Duties

The Clerk's Office of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is seeking candidates for a full-time Generalist Clerk (Intake). Through innovative and results-oriented practices, the Clerk's Office delivers quality service to the court, judges, and our public stakeholders in its dual mission to facilitate the progression of cases before the court and to maintain the court's records. The Clerk's Office team seeks candidates who value open communication, team accountability and transparency, public stewardship and service, and commitment to quality and to excellence in the administration of justice. The Clerk's Office has been recognized nationally for the quality and innovation of its operations and is currently validated at the ASQ/ANSI G1:2021 Silver Level.

The Generalist Clerk (Intake) provides a wide range of clerical, administrative, and operational duties supporting case management and court services. This position supports both the case management and court services teams and reports to the Court Services Manager.

Responsibilities of the Generalist Clerk (Intake) include, but are not limited to:

Court Services Functions (50%)

• Public Reception: Perform reception duties by greeting visitors/clients in person. Answer and route incoming calls and assist the public in the use of computerized databases. Provide information to the public, bar, and the court. Provide information and electronic case filing instruction to external customers. Conduct case research as required. Provide document services including document certification, copying, and binding. Process emails received from electronic filers.
• Records Management: Compile briefs and court records according to the court calendar and prepare and deliver briefs to the appropriate chambers. Perform tracking, inventory, shelving, and re-shelving of case documents and records.
• Court Hearing Support: Perform support functions for court sessions, such as setting up the courtroom and providing support, as needed, to the judges before and after court sessions, including coordinating with chambers staff, ensuring judges have necessary court documents, and distributing hearing materials.
• Financial Management: Collect appropriate filing fees and receive monies paid to the court. Secure funds in locked cash drawer, balance cash drawer at the end of each day, and process credit card payments for filed documents.

Case Management Functions (50%)

• Case Management: Receive, review, and process incoming documents to determine conformity with appropriate rules, practices, and/or court requirements. Prepare case-related documents such as forms, letters, notices, and other correspondence using the appropriate templates. Perform docketing and quality control functions in the court's electronic case management system. Route documents to proper offices and/or staff after acceptance as needed. File and retrieve case records as needed. Maintain, scan, update, and track paper and electronic files.
• 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 good customer and quality service and resolving difficulties efficiently while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures. Support court sessions, as needed. Comply with the Guide to Judiciary Policy, applicable Administrative Office policies and procedures, internal controls guidelines, and all local policies and procedures. Abide by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Demonstrate sound ethics and good judgment at all times. Display a careful and deliberate approach in handling confidential information in a variety of contexts.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted and must travel at their own expense. Reimbursement for relocation is not available. 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.

Employees of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit are excepted service appointments. Federal government civil service classifications or regulations do not apply. All offers of employment are provisional pending successful completion of a background check or investigation and a favorable employment suitability determination. This position is subject to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

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. Section 1324b(a)(3)(B). Under 8 U.S.C. Section 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• CL-23 ($42,484 - $69,035): High school diploma (or equivalent) and two years of clerical, administrative or other office work that provided the knowledge and skills need to perform the duties of this position -or- completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with superior academic achievement*.
• CL-24 ($47,046 - $76,459): Possession of an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and one year of specialized experience** equivalent to the CL-23 -or- possession of a high school diploma (or equivalent) and two years of specialized experience** equivalent to the CL-23.

*Superior academic achievement is defined as:

• An overall "B" grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0;
• Standing in the upper third of the class;
• "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.

Education

Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

Additional information

A generous benefits package is available to full-time permanent court employees including:

• 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; Long-Term Care Insurance; Health Care Reimbursement (HCRA) and Dependent Care Reimbursement (HCRA).
• 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 terms of the ( PSLF ) program.
• For more benefit information visit the Judiciary's Benefits Page .

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted and must travel at their own expense. Reimbursement for relocation is not available.

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.