Job Announcement - Chief Deputy Clerk Tuesday, October 11, 2022
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT No. 22-07
Position: Chief Deputy Clerk
Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
Closing Date: October 31, 2022
Starting Salary Range: $131,178 - $153,846 (JSP 15 - JSP 16)
Estimated Starting Date: January 1, 2023
The Clerk’s Office of the United States District Court is a career-oriented organization focused on providing exceptional service to the court, members of the legal community, and the general public. Currently, we are seeking applicants for a full-time Chief Deputy Clerk.
The Chief Deputy Clerk (Type II) is a senior level, professional, managerial position responsible for the day-to-day administration, supervision, and overall management of various areas of the Clerk’s Office. The Chief Deputy reports directly to the Clerk of Court, and in the absence of the Clerk, assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Clerk. The Chief Deputy has regular interactions with the judges, high-level officials of other agencies, members of the bar, and the public. The position
requires an individual with the experience and leadership skills necessary to anticipate and resolve administrative and operational challenges with confidence and efficiency.
The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota is headquartered in Bismarck and has a divisional office located in Fargo. The Clerk’s Office is comprised of 25 employees who support two active Article III judges, one senior Article III judge, two full-time magistrate judges, and one recalled magistrate judge.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
• Assist in providing leadership, management, and supervision for the operations of the Clerk’s Office. Assist in overseeing the business of the court, including the processing of cases, statistical reporting, case management, and serving as the custodian of official court records.
• Assist with the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and modification of organization policy and court rules. Participate and collaborate in the establishment and development of court-wide policies. Assist with developing and executing strategic and long-range plans of the Clerk’s Office and the court. Interpret and apply the appropriate statutes, rules, and operating procedures, including the Guide to Judiciary Policies and Procedures and local internal policies and controls.
• Analyze the overall flow of cases within the court to ensure effective case management. Assist with managing the jury operations of the court and make recommendations to improve juror utilization.
• Interact with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Federal Judicial Center, other federal courts, court units, the bar, government agencies, judges, and the public to resolve complex issues of practice and procedures.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and practices to secure staff and physical assets of the court unit, which may include oversight of property management, training, emergency preparedness and disaster recovery activities, space and facilities needs, security, media, and public relations; and acquiring additional resources as needed.
• In conjunction with the Clerk and Management Team, establish and adjust long-range goals, schedule, priorities, and deadlines for completion of work assignments, and coordinate work schedules among subordinates.
• Participate in and coordinate Management Team activities and occasionally chair meetings.
• Assist the IT Systems Manager to determine present and future automation needs, anticipating trends in emerging technologies, and assist in developing long and short-term plans synthesizing court needs with available technology and maximizing efficiency through improvements to existing automated systems.
• Assist with development of the budget and financial plan and serve as a certifying officer for dispersal of funds including payments of appropriate funds under the direction of the Clerk.
• Prepare comprehensive memoranda, reports, and correspondence; draft administrative orders, proposed procedures, and local rules; complete complex projects and perform other duties as assigned by the Clerk.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required, preferably a degree which included courses in law, government, public administration, business administration, judicial administration or related fields. A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible administrative and management experience is required.
The successful candidate must be able to balance the demands of varying workload responsibilities and deadlines. The successful candidate should be a leader and motivator, who is able to clearly describe their leadership style, vision, and values. The successful candidate must also be highly organized, an excellent communicator, a good steward of resources, possess good judgment, and be able to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Travel is required to divisional offices, legal
and public meetings held offsite, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and other locations as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference will be given to applicants with a Juris Doctorate; a Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, judicial administration, or a related field; or substantial experience in a federal or state court. An attorney who is in the active practice of law in either the public or private sector may substitute the active practice on a year-for-year basis for the administrative and management requirement.
Preference will also be given to applicants who possess the following skills:
• excellent computer skills, including a working knowledge of information technology sufficient to oversee the management of the organization’s automation needs;
• exhibit excellent organizational, leadership, and management skills;
• ability to effectively interact with Judges, the legal community, and other service providing agencies;
• substantial knowledge of and experience in the operations and management of court services; knowledge of the processing of civil and criminal cases; knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure; and knowledge of the Guide to Judiciary Policy and Procedures;
• ability to learn and adapt to change while leading a team, to get results under challenging conditions, and inspire others to perform at a high level; and
• ability to analyze problems from a fresh point of view and communicate ideas and thoughts to others.
SALARY AND BENEFITS: The actual pay level will be established on the basis of the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience. The position does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service. Other federal government benefits (e.g., annual leave, sick leave, parental leave, holidays, life and health insurance, and retirement benefits) are applicable. The position is subject to mandatory Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit) of net pay. The
successful applicant must submit to a criminal background check and an unsatisfactory outcome may result in termination of employment.
MISCELLANEOUS: The United States District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has adopted an Employment Dispute Resolution Plan. Additional EEO information is available from the Office of the Clerk of Court.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit the following to NDD_Jobs@ndd.uscourts.gov. All documents should be in .pdf format.
1. cover letter specifying how you satisfy the qualifications listed above, which includes a narrative of your management philosophy and personal leadership style;
2. resume;
3. three (3) professional references; and
4. AO-78 Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment:
http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/human-resources-forms/application-judicial-branch-federalemployment
All applications will be maintained in strict confidence with only the hiring authority having knowledge of the applicant’s identity.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA
Office of the Clerk
220 E. Rosser Ave., Suite 476
Bismarck, ND 58501
Court website: www.ndd.uscourts.gov