Duties
Case Management: Initiate, process, and manage case filings in the court's electronic case management platform and associated tools. Facilitate the timely progression of cases from initiation through termination according to court policies and processing standards. Ensure and maintain the accuracy and accessibility of all case records and related information, including appropriate handling of sensitive and confidential case materials. Prepare and issue accurate and timely court orders, case documents, and case correspondence. Apply system features, automated workflows, and available technology resources to maximize processing efficiency and support the timely progression of pending matters. Demonstrate proficiency with court technology systems and adapt effectively when platforms, workflows, or tools are updated or replaced. Participate in user acceptance testing, provide operational feedback during system implementations, and contribute to training or procedure updates as systems evolve.
Quality Control: Review case filings for compliance with applicable laws and court rules, including issuing compliance and quality control notices as appropriate. Refer matters for legal or judicial review and screen cases for calendaring according to court policies and processing standards. Monitor docket entries for accuracy and completeness, including performing quality control review on attorney-docketed entries. Understand the downstream effect of data quality on court reporting, performance metrics, and case management system integrity, and escalate systemic patterns or recurring discrepancies to supervisors. Monitor and update reports and use quality management tools to ensure the accurate and timely progression of cases pending before the court.
Records and Data Stewardship: Maintain the integrity of the official case record. Sort, classify, and file case documents in accordance with established procedures. Contribute to continuous improvement of data quality standards and case processing procedures by identifying workflow inefficiencies or recurring error patterns and raising them through appropriate channels. Support the development or revision of written procedures and quality control tools consistent with the court's quality management framework.
Public Stakeholder Support: Communicate and maintain a positive, professional, and solution-oriented approach to public stakeholder requests while providing timely and accurate responses and support consistent with court policies and standards. Assist and respond to public inquiries from litigants, counsel, and the general public through various channels. Provide information about case filing requirements, filing procedures, and general information about the court. Facilitate the resolution of public stakeholder issues and concerns. Perform financial deputy duties as needed to support the receipting of funds into the U.S. Treasury and court accounts.
Court Hearing Support: Attend court sessions and perform courtroom deputy functions, including setting up the courtroom, communicating and coordinating with arguing counsel before the start of the hearing, operating courtroom technology systems including audio-visual and recording equipment with proficiency, and assisting with the orderly flow of proceedings. Adapt to equipment changes or upgrades as introduced. Provide support to the judges scheduled for the hearing before and after the court session, including coordinating with chambers staff, ensuring judges have necessary court documents, and distributing hearing materials. Support remote and virtual hearings as needed.
General Deputy Clerk Responsibilities: Communicate and respond to judges, chambers staff, and management requests regarding court operations. Answer procedural questions for judges, staff, and the public. Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to explain complex operational matters and concepts to individuals and groups with varying experience and backgrounds. Interact effectively with the public and staff, providing quality service and resolving difficulties efficiently while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures. Develop, implement, and maintain written procedures for assigned functions; actively participate in process improvement efforts and contribute to a culture of operational excellence consistent with the court's quality management standards. Maintain operational proficiency across multiple functional areas within the Clerk's Office, including case management, public services, and courtroom operations, to support flexible deployment and continuity of operations. Participate in cross-training initiatives and contribute operational expertise when assigned to support functions outside primary responsibilities. Support office financial processes and court sessions as needed. Comply with the Guide to Judiciary Policy, Administrative Office policies and procedures, and internal controls.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C.§ 1324b(a)(3)(B). Under 8 U.S.C.§1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible, and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.
- All offers of employment are provisional pending successful completion of a background check or investigation and a favorable employment suitability determination. Initial and continued appointment in this position is conditioned on a favorable moderate risk, five-year background investigation (renewed every five years). An unfavorable investigation at any point during employment may lead to removal.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- CL 24 ($51,146 - $83,131): Possession of an undergraduate degree from an accredited university with superior academic achievement* and one year of specialized experience** -OR- Possession of a high school diploma (or equivalency) and three years of specialized experience**
- CL 25 ($56,478 - $91,839): Possession of an undergraduate degree and two years of specialized experience**, which must have been gained in a position within the federal judiciary. At least one of the two years must have been equivalent to the CL 24. -OR- Possession of a high school diploma (or equivalency) and four years of specialized experience** as defined below, which must have been gained in a position within the federal judiciary. At least one of the four years must have been equivalent to the CL 24.
*Superior academic achievement is defined as:
- An overall "B" grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0; or
- Standing in the upper third of the class; or
- "3.5" average or better in a legal studies, paralegal studies, or similar major field of study that would prepare a candidate well to perform in this position; or
- Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma XI, or one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies.
**Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation.
Note: Pay setting above the step 25 may only be considered for individuals with prior federal experience using the highest previous rate (HPR) policy.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Prior work or intern experience in a court, legal, or government work environment.
- Prior work or intern experience involving the federal judiciary's CM/ECF system.
- Prior work experience (including internships or volunteer work) in a public customer service-related role (e.g., public reception, public interaction, telephone answering, client interaction).
- Prior work or academic experience using the Microsoft 365 Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams.
- Prior experience with data quality review, records management, process improvement, or operational reporting.
Education
At a minimum, candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalency.
Additional information
- For in-person interviews, candidates must travel at their own expense.
- More than one position may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
- The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.
- The position will report to downtown Washington, DC; however, limited telework may be available on an ad hoc basis and/or according to agency policy. Employees of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit are excepted service, at-will appointments. Federal government civil service classifications or regulations do not apply.
- This position is subject to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.
- For full posting, please visit https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/HR/JobAnnouncements/CAFC-26-07-CaseManagementSpecialist.pdf.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
The candidate selected for this position will be eligible for a generous federal employee benefits package which includes:
- Paid vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
- Optional participation in Federal Employees Health Benefits plans (health, dental and vision); Federal Employees Group Life Insurance; Flexible Benefits Program.
- Public transportation subsidy, on-site fitness center, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Optional participation in Thrift Savings Plan (up to 5% employer matched contributions).
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness program pursuant to the term of the (PSLF) program.
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