The United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office in the Northern District of Iowa is accepting applications for a Human Resources specialist with a partial focus on Procurement. Specific tasks and duties will be assigned by management staff and periodically adjusted or reevaluated based on district needs and/or priorities, including other administrative tasks such as space and facilities, property, and administrative support. The position may occupy an office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, or Sioux City, Iowa; however travel to the other office is required, as needed.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

Human Resources Duties (Primary Focus)

• Formulate, implement, and administer human resources policies, procedures, and standards. Review, research, analyze, develop, and recommend human resources policies.
• Ensure adherence to the Guide to Judiciary Policy and Human Resources Manual regarding human resources practices and separation of duties. Develop, monitor, and update internal controls policies and procedures related to human resources.
• Coordinate with managers and the court unit executives on the assessment and evaluation of staff performance throughout the year and maintain a tracking system for employee evaluations and step increases. Assist court unit executives in the development of performance management plans and compensation strategies. Administer performance management systems, including assisting in the development of performance standards and rating criteria.
• Advise court unit executives, managers, and employees on human resources matters, procedures, and practices. Provide advice on employee relations, disciplinary actions, performance management, staffing and cost projections, benefits, and related issues.
• Serve as the administrator of the Facility Access Card (FAC) system and the Fingerprint Transmission System.
• Assists with processing a variety of human resources and payroll actions, such as appointments, promotions, separations, etc.
• Processes workers compensation claims.
• Gathers data for required reports, such as telework, fair employment practices and workers compensation.
• Supports the recruitment process, including preparing and distributing announcements, coordinating interviews, conducting reference checks, and maintaining associated records. Reviews applications for completeness and determines if applicants meet minimum qualification requirements.
• Assists in administering background and investigations checks, employment tests, and issuing credentials.
• Coordinates employee onboarding and offboarding by ensuring proper completion of paperwork.
• Maintains and monitors human resources records, including payroll, leave and time keeping records using Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS), adhering to national and local guidelines. Track and enter time sensitive data, such as employees' date of promotion, performance evaluations, and step increases. Maintains leave and time keeping records.
• Serves as the benefits program coordinator, including managing and distributing benefits materials, processing forms, and addressing routine benefits questions and resolving benefits issues.
• Assist with employee recognition programs. Coordinate human resources-related events and district meetings.
• Assists with coordinating and tracking training, maintaining records, and preparing training reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Procurement Duties (Partial Focus):

• Ability to obtain Contracting Officer Program Certification Levels 1, 2 and 3 after appointment and continue to maintain this certification by completing continuing education courses as required.
• Act as Second Chance credit card and small purchase card holder.
• Procure supplies, equipment, services, and furnishings from government and non-government sources through new contracts, competitive bids, or existing government contracts. Plan and coordinate time and delivery of purchases.
• Confirm availability of funds. As needed, provide expenditure reports to supervisor for special projects.
• Prepare purchase orders from approved requests; ensuring proposed purchase will satisfy the requestor’s need, and forward for approval.
• Order repairs and oversee maintenance on office equipment.
• Assists with internal controls compliance, annual self-assessments, and cyclical audits, including auditor document requests and submissions.
• Coordinate with selected vendors on supply and delivery of purchased items. Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contracted obligations; assist with clarifying contract requirements and resolving any conflicts.
• Identify and maintain lists of vendors and sources of supply for goods and services. Assist with records management by filing, scanning, and maintaining procurement documents in accordance with the record disposition schedules and Judiciary Procurement Program Procedures.
• Adhere to the Guide to Judiciary Policy and Judiciary Procurement Program Procedures. Adhere to the court unit internal controls procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior administrative, professional, or managerial experience. 
• Maintain excellent prioritization and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and follow up with tasks as assigned.
• Ability to consistently exercise mature judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for CL27

(Qualifications must be met at the time of application and may be reassessed throughout incumbent tenure)

• Two years of specialized experience;

or

• Completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following superior academic achievement requirements:
  • An overall “B” grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0;
  • Standing in the upper third of the class;
  • “3.5” average or better in the major field of study, such as business or public administration, human resources management, industrial relations, or psychology;
  • Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma XI, or one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies; or
  • Completion of one academic year (18 semester or 27 quarter hours) of graduate study in an accredited university in business or public administration, political science, criminal justice, law, or other fields closely related to the subject matter of the position.
  • All applicants must be a citizen of the United States or be eligible to work in the United States.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Specialized experience is hands-on experience in work more directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position to be filled. It is defined as precisely as necessary to give reasonable assurance that a person meeting the standards will be able to perform satisfactorily. Specialized experience is more narrowly defined in each qualification standard. As defined by a specific qualification standard, specialized experience may always fulfill a general or specialized experience requirement (but the same period of experience may not be credited for both).

Progressively responsible experience in or closely related to the position's work that has provided the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position's duties successfully.

Progressively responsible experience in at least one but preferably two or more functional areas of human resources management and administration (classification, staffing, training, employee relations, etc.) that provided knowledge of the rules, regulations, terminology, etc. of the area of human resources administration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Mandatory evenings and/or weekend work may be required for mission critical tasks. Some training and travel, including overnight stays, may be required. May be required to work more than 40 hours per week in order to meet job requirements and deadlines. Overtime pay is not authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Based on the needs of the office, the U.S. Pretrial Services & Probation Office reserves the right to assign/reassign employee task emphasis based on information contained in their position description and dependent on employee qualifications.

Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the aforementioned conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.

All information provided by applicants is subject to verification of application materials, social media inquiries, and criminal history record checks conducted by utilizing local, state, and national databases. The United States Probation Office reserves the right to check references and contact former employers and subordinates. This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payment of net pay.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Wellness: We are committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and connectedness that supports life balance and honors the diverse backgrounds of the people we represent. In recruiting members of our team, we welcome all qualified applicants. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to our office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences. We know that the best representation occurs through a healthy, diverse, collaborative, and inclusive workforce. 

• Up to 13 days paid vacation per year for the first 3 years of employment; 20 to 26 days per year thereafter (dependent upon the length of federal service).
• A minimum of 11 paid holidays per year.
• Sick leave of 13 days the first year, increased thereafter per policy.
• Up to 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave, if qualified.
• Excellent retirement package:
  1. Mandatory participation in the Federal Retirement System (FERS) and Social Security programs.
  2. Optional Thrift Savings Plan (employer matching component) with diversification control.
  3. Cost-of-Living Adjustments, as approved by Congress.
  4. Full extension of health benefits.
• Optional participation in the federal health insurance program of your choice (no waiting period).
• Optional vision, dental, and disability insurance programs of your choice (no waiting period).
• Optional participation in a flexible spending program for health and/or dependent care.
• Optional participation in group life insurance; disability; and long-term care programs.
• Optional association-based memberships.
• On-site wellness room and emphasis on self-care.
• Flexible schedule options including work from home opportunities (after a period of establishment and good performance).
• Paid parking.
• A great team environment that values diversity!
• For additional information, please visit www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.