Procurement Officer - Prairie Research Institute

Procurement Officer - Prairie Research Institute

Prairie Research Institute

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive. Champaign-Urbana

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and governments of Illinois. Learn more at PRI jobs.

PRI is seeking to hire a Procurement Officer to provide expertise and facilitates operations for the Prairie Research Institute’s (PRI’s) human resources administration regarding the full employment life cycle including recruitment and hiring, compensation, international employment, employee relations and HR policy.

Job Summary

Independently perform purchasing functions including research, review, approval, and denial for purchasing requests made for up to one-thousand PRI employees for a variety of products and services, and advise PRI staff on the purchase of such items utilizing an internal purchasing tool to manage their workload.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Purchasing – Procurement Support
  • Facilitate, review, and approve all PRI’s purchases utilizing all University purchasing methods (Purchase Orders, Standing Purchase Orders, Change Orders, iBuy, P-Card)
  • Maintain supporting documentation in both SharePoint and Purchase Request database for transparency and audit purposes.
  • Review/reconcile/approve P-Card transactions.
  • Assist personnel with P-Card data base entry questions.
  • Communicate with vendors, subcontractors, and delivery personnel to verify pricing, shipping information, and other additional forms required (vendor forms, financial disclosures, contracts, certificate of insurance, etc).
  • Work with personnel to find the right product/service from selected vendors to meet the University BEP goals.
  • Assist with requests for extensions or amendments to existing contracts due to term limits or changes in product/service amount variation
  • Coordinate, review, issue simple contract documents (e.g. maintenance agreements).
  • Collaborate with Grant and Fund Manager to ensure allowability on grants versus ICR and other funds.
  • Provide interpretation of policies and procedures, and internal guidelines to personnel and vendors/contractors per University procurement law, rules and regulations.
• Purchasing – Outreach/Personnel Support
  • Advise personnel on procurement issues and research purchasing questions with the ability to answer and troubleshoot problems related to.
  • Communicate potential non-compliance issues and coordinate necessary resolution activities.
  • Work with PRI Finance staff to resolve orders, incorrect invoices, and payment delays with University Payables and Purchasing.
  • Serve as the liaison with University Purchasing, Payables and the Corporate Card offices.
  • Investigate complaints from staff and vendors/contractors and problems arising from the procurement of commodities; wrong/damage shipped, back ordered items.
  • Create/update job aids for internal tools and purchasing mechanisms.
  • Collaborate with customers, employees, and units in the best interests of the University of Illinois.
  • Maintain a professional working relationship with PRI units/surveys by serving as a subject matter expert and liaison between University Payables, University Purchasing, and UI Corporate Credit Card Office to promote understanding of policies and procedures.
• Travel
  • Provide backup approvals for Chrome River (CR) reimbursements and PRIDE Travel Planning data base.
  • Advise personnel on campus travel/miscellaneous reimbursement policies and procedures and assist personnel with CR and Travel Planning data base entry questions, which requires attention to detail and use of independent judgment in policy interpretation.
  • Maintain the CR Charge Code Manager Review approval queue as backup.
  • Understand and give guidance on allowability with different sponsor funding and travel related inquiries.
• Other
  • Keep abreast of developments in this discipline (policies and procedures).
  • Perform other duties as needed in order to further the mission and goals of PRI.
  
  

Additional Physical Demands

The work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Any one or any combination of the following, totaling one (1) year (12 months) from the categories below of which six (6) months must be actual work experience:

A. Work experience performing duties comparable to those performed at the Procurement Officer Assistant level of this series or in positions of comparable responsibility. AND/OR

B. College credit for course work in any field

• 30 semester hours equals six (6) months
• 60 semester hours or Associate’s Degree equals one (1) year (12 months)
• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• 120 semester hours or a Bachelor’s Degree equals three (3) years (36 months)
• Master Degree or higher equals four (4) years (48 months)

Preferred Qualifications

Valid driver’s license.
A minimum of 1 year in a business/accounting setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to use or learn purchasing/payables systems (Banner, iBuy, P-Card, iStores, iCS, TEM). Ability to comprehend University policies and procedures in the areas of procurement and University Payables. Ability to research and resolve invoice payment problems using the University’s Banner accounting system. Basic knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices. Knowledge of principles and methods for planning travel including relative costs and benefits. Skilled in negotiation and facilitation. Knowledge of materials related to procurement. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Attention to detail, sound judgement, and strong conflict resolution skills. Demonstrated ability to perform in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines. Proficiency in commonly-employed software and databases. Must be able to work independently. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 0308 - Procurement Officer position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 4/16/2026. The budgeted amount for this position is $42,725 to $50,000. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for a position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on April 16, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact mkweeks@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1035582
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu