Clerk of Court - VA #2022-05
ANNOUNCEMENT NO.: 2022-05
Clerk of Court
Full-time/Regular
$176,690 - $187,300 (JS-17)
Starting salary commensurate with qualifications/experience.
The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia is seeking a dedicated and experienced administrator to fill the position of Clerk of Court. This is a high-level managerial position which functions under the direction of the Chief Judge. The Clerk of Court is responsible for managing the administrative activities and operational functions of the Clerk's Office and overseeing the performance of the statutory duties of the office.
The Clerk's Office for the Western District of Virginia currently consists of 42 employees who support 8 judicial officers and their staff located in seven divisions throughout the district (Abingdon, Big Stone Gap, Charlottesville, Danville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg and Roanoke). The position is located in the Roanoke divisional office. Occasional travel, including overnight, within and outside the district is required.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
Responsibilities include overall management of human resources, budget, finance and procurement, space and facilities, case processing, records maintenance, jury operations, statistical analysis and reporting, and information systems. The Clerk also has direct fiduciary responsibilities involving all monies or other collateral received and disbursed by the court. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
• Consulting with and making recommendations to the judges regarding court policies and procedures.
• Leading and directing staff responsible for the processing of civil and criminal cases, the issuance of process, and the maintenance of official records in the custody of the court.
• Managing the jury operations of the court and making recommendations as required to improve juror utilization.
• Directing the court's financial services functions, including the authorization of expenditures and accounting functions and preparing and managing the annual budget.
• Working with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the Office of the Circuit Executive, other court units and unit executives, members of the bar, and the public to resolve complex issues of practice and procedure and to improve the delivery of court services.
• Working with various governmental agencies on a variety of issues necessary to conduct court business such as data processing, space and facilities, finances, and personnel.
• Directing the court's human resources functions, including hiring and assigning personnel as well as designing and managing training programs.
• Conducting special studies as directed and preparing statistical and narrative reports.
• Leading and managing staff responsible for automation and information technology services, statistical analysis and reporting requirements, inventory control, finance and accounting, and human resources management.
QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (preferably in the field related to public, business or judicial administration) as well as a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible administrative experience in public service or business that provides a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural and human aspects in managing an organization is required. At least 3 of the 10
years of experience must have been in a position of substantial management responsibility. An attorney who is in the active practice of law in either the public or private sector may substitute said active practice on a year-for-year basis for the administrative or management experience requirement.
The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; excellent judgment and proven problem-solving abilities, which include demonstrated ability to gather and analyze relevant data; strong leadership skills and the ability to effectively coach, develop, direct, and manage a skilled, serviceoriented team; and experience in promoting a culture of organizational excellence, high performance and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will lead with vision; articulate management priorities; foster solid and effective working relationships, working collaboratively with a variety of staff at all levels of the organization and collateral agencies; and maintain a professional demeanor and appearance at all times.
Substantial management experience is high-level administrative experience that provides a thorough understanding of the organizational, procedural, and human aspects of managing an organization. Such experience typically includes financial management, space and facilities management, oversight of the information technology and human resources functions, and long and short-range planning. Possible titles indicative of this experience outside the judiciary would include president or vice president in charge of several departments or offices, director or assistant director in charge of several departments or offices, head manager or owner-operator of a medium to large company. Possible titles within the judiciary would include any of the court unit executive or type II second-in-command titles and assistant type II second-in-command.
A postgraduate degree in public, business, or judicial administration from such a college or university may be substituted for 1 additional year of the required administrative experience.
A degree from an accredited law school may be considered as qualifying for 2 additional years of the required administrative experience.
BENEFITS
As part of a generous total compensation package, the federal judiciary offers a diverse group of benefit programs, including health, dental, and vision coverage, participation in flexible reimbursement accounts, and retirement benefits. For more information, visit the Benefits page on the United States Courts' website.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Must be a United States citizen or meet the Citizenship Requirements for Employment in the Judiciary.
Judiciary employees serve under excepted service appointments and are considered "at-will" employees.
This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer (direct deposit) for payment of salary. The
Court requires employees to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
The selected candidate must successfully complete a ten-year background investigation and subsequent favorable suitability determination and will be subject to a re-investigation every five years thereafter. Any offer will be considered provisional and retention in the position will depend upon a favorable suitability determination by the court.