Budget Manager

• Manages the annual budget in a decentralized budgeting environment. Remains current on applicable program requirements, updates, and changes. Reviews and certifies vouchers for payment. Monitors spending to identify problem areas and makes necessary changes. Collaborates with members of management on budget and organizational issues. Advises managers and unit executives on staffing costs, cost projections, and related issues. Participates in strategic planning and provides advice to help achieve court unit goals.
• Assists the unit executive by overseeing and managing the U.S. Probation Office budget on a day-to-day basis including planning, estimating, reprogramming, projecting, monitoring, and reporting status of funds. Ensures the funds are never exceeded in accordance with the Anti-Deficiency Act. Advises the unit executive of any unusual or critical budget funding, special situations or potential shortfalls and suggests possible solutions. Makes budgetary recommendations within allotments and coordinates budget operations, as required, with the Administrative Office Finance & Budget Division. Reviews accounting records of each functional area allotment, reprograms funds, and reconciles accounts. Keeps program managers informed of current funding within their programs.
• Formulates, evaluates, and implements policies, procedures, and protocols related to financial and budgetary operations, and execution within the unit and court. Serves as a liaison to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts by advising managers, executives, or judges on court financial and budget matters and serves as project manager on special financial or budget initiatives.
• Oversees the review of all vouchers related to various expenses for propriety of payment and proper classification of the funds disbursed.
• Manages, develops, and mentors professional staff involved in financial and budget activities and procurement functions, including establishing standards, assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, and handling disciplinary actions. Oversees the daily operations of staff, conducts staff meetings, provides information, and delegates work. Routinely checks work products and processes, and provides coaching, training and guidance as required.
• Prepares the overall fiscal budget plan for review by the unit executive. Performs data analysis and conducts modeling based on different operational scenarios. Manages all aspects of the budget throughout the fiscal year which includes reviewing the accuracy of allotments, preparation of the annual budget call, recommending and performing reprogramming between budget accounts, and coordinating financial appeals, supplemental requests, or justifications.
• Researches and analyzes financial-and-budget related questions, problems, trends, and areas for improvement. Responds or prepares written correspondence, as required. Conducts work measurement and work productivity studies related to financial, budget, and associated activities and prepares reports.
• Performs internal reviews to ensure that the court unit is in compliance with the Guide to Judiciary Policy, internal controls, and generally accepted accounting principles. Prepares documents to identify findings and develops written recommendations.
• In conjunction with the Chief U.S. Probation Officer, coordinates the annual spending plan and monitors ongoing revisions throughout the year to ensure availability and proper accounting of funds.
• Monitors and tracks obligations and expenditures throughout the execution phase of the annual operating budget. Verifies that obligations and expenditures are in accordance with the spending plan and regulatory controls, are within amounts programmed.
• Prepares complex financial and statistical reports related to budgetary obligations, expenditures, and projections. Prepares and submits reports required by the AO in a consistent and timely manner.
• Adheres to the internal control procedures and the internal control operating procedures in monitoring and executing the budget. Maintains a Budget Organization Plan which documents procedures related to the management, planning, formulation, and execution of the budget.
• Performs the day-to-day budget management functions within the Judiciary Integrated Financial Management System (JIFMS) accounting system. Reviews vouchers for payment of appropriated and non-appropriated funds. Maintains and monitors the Judiciary Payroll Projection System (JPPS) used to project salaries. Performs bi-weekly reconciliation of personnel costs.
• Performs projections related to salary expenditures and obligations. Reliably advises unit executives on staffing, costs and cost projections, and related issues.
• Serves as the Agency/Organization Program Coordinator (A/OPC) and approving official for the travel and purchase card programs ensuring that all spending adheres to the policies of the credit card vendor and travel policies.

Conditions of employment

• Applicants must be United States citizens or be eligible to work in the United States, under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B).
• Appointment to this position is contingent upon a background investigation including an FBI fingerprint check and a check of financial and credit records and is subject to reinvestigation every five years. Any position offer will be considered provisional until full suitability determination can be made.
• All judiciary employees are required to adhere to the Judicial Code of Conduct.

Qualifications

Court Personnel Classification level requirements:

• CL 28 - Bachelor's Degree and two years specialized experience
• CL 29 - Bachelor's Degree and three years specialized experience
• CL 30 - Bachelor's Degree and four years specialized experience

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Specialized experience and supervisory experience in a financial environment; experience in auditing and internal controls review and implementation; strong written and oral communication skills; excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to apply a body of rules, regulations and laws; knowledge and proficiency in Excel, Word, and other Windows based applications; ability to work successfully in a fast paced, team environment.

Specialized experience includes progressively responsible experience in at least one but preferably two or more of the functional areas of financial management and administration such as budgeting, accounting, auditing, or financial reporting that provided a knowledge of rules, regulations, and terminology of financial administration.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
An advanced degree in accounting, finance, or related field from an accredited educational institution. Prior experience working in Budget and/or Finance in a federal court unit, with special consideration for a candidate with budget experience in a Probation and/or Pretrial Services Office.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
A successful candidate must have unquestioned integrity, superior organizational and analytical skills, detailed oriented, and have the ability to problem solve and exercise sound judgement. Demonstrate sound ethics, maintain a professional demeanor and presence, possess effective verbal and written communication skills, ability to work with a wide variety of people with diverse backgrounds, manage multiple demands in a fast paced work environment, ability to compile information within established time frames, follow detailed instructions accurately and ability to adapt to change.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicant's education and work history will be reviewed to ensure qualifications are met.

Qualified candidates and/or transfers are invited to submit:

1. Letter of interest outlining your relevant experience
2. Detailed resume including education, previous employment, and key career accomplishments
3. Application for Judicial Branch Employment (AO78)

See 'How to Apply' for instructions.

Next steps