Position Overview:
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas is seeking an
experienced procurement professional to serve as a Contracting Specialist within the
U.S. District Clerk’s Office in Dallas. This position reports to the Procurement
Officer and serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing a wide variety
of acquisitions supporting court operations throughout one of the largest federal
judicial districts in the nation.
The Contracting Specialist performs advanced procurement activities requiring
substantial knowledge of procurement policies, contracting principles, negotiation
techniques, and sound business judgment. Responsibilities include acquisition
planning, solicitation development, source selection, contract administration, and
procurement oversight involving facilities, technology, furnishings, professional
services, operational support requirements, and construction-related acquisitions.
The successful candidate will independently manage multiple procurement projects
while ensuring compliance with Judiciary procurement policies, applicable
regulations, and internal controls.
Responsibilities:
- Adhere to the Guide to Judiciary Policy, Judiciary Procurement Program
procedures, procurement internal controls, and applicable federal laws and
regulations.
- Serve as a Contracting Officer and independently manage procurement
actions from initial requirement development through contract award and
closeout.
- Procure supplies, equipment, services, furnishings, technology systems,
facilities-related services, and construction-related requirements through
competitive acquisitions, existing government contracts, and open-market
procurements.
- Develop acquisition strategies and procurement plans that support
operational requirements while ensuring best value to the Judiciary.
- Prepare specifications, statements of work, solicitations, requests for
quotations, requests for proposals, and other acquisition documents.
- Research and evaluate vendors, obtain and review quotations, bids, and
proposals, and conduct source selection activities.
- Negotiate contract terms, pricing, and other acquisition-related matters with
vendors and contractors.
- Assess requests for goods and services to ensure compliance with applicable
limitations, restrictions, policies, and funding availability.
- Coordinate with court units, subject matter experts, facilities personnel, information technology staff, and vendors to ensure requirements are accurately defined and successfully executed.
- Prepare purchase orders and enter obligations into the Judiciary Integrated Financial Management System (JIFMS).
- Ensure complete and accurate procurement files are maintained and audit-ready, including all supporting documentation for purchases, contracts, and Reimbursable Work Authorizations (RWAs).
- Administer contracts and monitor contractor performance to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
- Process invoices and payments within JIFMS, including payment vouchers, obligation management, closeout activities, and approval coordination.
- Execute and maintain Court Reporter and Interpreter contracts and associated payments.
- Monitor unliquidated obligations and conduct periodic reviews of outstanding procurement actions.
- Assist with cyclical replacement planning and maintenance of facilities, furnishings, technology, and other court assets.
- Coordinate district-wide excess property activities, including automation equipment, furnishings, and related assets.
- Conduct vendor market research and maintain sources of supply for goods and services.
- Review supplier capabilities, pricing structures, quality standards, reliability, support services, and delivery performance.
- Travel periodically to divisional offices located in Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Abilene, San Angelo, Lubbock, and Amarillo.
- Maintain required contracting officer training and certification documentation.
Qualifications:
This position requires a minimum of three years of specialized procurement, contracting, acquisition, supply chain, purchasing, or related experience demonstrating progressively responsible duties.
The successful candidate must be capable of independently managing multiple projects simultaneously, exercising sound judgment, and working with limited supervision. Strong organizational, analytical, written communication, negotiation, and customer service skills are essential. Experience should demonstrate knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
- Contract administration
- Competitive sourcing and procurement
- Acquisition planning
- Vendor negotiations
- Procurement compliance
- Facilities, construction, technology, or service procurements
- Financial and procurement systems
- Audit-ready documentation practices
A bachelor's degree in business, public administration, supply chain management, finance, or a related field is preferred.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Federal, state, or local government procurement experience.
- Experience serving as a Contracting Officer or purchasing authority.
- Experience developing solicitations, specifications, or statements of work.
- Experience administering service, construction, or technology contracts.
- Experience with facilities-related or technology-related procurements.
- Experience interpreting procurement regulations, policies, and internal controls.
Pay: $50,737.00 - $90,606.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
