Administrative Legal Specialist

Salary Range: CL 24 through CL 25 ($42,291 – $75,919), based on qualifications. Promotion potential to CL 26 ($51,439 – $83,596) without further competition. Many employees start in the lower half of the salary range.
 

Overview: 

The Administrative Legal Specialist performs case processing of Judicial Complaints, serves as a financial clerk performing duties related to deposits and reconciliation in JIFMS, prepares statistical reports, processes corporate disclosure statements, and enters judicial conflicts. The Administrative Legal Specialist is cross trained in the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) payment program (eVoucher) and provides back-up support to the CJA Analyst as needed.

Position is open until filled.

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

Perform case processing of Judicial Complaints. Review complaint for compliance, notify proper parties, and enter data in case processing system. 

Maintain statistical reporting of judicial complaints. Correspond with Chief Judge and Judicial Council judges.

On rotating basis with other financial clerks, perform daily reconciliation of cash drawers. Prepare bank deposits, reconcile bank deposits, reconcile pay.gov, make bank deposits, and prepare monthly reports.

Ensure adherence to financial and accounting practices as outlined in the Guide to Judiciary Policy and comply with procedures and policies established by the Clerk’s Office.

Perform monthly and annual statistical reports for the Eighth Circuit Clerk’s office.

Provide Circuit Executive with calendar year statistical report for the Circuit’s Annual Report and submit monthly JS-30 to the Administrative Office.

Process Corporate Disclosure Statements.

Maintain and distribute judicial recusal lists.

Participate in special projects related to administrative support functions.

Provide customer service over the phone, by email, and in person to judges, chambers’ staff, attorneys, and filers.

Prepare documents, correspondence, and reports. 

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements: 

• High school diploma or equivalent is required, with bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Prior legal or judicial experience preferred.
• Oral and written communication skills:

Ability to read and comprehend the meaning of complex and lengthy legal documents.

Ability to learn, interpret, and follow the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, the Judiciary’s Rules for Judicial-Complaint and Judicial-Disability Proceedings, and the Eighth Circuit's rules and procedure manuals.

General knowledge of appropriate legal terminology.

Ability to draft grammatically correct and error-free legal correspondence.

• Skill in the use of computer technology:

Experience in using (or the ability to acquire the knowledge in using) the CM/ECF system to enter and extract case information.

Experience in using (or the ability to acquire the knowledge in using) the eVoucher system to process CJA payments.

Routine use of keyboarding skills

Skill in using a sophisticated database system.

Total Rewards and Work/Life Balance

The Eighth Circuit offers a congenial work environment with a team of dedicated professionals. 

Benefits

• Vacation time accrues at a rate of 13 days per year for the first 3 years, increasing to 20 days after 3 years and 26 days after 15 years.
• Sick time accrues at a rate of 13 days per year.
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Choice of a variety of employer subsidized federal health plans and group life insurance.
• Vision, Dental, Disability, and Long-Term Care insurance programs are available.
• Flexible Spending Programs - pre-tax contributions for out-of-pocket health, dependent care, and out-of-transportation expenses.
• Optional participation in Long Term Care Insurance and Federal Employee Group Life Insurance.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Public transportation or parking subsidy (dependent on fiscal year funding).
• Federal retirement includes an employer sponsored pension plan (FERS) and a retirement contribution plan with employer match (TSP). Retirees are eligible for Social Security and carry insurance plans into retirement while paying the same premiums as employees.
• Creditable service with other federal agencies and/or the military will be used to compute employee benefits.

Amenities

• Onsite fitness center.
• Onsite, full-service cafeteria.
• Onsite health clinic staffed with a nurse and MD (free).
• 24-hour building security.

Work/Life

• Generous time off – paid Annual Leave (vacation), Sick Leave, and holidays.
• Some telework is allowed after initial training period.
• The Eighth Circuit understands the value of time away from work. Employees work 8am-4:30pm or 8:30am-5pm, Monday-Friday, rarely working additional hours.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States currently seeking citizenship or intending to become a citizen immediately following meeting the eligibility.
• Selected applicants are hired provisionally pending the results of a background investigation and fingerprinting.
• Direct deposit of pay required.
• Positions with the U.S. Courts are “excepted service” positions and employees serve “at will".
• Employees are subject to The Judicial Code of Conduct.
• No relocation expenses are permitted.
• All applicant information is subject to verification. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process, as well as disciplinary action if discovered after an individual’s date of hire.

How to Apply: Submit a completed application for judicial branch employment, form AO-78 (http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/FormsAndFees/Forms/AO078.pdf ), a detailed resume, and a cover letter into our applicant tracking system at this link: https://ca852383.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0vmzj All three documents are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The United States Courts are EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS committed to equity and inclusion in hiring practices, and the Eighth Circuit values diversity in the workplace.

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