$51,602 – $83,935 (CL 25)

$56,845 – $92,403 (CL 26)

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 all the judicial court units in the Circuit. All OCE responsibilities flow from directives of the Judicial Council or the Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit. The OCE is organized around the Council's core functions.

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 Specialist performs administrative and analytical duties as part of the Ninth Circuit's CJA Unit. The primary focus of the job is to review CJA funding and payment requests, maintain databases, and provide administrative support, with a focus on ensuring accuracy and adherence to applicable policies, guidelines, and protocols.  The incumbent will also support the Ninth Circuit's Standing Committee on Federal Public Defenders (FPD), which makes recommendations concerning the appointment of FPDs and conducts periodic management surveys to assess the effectiveness of each FPD office.

Representative duties include:

• Review CJA payment vouchers and funding requests for compliance with national and circuit CJA guidelines and policies, corresponding with district court or federal defender personnel as needed concerning any issues.
• Perform data entry functions and maintain databases and spreadsheets for analyzing CJA operations and for record-keeping. Generate standard reports from databases and eVoucher.
• Respond to inquiries from CJA administrative staff from throughout the Ninth Circuit on voucher review issues and processes.
• Assist with administration of the Ninth Circuit's eVoucher program.
• Stay current on CJA-related guidelines and policies.
• Maintain FPD Standing Committee electronic files and prepare reports, form letters, notices, and other correspondence using templates and forms.
• Assist as needed with administrative tasks in support of CJA Unit and FPD Standing Committee projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• A minimum of two years of experience working as a paralegal, legal assistant, or CJA voucher reviewer.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and federal court criminal law procedures and practices.
• Proficiency with MS Office products, including Word and Excel.
• Exceptional organization, time management, logic skills, and proven ability to prioritize multiple demands, meet established deadlines, and fulfill commitments.
• Ability to understand and apply established rules and procedures.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work effectively both independently and in teams.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to use tact and diplomacy.
• Positive attitude, professional demeanor, and commitment to excellent customer service.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain strict confidentiality.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience with eVoucher.
• Knowledge of SharePoint or Microsoft Teams.

REWARDS & PERKS

Salary: $51,602 – $92,403 (CL 25/26), 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; 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 complete applications with a cover letter and resume will be considered.

NEXT STEPS

• Priority given to applications received by March 30, 2020.
• Tentative interview dates: April 6-10, 2020. [Video conference interviews available]
• 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