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Trial Clerk

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Apr 17, 2021
Duties

Summary

The incumbent serves as a confidential assistant to a Judge of the Tax Court at the trial sessions and performs a variety of confidential assignments of an official nature.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to exercise initiative and resourcefulness in representing the presiding judge with other judges, Federal and State officials, Tax Court practitioners, litigants, and the general public. These tasks are often highly sensitive and require the skills of a person who has the full trust and confidence of a judge. The nature of the work requires a prompt, reasoned, and diplomatic response to various demands made on the incumbent, and a confidential working relationship with the presiding judge, including a thorough understanding of judges' work habits and policies with regard to staff and courtroom work.

Trial clerks are responsible for providing judicial support related to trials and hearings, which includes:
  • Arranging appointments and scheduling for the presiding judge.
  • Coordinating with the stenographic reporter who records and transcribes Court proceedings.
  • Responding to procedural questions from litigants, practitioners, and the public.
  • Administering oaths to witnesses.
  • Receiving and marking pleadings, motions, exhibits, stipulations and other documents presented during Court proceedings.
  • Reviewing and preparing case filings in accordance with the U.S. Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure.
  • Working closely with the Court's Docket Section to process exhibits, minutes, transcripts, orders, decisions and other official case documents.
The Court expects to conduct both in-person and remote trials and hearings. Trial clerks are assigned to both in-person and remote proceedings. For in-person proceedings, there is extensive travel required throughout the United States. For remote proceedings, the trial clerk is responsible for creating and managing the Zoom.gov platform and ensuring the proceeding is live-streamed, while also performing other duties.

This position requires extensive travel when court sessions are not conducted remotely.

Travel Required

76% or greater - You will be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
9 - GS-9.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


  • Applicants must be United States Citizens or Nationals.
  • The appointment of any United States Tax Court employee is subject to a FBI fingerprint check and background investigation, including income and credit card checks (employment will be contingent upon the satisfactory completion of these requirements).
  • All Court employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for United States Tax Court Employees. Employees of the United States Tax Court are considered "at-will" employees, and, as such, may be terminated with or without cause.
  • All applicant information is subject to verification.
  • The Federal Financial Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages for Court employees.


Qualifications

Applicant must meet all qualifications and time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing of this announcement.

To qualify for the full performance level (GS-7), applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent at the next lowest grade level, which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position.

Work at the higher grades: This position provides a progressive career ladder with full- performance level to the GS-9. In order to progress through the career ladder, an employee must work at least 52 weeks at the next lower grade, must be performing their current position at a fully-successful level, and must show evidence of performing duties at the next higher grade level. Promotion consideration is subject to the supervisor's discretion.

Education

To qualify for the position of Trial Clerk, applicants MUST submit proof that they have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND that they meet at least one of the following criteria based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.

1. To qualify based on class standing, applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
2. To qualify based on grade-point average, applicants must have a grade-point average of:
  • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
  • 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum.
3. Applicants may also qualify based on membership in a national scholastic honor society, which meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies.

Additional information

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Special Rating Factors (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required by the Position):
Applicants are required to address each Special Rating Factor providing detailed evidence of the listed factors in the form of clear, concise examples of accomplishment and degree of responsibility. Please use specific examples to illustrate how your qualifications and accomplishments are relevant.

A. ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with individuals or groups representing widely different backgrounds, interests and points of view;
B. strong attention to detail;
C. ability to exercise discretion, mature judgment and independence; and
D. ability to be a self-starter, resourceful, technologically adept and comfortable traveling alone.

Qualified candidates must be willing to commit to a minimum two year tour of duty.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for the full performance level (GS-7), applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent at the next lowest grade level, which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

THIS IS AN AT-WILL POSITION

Ratings will be based on an evaluation of applicant's experience as related to the duties of this position and the Special Rating Factors listed above. The resume/application package must provide detailed information showing the extent to which the Special Rating Factors are satisfied.

If you fail to provide the information as required, your application will not be evaluated beyond the basic screening process. The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, the Court will then evaluate your application package to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your accomplishments, experience, and education as they relate to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

The documents must be in PDF format and attached to your email where you identify your name and the position to which you are applying.
  • Cover letter stating the position for which you are applying;
  • Resume highlighting relevant knowledge and experience;
  • A supplemental written statement, not to exceed two pages, which provides a brief description of your Special Rating Factors;
  • College transcripts; and
  • Most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, if applicable.


  • 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.

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