Chief Deputy Clerk Job

Vacancy No. WVN 2026-03 Department U.S. Courts
Salary $125,776.00 to $209,600.00 Grade 14 to 16
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/8/2026 Close Date 4/5/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Clarksburg, WVMartinsburg, WVWheeling, WV


Summary

The Chief Deputy Clerk is an executive-level management position that serves as a second-in-command to the Clerk of Court assisting the Clerk in the supervision, management, and administration of the Clerk's Office and acts on behalf of the Clerk in the Clerk's absence.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

This position directly manages and supervises assigned functional areas, including but not limited to operations, case management, budget, finance, human resources, IT, jury administration, procurement, and space and facilities. The position has regular interaction with judges, high-level officials of other organizations and agencies, and members of the bar and public.

  • The incumbent reviews and analyzes organizational structure, reporting relationships, and functional assignments;
  • Assists in strategic planning, staff development, and change management to meet current and future needs of the office;
  • Establishes and adjusts long range schedules, priorities, and deadlines for operational and administrative services;
  • Analyzes the quantity and quality of work and takes or recommends necessary corrective actions; and
  • Develops, refines, implements, and communicates office policies, procedures, and programs to enhance productivity.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship required or lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship.
  • Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit is required.
  • The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation through OPM as a condition of employment.
  • Veterans' preference is not a factor used in Judicial Branch appointments.
  • Employees of the U.S. District Court are "At Will" employees and are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct of Judicial Employees, which is available to candidates for review on our website at www.wvnd.uscourts.gov/.
  • Position may require travel.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Interested applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in administrative, supervisory, managerial, or professional work which provided an opportunity to gain (a) a general knowledge of management practices and administrative processes, (b) skill in dealing with others in person-to-person relationships and (c) the ability to exercise mature judgment.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrate strong leadership, organizational and problem-solving skills; possess a positive work attitude; maintain a professional demeanor; and consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of and progressively responsible experience in court or legal management in such areas as operations, information technology, space and facilities, human resources, finance, budget, and procurement. Experience in the federal court environment is advantageous, particularly when combined with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, CM/ECF and JIFMS. Experience in a legal field which required knowledge, interpretation, and application of Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure and/or federal statutes is highly desired. Person selected will be required to balance the demands of varying workload responsibilities and time sensitive deadlines.


Education

Interested applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

Additional information

Open until filled - first deadline to submit applications is January 30, 2026.

U.S. District Court 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.

Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, a flexible benefits program, a retirement plan, a savings/investment plan similar to a 401(k) with matching contributions, and a professional environment.

Review our benefits

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to the Qualifications section above, required for this position.

Required Documents

  1. Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO 78)
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Resume with salary history and 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

Qualified applicants must submit one PDF file with a completed Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO 78), a cover letter and a resume with salary history, and professional references. One PDF file should be sent to:

Kelly Fry, HR Administrator
U.S. District Court
1125 Chapline Street
P.O. Box 471
Wheeling WV 26003

OR

Email: kelly_fry@wvnd.uscourts.gov.

Agency contact information

Kelly Fry
Email
kelly_fry@wvnd.uscourts.gov
Address
US District Court, Northern District of West VA
1125 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
US

Next steps

Only the most qualified individuals will be invited for a personal interview.


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