$105,199 – $170,800 (CL 30) *

San Francisco, CA, or an alternative duty station within the Ninth Circuit.

• Actual salary based upon qualifications, experience, and duty station.

ABOUT THE OFFICE

The Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) serves the Ninth Judicial Circuit of the United States Courts. It is the largest federal circuit in the country, comprising nine western states and two territories. The Office serves the Court of Appeals as well as the District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Probation and Pretrial Offices, and Federal Public Defenders.

The OCE was created by statute to provide professional administrative staffing to circuit councils, which are composed primarily of judges engaged full-time in deciding cases. The OCE provides administrative support to the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit and its various committees. It also provides direct services to judicial court units in the Circuit. OCE responsibilities flow from directives of the Judicial Council or the Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit.

The OCE is committed to providing professional support to the Judicial Council and courts of the Ninth Circuit and ensuring the highest level of public trust in the administration of justice. This support includes identifying needs, conducting studies, proactively developing and implementing innovative policies, providing training, public information and human resources support, coordinating building and IT projects, and advising the Council on procedural and ethical matters.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The CJA Case Budgeting Attorney (CBA) is part of the Ninth Circuit's Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Unit within the OCE and funded by the Defender Services Office (DSO) of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. The CJA Unit is led by the CJA Supervising Attorney and includes two case budgeting attorneys, a CJA administrative attorney, a CJA analyst, and a CJA specialist. The primary focus of the CJA Case Budgeting Attorney's job is to provide guidance, support, oversight, and assistance to courts and CJA panel attorneys on funding and services for complex and high-resource CJA representations within the Ninth Circuit's district and appellate courts. The incumbent interacts frequently with judges, chambers staff, court executives, CJA panel attorneys, federal defenders, CJA administrative staff, and DSO personnel on CJA matters and assists with policy development.

Representative duties include:

• Managing case budgets throughout the Circuit by working with CJA attorneys, judges, and CJA administrators to fund high-quality, cost-effective representations in complex or high-resource criminal cases, federal death penalty cases, and capital habeas corpus proceedings.

• Working with CJA attorneys to identify, coordinate, and effectively use litigation resources (including experts and other service providers) and assisting with negotiating appropriate service provider rates and fees.

• Providing guidance on discovery management and coordinating shared resources in multi-defendant cases.

• Developing best practices and training programs for courts, CJA administrators, and panel attorneys on case budgeting, efficient resource management, and CJA vouchering.

• Serving as a resource for CJA Panel Attorney District Representatives, courts, and federal defender organizations regarding the CJA panel attorney program.

• Assisting with development and implementation of CJA policies and procedures, including district CJA plans, panel management, and compensability issues in coordination with the Ninth Circuit CJA Supervising Attorney and the AO's Defender Services Office.

• Collaborating with Case Budgeting Attorney colleagues across the country regarding best practices.

• Reviewing and making recommendations on attorney and service provider payment vouchers, as requested.

• Other duties and projects relevant to the position, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree (or equivalent) from an accredited law school.

• Membership in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, commonwealth, or federal court of general jurisdiction.

• A minimum of four years of experience in federal criminal defense.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Thorough understanding of the Criminal Justice Act and attorney billing practices, including experience with eVoucher.

• Demonstrated commitment to high-quality CJA representation and the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

• Exceptional organization, time management, and critical thinking skills; demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple demands, meet established deadlines, and fulfill commitments.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to use tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain strict confidentiality.

• Proficiency with MS Office products, including Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Teams.

REWARDS & PERKS

Salary: $105,199 – $170,800 (CL 30), depending on qualifications, experience, and duty station. 

Time off: 10 paid holidays, 13 vacation days, and 13 sick leave days per year. After three years, vacation days accrue at a higher rate.

Benefits:

• Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).

• Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans. Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.

• Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.

Other Perks: Telework opportunities; eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; public transit subsidy; alternate work schedules; reasonable work hours; on-site gym and café.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a single PDF through the Career Portal that includes: (1) a cover letter directly addressing this position, and (2) an up-to-date resume. Only applications with a cover letter and resume will be considered.

NEXT STEPS

• Priority given to applications received by January 15, 2021.

• Tentative interview dates via video conference:  February 1-5, 2021.

• Position open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the Court. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay required.

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including, but not limited to, budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER