Summary
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Western Division, is accepting applications for a judicial assistant (chambers paralegal or secretary to a federal judge). The holder of the position will perform administrative and legal duties (using legal terminology, procedures, and documents) and assist the judge in the daily activities of the office (performing administrative management, legal, and other related duties).
Responsibilities
A judicial assistant performs the following duties and responsibilities: perform administrative duties, including using computer applications to prepare documents and correspondence, preparing hearing notebooks, printing, scanning, copying, taking meeting minutes, etc.; arrange and manage the judge's schedule, continuously updating and coordinating with the judge, chambers staff, legal parties, attorneys, the clerk's office, court unit executives, and other judicial officers; maintain information storage and filing systems (electronic and paper) for case notes, filings, correspondence, publications, data, forms, and other documents; identify unique matters and undertake special handling requirements; receive, screen, and refer questions in person and via telephone; respond to basic questions related to the status and scheduling of cases; review legal documents assigned by the judge for completeness and accuracy; conduct legal research using source material or the internet; compose correspondence, procedural orders, and other documents that may require substantial research or analysis; proof documents for spelling, grammar, punctuation, uniformity of style and format, and proper citation and review for conformity with court rules and procedures (including functions relating to the court's Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system); screen cases for potential conflicts and maintain a recusal list; track and monitor calendars, filings, hearings, etc.; maintain and update law libraries within the established budget; maintain financial disclosure information; file orders, notices, and opinions in the court's electronic filing system; create and update templates and standard documents for orders, motions, and other related documents. make travel arrangements and prepare vouchers for travel advances and payments for chambers staff; arrange meetings and conference agendas; maintain office supplies and inventory of property assigned to chambers; place calls for repair of office equipment; assist with automated systems and software for chambers staff; monitor deadlines, prioritize tasks, and determine need for action by the judge; monitor caseload and organize information related to cases; compile and arrange information and data and prepare required periodic reports regarding court and non-court activities; and other related duties as assigned by the judge.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Included below is a list of competencies related to the position: knowledge of federal and local court administrative rules and protocols; knowledge of legal terminology; knowledge of security and safety issues affecting chambers; knowledge of automated case management systems; skill in interpreting court orders; skill in managing, scheduling, and interpreting court calendars; skill in planning and scheduling events; skill in organizing work products; skill in case management; ability to accurately carry out complex instructions; skill in coordinating the assignments of others; ability to manage time effectively and meet tight deadlines; ability to work independently and set priorities under limited guidance and direction; ability to prepare correspondence and documents under limited or general direction; knowledge of and compliance with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees (available at https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/guide-vol02a-ch03-2.pdf) requirements; knowledge of financial disclosure rules; knowledge of rules of disqualification; ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment; skill in the use of automated equipment and software including spreadsheet and database applications, as well as automated case management systems, legal research tools, and various other applications that support the court; knowledge of laws, rules, and procedures applicable to the court; knowledge of how to conduct legal research and analysis; ability to conduct research utilizing all available resources (legal and non-legal) and to analyze complex concepts and complicated facts; knowledge of subject matter content as needed (such as bankruptcy expertise); skill in writing and editing legal documents with considerable accuracy, speed, and attention to detail; skill in grammar, style, and use of the English language, including the use of proper legal citations; ability to interact effectively and to maintain cooperative relationships with judges, chambers staff, and other court personnel, in order to support the work of a judge; ability to communicate effectively with attorneys and parties, as needed in order to provide or obtain information; ability to convene meetings or make oral presentations to groups of judges, attorneys, or parties as needed; and ability to synthesize the results of research, and to summarize and communicate those results (orally and in writing) in a clear and concise manner. Chambers Paralegal: For JSP-7/1 ($50,969) (the minimum position grade level), the requirements are (1) completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or (2) a paralegal certificate from an accredited paralegal program. For JSP-8/1 ($56,445), in addition to meeting the qualifications for JSP-7, the incumbent must have six months of progressively responsible experience that is in or closely related to the work of the position that has provided the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For JSP-9/1 ($62,344), in addition to meeting the qualifications for JSP-7, the incumbent must have one year of progressively responsible experience that is in or closely related to the work of the position that has provided the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For JSP-10/1 ($68,655), in addition to meeting the qualifications for JSP-7, the incumbent must have two years of progressively responsible experience that is in or closely related to the work of the position that has provided the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. or JSP-11/1 ($75,431), in addition to meeting the qualifications for JSP-7, the incumbent must have (1) three years of progressively responsible experience that is in or closely related to the work of the position that has provided the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position or (2) a juris doctor (JD) from a law school of recognized standing. Secretary to a Federal Judge: For appointment as a secretary to a federal judge, the minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or an equivalent and the following experience: JSP Grade/Step Years of General Experience Years of Specialized Experience Total Years of Experience 4/1 ($36,776) 1 0 1 5/1 ($41,146) 2 0 2 6/1 ($45,866) 2 1 3 7/1 ($50,969) 2 2 4 8/1 ($56,445) 2 3 5 9/1 ($62,344) 2 4 6 10/1 ($68,655) 2 5 7 11/1 ($75,431) 2 6 8 General experience is defined as progressively responsible general clerical or administrative experience that provided a good knowledge of office clerical practices such as filing, telephone usage, and typing. Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience that involved responsibility as the principal office assistant to a supervisor who was dealing with law-related matters (such as what might be found in a law, insurance, or real estate office). Education in a college, university, or secretarial school of recognized standing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of general experience based on 30 semester (45 quarter) hours equaling nine months of experience. A bachelor's degree from a college or university of recognized standing may be substituted for two years of general experience. Preferably, such degree should have included courses in law, government, public or business administration, or related fields. Education in a legal or paralegal curriculum may be substituted for a maximum of two years of specialized experience based on one full academic year (30 semester, or 45 quarter, hours) equaling one year of experience. Less than one full year of study will be credited on a pro-rata basis.
Requirements
An applicant must either be a United States citizen; a person who owes allegiance to the United States (i.e., nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. § 1408); a person admitted as a refugee or granted asylum who has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible (see 8 U.S.C. § 1157 and § 1158 for additional information); or a lawful permanent resident who is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B). Employment by the court is subject to the receipt of a satisfactory background check of the applicant. An applicant may be hired provisionally, pending successful completion of the necessary background check and subsequent favorable suitability determination as a condition of employment.
Education
High school graduation equivalency may be met by either a Graduate Education Development (GED), or other recognized equivalency certificate, or a like number of years of clerical experience (for example, one year of clerical experience equals one year of high school).
Benefits
Permanent, full-time appointments are eligible for federal employment benefits, including paid federal holidays, paid leave, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, flexible spending benefits, and retirement benefits.