participation in a federal health insurance plan of choice.
• Optional participation in supplemental insurance programs, including group long-term care, group long-term disability insurance and dental and vision insurance.
• Optional participation in the flexible spending account program for unreimbursed medical, dental, and vision expenses; dependent care expenses; and commuter expenses.
• A minimum of 11 paid holidays per year.
• Time-in-service credit for employees of other federal agencies (some prior military service may qualify) for determining leave accrual and retirement benefits.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents currently seeking citizenship or intending to become a citizen after meeting the eligibility requirement as outlined in 8 U.S.C § 1324b(a)(3)(B).
• False statements or omissions of information on any application materials or the inability to meet conditions of employment may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
• All information is subject to verification and background investigation.
• Qualified applicants applying for Probation and Pretrial Services positions will be subject to preliminary credit, employment, and criminal history background checks.
• Employees (except for Probation Law Enforcement Officers) of the United States Courts serve under “Excepted Appointments” and are considered “at will” employees.  As such, employment can be terminated at any time.
• Duty station assignments are at the sole discretion of the appointing officer.
• Employees are subject to mandatory participation in electronic funds transfer (EFT) for payment of net pay (i.e., Direct Deposit). (Limited exceptions are available upon request.) 
• The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of posted job announcements or to withdraw an announcement entirely, either of which may occur without prior written or other notice.
• In the event a position becomes vacant in a similar classification within a reasonable time from the original announcement, the appointing officer may select an appointee from the candidates who responded to the initial announcement without posting the vacancy.

For Further Information

• Learn more about the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and the Probation Office.
• Employee Benefits