Courtroom Deputy #2021-11
Announcement No.: 2021-11
Courtroom Deputy
Full-time/Regular
$51,709 - $84,059 (CL-27)
Starting salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The Clerk's Office for the Western District of Virginia seeks a professional to perform court and courtroom functions in support of court operations. The Clerk's Office currently consists of 43 employees who support 8 judicial officers and their staff located in seven divisions throughout the District (Abingdon, Big Stone Gap, Charlottesville, Danville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg and Roanoke). The position is located in the Roanoke divisional office. Occasional travel, including overnight, within and outside the district is required.
Roanoke is a great place to live and work. Nestled in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains just 250 miles southwest of Washington, DC, and 195 miles north of Charlotte, NC, Roanoke has earned the nickname "Star City of the South" by being the recreational, cultural and business hub of southwestern Virginia. Easily accessible from I-81, Roanoke is home to stunning natural beauty and regional attractions, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, museums and galleries highlighting the area's unique railroad heritage, and several local wineries and offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains or on the Appalachian Trail and swimming or boating on nearby Smith Mountain Lake. Discover the Roanoke Valley at www.roanokeva.gov.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
• Manage judge's cases by calendaring, including distributing and monitoring deadlines, monitoring filing of pertinent documents, and timely responses to judicial orders. Calendar and regulate case movement.
• Serve as primary source of information on scheduling conferences, hearings, trials, and other case processes. Coordinate hearings, communicate need for court reporters and interpreters, and inform jury clerk of upcoming trials, needs for jurors, etc.
• Manage and organize exhibits used in court proceedings, including setting up and troubleshooting electronic evidence presentation systems. Attend court sessions and conferences. Assist with the orderly flow of proceedings including, but not limited to, setting up the courtroom, assuring presence of all necessary participants, and managing exhibits. Take notes of proceedings, rulings, notices and prepare minute entries electronically.
• Review cases and reports for necessary actions.
• Keep judge and immediate staff informed of case progress. Assist the judge and parties in jury selection and maintain records of jury selection and attendance. Act as liaison between the Clerk's Office, the bar, the public, the judge and chambers staff to ensure that cases proceed smoothly and efficiently. Maintain contact with counsel during deliberations.
• Draft orders and judgments for the judge's approval including judgment and commitment orders. Docket orders, pleadings, judgments, and minutes as directed by local court policy, utilizing applicable automated systems.
• Assist in the accurate statistical reporting requirements of the Administrative Office. Review the quality of electronically filed documents, ensuring that all order and automated entries are appropriately and accurately docketed, and make summary entries on the docket of all documents and proceedings.
• May perform case administration duties and/or provide training or assistance to employees performing case administration duties, and administrative tasks such as financial transactions.
QUALIFICATIONS
At least two (2) years specialized experience with one-year equivalent to work at a CL-26 is required.
Specialized experience is 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.
An associate's or bachelor's degree as well as clerical/administrative experience in the legal field or prior federal judiciary experience are preferred. The ideal candidate is a self-directed, highly organized professional who is mature, responsible, and tactful; demonstrates initiative and the ability to exercise good judgment; is able to work harmoniously with a variety of staff at all levels of the organization; possesses excellent communication skills; understands the importance of confidentiality; and maintains a professional demeanor and appearance at all times.
BENEFITS
As part of a generous total compensation package, the federal judiciary offers a diverse group of benefit programs, including health, dental, and vision coverage, participation in flexible reimbursement accounts, and retirement benefits. For more information, visit http://www.uscourts.gov/Careers/BeneFitForLife.aspx.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Must be a U.S. citizen or meet the citizenship requirements for employment in the Judiciary. Visit the Court's web site at http://www.uscourts.gov/Careers/CareerCitizenshipRequirements.aspx for additional information on citizenship requirement. Selectees are subject to a background investigation, including fingerprinting, and subsequent favorable suitability determination. This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer (direct deposit) for payment of salary. The Court requires employees to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees, which is available for review on the Court's web site at http://www.uscourts.gov/RulesAndPolicies/CodesOfConduct.aspx.