Budget and Procurement Specialist

Budget and Procurement Specialist

Department: Judicial Branch

Location(s): Madison, Wisconsin

Salary Range: $59732 - $97098 Per Year

Job Summary: The Budget and Procurement Specialist will perform and coordinate administrative, analytical, technical, and professional work related to financial, accounting, and procurement activities of the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office. They will ensure compliance with Judiciary policies, applicable laws, and internal controls. In addition, the Budget and Procurement Specialist is expected to stay informed of new policies and program developments.

Major Duties:

• Budgetary/Financial Duties: Assist with formulation, evaluation, and implementation of approved policies and procedures related to budget execution throughout the Probation Office. Provide analysis and recommendations regarding financial matters to the Chief U.S. Probation Officer. Assist with developing and maintaining the spending plan and identifying amounts required to pay personnel and to maintain basic mandatory operations, as well as amounts needed to support desired enhancements. Perform data analysis and conduct modeling based on different scenarios. Execute approved budget plans. Review spending and fund balances routinely and recommend reprogramming actions to cover projected shortfalls and changing priorities. Conduct planning, forecasting, and monitoring of spending, and ensure funds are used appropriately and within approved limits. Ensure allotment levels are not exceeded, and obligations are not made in advance of an appropriation, allotment, or reprogramming transaction. Participate in advance review and approval of major purchases. Enter allotments or any adjustments to allotments into the financial management system and the unit's Status of Funds Report. Enter reprogramming or standard voucher transactions to move funds within a fund or from one fund to another in both the financial system and the Status of Funds report. Maintain oversight and approval documentation of annual budget call requests, appeals to allotments, supplemental funding requests, and intra-fund and inter-fund reprogramming requests and approvals. Prepare and electronically submit the unit's Electronic Status of Funds reports monthly, as required. Maintain approved Electronic Status of Funds reports and any supporting documentation in a chronological file by fiscal year. Provide budget forecasting reports to the Chief U.S. Probation Officer monthly to track spending priorities and ensure that the total court unit allotment will not be exceeded. Develop a variety of reports based on historic and current data, including statistics on spending patterns, expense projections, and similar information. Respond to requests for information and clarification from department representatives regarding the budget. Track obligations and expenditures of departments to ensure compliance with spending plan, internal controls, and policy. Collect, review, analyze, and maintain records of actual operating expenses and revenues to compare with estimated budget. Ensure appropriate internal controls for disbursement, transfer, recording, and reporting of monies are followed. Review purchase requests related to proposed expenses for appropriateness of procurement and sufficiency of funding. Prepare, update, examine, and analyze a variety of regular and non-standard reports. Design, develop, and maintain spreadsheet formats and programs for analyzing budgetary information. Use a wide variety of manual and automated accounting systems and tools and assist other court employees in the use of these systems and tools. Prepare travel authorizations and travel vouchers for probation staff and submit for reimbursement. Serve as the point of contact for travel and purchase card programs; review and process travel reimbursements and resolve submission issues as needed. Use a wide variety of manual and automated accounting systems and management tools to develop financial reports based on historic and current data, including statistics on staffing, spending patterns, expense projections, and similar information. Procurement Duties: Act as Levels 1 and 3 Contracting Officer; Assist Level 2 Contracting Officers. Responsible for the financial management oversight of treatment services programs and make regular budget presentations to executives on spending and projections. Assess requests for goods and services, ensuring they are allowable under limitations, restrictions, and policies. Verify that accounts have funds available for items being purchased. Prepare spreadsheets and maintain databases to track certain expenditures. Procure authorized supplies, equipment, services, and furnishings from government and non-government sources through new contracts, competitive bids, or existing government contracts. Adhere to the Guide to Judiciary Policy regarding procurement program policies, procedures and practices. Adhere to the Court's internal control procedures and separation of duty practices. Identify vendors and sources of supply for goods and services. Review, evaluate, and verify accuracy of invoices and prepare payment requests. Prepare specifications, solicitations, and requests for qualifications/proposals; research products and equipment; and prepare product/equipment specifications. Obtain and review competitive bids, quotes, and proposals from vendors and contractors; and discuss evaluations and reviews with requesters and subject matter experts.

Qualifications: To qualify for the position at a Classification Level (CL) 27, an applicant must have at least two years of specialized experience, including at least one year at the CL 25 or equivalent, or a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in business, accounting, finance, or other field closely related to the subject matter of the position. The Budget and Procurement Specialist will need to be proficient in Microsoft Excel and will be required to complete the Contracting Officer Certification Program. Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible experience in or closely related to the work of the position that has provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. This would include experience in the functional areas of financial management and administration, including budget, accounting, auditing, and/or financial reporting that provided knowledge of the rules, regulations, and terminology associated with financial administration. Preferred Skills: In addition to the minimum qualifications, preference will be given to applicants who are able to demonstrate, through work experience or related education, knowledge of, and familiarity with the following areas: Financial and accounting management, budgeting and federal judiciary budget guidelines and policies, including allocating formulas, processes, and guidelines Accounts, procedures, and applicable financial systems of the judiciary, including JIFMS Auditing and internal controls review and implementation Government accounting and procurement processes A master's degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field from an accredited institution.

How to Apply: Please apply using the following link: Application Link Complete the information fields and attach the requested documents: an updated resume; a letter of interest of no more than two pages that details your experience in government accounting and procurement. If your background is in the private sector, explain how you have tackled similar complex systems and how you will translate that experience to ensure success in this role; an Application for Judicial Branch Employment (AO78) (the form is included in the application link); and a list of three (3) professional references. Open until filled; preference will be given to complete applications submitted by March 25, 2026. Please review complete job announcement for any additional information: Career Opportunities - Western District of Wisconsin Incomplete applications packets will not be considered. Only the candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Travel expenses associated with an interview will be borne by the applicant. All information provided by applicants is subject to verification. False statements or omission(s) of information on any application material may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-25