Arraignment Courtroom Clerk Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. CRI-2025-0003 Department District of Columbia Courts
Salary $59,281.00 to $77,068.00 Grade 07 to 07
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/12/2025 Close Date 2/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Arraignment Courtroom Clerk supports the operations of the Criminal Division and is permanently assigned to the Criminal Arraignment Courtroom.  The Arraignment Courtroom Clerk is an essential position that is required to work late hours, holidays, weekends and when there are weather related closures. This position covers a high volume calendar by which speed and attention to detail are necessary in order to be successful.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residency or authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to work in the United States.

Duties

The Arraignment Courtroom Clerk will be expected to perform the following duties in a timely and competent manner, exercise sound and professional judgment, work independently and cooperatively, and communicate in a clear and courteous manner:

  • Provides accurate case information and assistance in a prompt and courteous manner.
  • Manages courtroom operations to ensure that appropriate personnel and parties are present for proceedings and that the courtroom is ready prior to calling the judge into the courtroom; calls the courtroom to order as needed.
  • Administers oaths to jurors, witnesses, and interpreters; takes notes and generates necessary paperwork in accordance with the rulings of the courts; inputs data as needed to ensure complete and accurate court records.
  • Assists in the jury selection process, to include the roll call of all jurors, recording to the number of strikes taken by each attorney, maintaining a list of all jurors selected, and communicating with the Juror Office, as required.
  • Submits requests and ensures the presence of language access interpreters and court reporters as needed.
  • Accurately maintains the official court record of court proceedings in a timely manner; prepares minutes, and records appearances of court participants.
  • Receives, marks, maintains records and temporarily assumes custody of evidence and exhibits until returned to a filer.
  • Enters case dispositions, judgments, postponements, fines, and costs ordered by the judge into the court’s case management system.
  • Prepares judicial orders, bench warrants, commitments, judgments, notices and other legal documents and forms as required, directed, or pursuant to the court’s ruling and provides copies to parties in compliance with the business processes and standard operating procedures.
  • Acts as a primary liaison to the assigned judicial officer for purposes of conducting proceedings, provides technical assistance and serves as an administrative resource in the courtroom.
  • Participates in training to ensure professional development and competency to provide services in all case types; assists in cross-training co-workers as needed or directed.
  • Provides coverage for courtrooms and calendars in other divisions and offices as needed.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Background and security investigation are required.
  • A probationary period of one (1) year must be successfully completed.

To qualify for this position, you must submit the following:

1. Resume
2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of HS diploma, GED certificate, college transcript or diploma)
4. List of three (3) professional references

All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: High School Diploma or GED plus three (3) years of administrative or clerical experience in a court, legal or office environment; or an Associate's degree plus (1) years of administrative or clerical experience in a court, legal or office environment

Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice, public or business administration, liberal arts, or a related degree; Some familiarity with the criminal judicial system, judicial branch or legal terminology is preferred.

The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts’ values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.

Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts is required.  If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.

Education

To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment.  You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.  

Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.

Please note there is a mandatory one year probationary period for all new court employees.

All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.

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.

This is not a federal position.

The District of Columbia Courts is an independent branch of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs:  Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.

Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:

http://www.opm.gov/Insure/health/enrollment/new_employees.asp

The DC Courts leave policy is as follows:

Annual Leave:  New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6)hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight(8)hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.

Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four(4)hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.

In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as a commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month. There are 26 pay periods in the year.

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.

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume.

Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and that you meet the minimum qualifications or your application will not be considered.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of HS diploma, GED certificate, college transcript or diploma)
4. List of three (3) professional references

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

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.  Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Agency contact information

A. Butler-Lambert
Address
District of Columbia Courts
Moultrie Building
500 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
United States

Next steps

Once your completed application is received, the qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome.


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


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