Administrative Specialist Job in Jackson, MS

Vacancy No. DEST-12734510-25-NL Department U.S. Courts
Salary $59,133.00 to $115,213.00 Grade 27 to 27
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/28/2025 Close Date 9/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Jackson, MS


Summary

The United States Probation Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is accepting applications for the position of Administrative Specialist. The Administrative Specialist performs and coordinates administrative, technical, and professional work related to multiple administrative functions (such as, but not limited to, human resources and procurement). This includes ensuring compliance with the appropriate guidelines, policies, and approved internal controls.

Duties

  • The following are intended to provide generalized examples of major duties and responsibilities of this position.
  • Implement and administer human resources policies, procedures, and standards. Research, draft, and recommend human resources policies for the court unit. Provide information and guidance to judges, executives, senior managers, and court staff on human resources matters, procedures, and practices.
  • Develop and maintain all recruitment related records, including position announcements, interview information and applicant demographic statistics, and recruitment files. Determine and use best methods to source applicants. Process recruitment requests; including, prepare notice of vacancy, review and rank applications, conduct initial telephone interview of top ranked applicants, and coordinate and participate on interview panels.
  • Coordinate and conduct new-hire orientation for new probation's office employees to include a review of payroll information, personnel policies and procedures, and benefit options.
  • Assist and advise new and existing employees on payroll and benefit related matters and ensure requested actions meet applicable policies and requirements. Assist with organizing and conducting annual benefits open season fair and corresponding information workshops.
  • Process a variety of personnel and payroll actions such as appointments, promotions, separations, terminations, within-grade increases, and changes to employee benefits. Monitor and ensure all staffing and payroll actions are processed in a timely and correct manner.
  • Serve as a Time Administrator, which includes monitoring and processing employees' time and attendance related records and ensuring that transactions and records adhere to appropriate rules and regulations.
  • Maintain statistics for annual Fair Employment Practices System and Telework reports. Assist with grievance and adverse action procedures.
  • Manage background check and fingerprinting program by verifying applicant employment, checking references, taking employee fingerprints, completing and filing necessary forms, tracking and reporting results, and developing and maintaining record keeping systems.
  • Develop, coordinate, and facilitate technical training for new and existing employees on a wide variety of human resources related automated systems. Administer assigned systems. Develop and manage the integration process of new systems into local processes. Develop and maintain the content for the human resources section of the court unit's Intranet website.
  • Establish and maintain a wide variety of personnel related records, including individual personnel files and records, in accordance with the relevant record retention guidelines.
  • 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.
  • Procures supplies, equipment, miscellaneous services and furnishings from government and non-government sources through new contracts, competitive bids or existing government contracts. Plans and coordinates time and delivery of purchases.
  • Contracts for maintenance and repair of equipment and furniture.
  • Assess requests for goods and services by ensuring that they are allowable under limitations, restrictions, and policies, as well as determining availability of funds, including maintaining GSA and other supplier catalogs for review by unit personnel in making or suggesting need. Review accounting records of each functional allotment and reconcile accounts. Ensure that accounts have funds available for items being purchased. Prepare spreadsheets and maintain databases to track certain expenditures.
  • Identifies and maintains lists of vendors and sources of supply for goods and services. Review, evaluate, verify, and process invoices and prepare payment requests. Updates the inventory listing of property and conduct inventory reconciliations.
  • Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production, and distribution capabilities as well as the reputation and history. Prepare specifications, solicitations, and requests for qualifications/proposals; research products and equipment; prepare product/equipment specifications. Obtain and review competitive bids, quotes, and proposals from vendors and contractors (to include treatment services for offenders); discuss evaluations and review with requesters and subject matter experts.
Please see a continuation of this position duties within the Additional Information section of this announcement.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must be citizens of the United States of America or be eligible to work in the United States. A background investigation with law enforcement agencies, including fingerprint and criminal records checks will be conducted. In addition, as conditions of employment, incumbent will be subject to updated background investigations every five years or as deemed necessary. Any applicant selected for a position will be hired provisionally pending successful completion of the investigation. This position is subject to mandatory Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payment of net pay.

Qualifications

Two years specialized experience. Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible employment in the human resources or financial or business field utilizing rules, regulations, practices, and principles of human resources or financial administration or accounting and involves the routine use of a variety of office equipment and applications, such as word processing, email, spreadsheet, automated human resources management and financial systems, and other computer-based systems.
The applicant must have a positive attitude, deliver excellent customer service, and be detail oriented. Strong analytical skills, excellent organizational skills, willingness to learn and participate in a team environment, ability to respond to requests on short notice, and the ability to manage multiple tasks are essential.

Education

Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in a field of academic study such as accounting, business or public administration, or human resources.

Additional information

This is a continuation of duties from the Duties section of this announcement.

  • Negotiate with vendors for the best price over contracted services and purchases. 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. Recommend cyclical replacement of accountable property.
  • Coordinates with Treatment Specialist to conduct regular monitoring visits of contract agencies and service providers as provided in national policy, to include evaluation and monitoring of contract performance to ensure compliance of contracted obligations.
  • Maintain paper and computerized records of test results and inventory of test cups.
  • Review treatment invoices to certify services delivered according to procurement and contracting guidelines ensuring appropriate disbursement of funds.
  • Monitor, coordinate, and react to day-to-day facilities management issues, which may involve structures, building systems, technology, grounds, and security.
  • Adhere to the Guide to Judiciary Policy and Judiciary Procurement Program Procedures on procurement practices. Prepare spreadsheets and maintain databases to track certain expenditures. Adhere to the court unit's internal control procedures.
  • This position may require travel. The incumbent is expected to use his or her personal vehicle (POV) and will be reimbursed for gas mileage at the current GSA mileage reimbursement rate.
  • Participate in special projects related to administrative service functions.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Disclosures:
The United States Probation Office reserves the right to modify the conditions of this vacancy announcement, or fill multiple positions from this vacancy announcement, to withdraw the announcement, or to fill the position sooner than the closing date without prior written notice. The United States Probation Office requires employees to adhere to a Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. The Court will not reimburse candidates for travel in connection with interviews or pay for any relocation expenses. We appreciate your interest in employment with our district.

~THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

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.

The U. S. Probation Office falls within the Judicial Branch of the U. S. Government. Judiciary employees serve under "Excepted Appointment" and are considered "At-Will" employees. Benefits include participation in the Federal Employees' Retirement System which contributes to the Social Security Retirement Program, Federal Employees' Health Benefits, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401 K plan with employer matching contributions), paid holidays, and annual and sick leave accrual.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Application, Cover Letter, Resume, and Interview are also assessed.

Required Documents

Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment Form AO 78 which can be found at https://www.mssp.uscourts.gov/employment-opportunities
Cover Letter
Resume

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

Applicants must submit (1) A Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment Form AO 78 in its entirety (including "Optional Background Information), which can be found at https://www.mssp.uscourts.gov/employment-opportunities, (2) a resume and (3) a cover letter which addresses qualifications, skills, and experience necessary to perform the duties. The documents may be sent via e-mail to mssp_jobs@mssp.uscourts.gov with Vacancy Announcement 25-7 Administrative Specialist in the subject line. E-mailed documents must be in PDF. The position is open until filled; applications received by 06/06/2025, will receive priority consideration.

Agency contact information

Human Resources
Address
US Probation and Pretrial Services - Mississippi Southern
501 E. Court Street
Suite 1.550
Jackson, MS 39201
US

Next steps

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited for interviews and only those interviewed will receive a response. Applicants must travel at their own expense. Relocation expenses are not reimbursable.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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