Job Details for Paralegal or Judicial Assistant to a Federal Judge
| Court Name/Organization: | Third Circuit Court of Appeals |
| Overview of the Position: | The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit seeks a Paralegal or Judicial Assistant to provide administrative and legal support to an Article III Federal Judge in Erie, PA. The Paralegal/JA assists the Judge in the daily activities of the office, performing administrative management and related paralegal duties as assigned by the judge. The successful candidate will have several traits: a pleasant and positive attitude, excellent organizational skills, the ability to act as the institutional memory of a small office, and the initiative to ensure smooth-running operations when the Judge is out of the office. |
| Location: | Erie, PA |
| Opening and Closing Dates: | 11/26/2024 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type: | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade: | JS 10 - JS 11 |
| Salary: | $66,036 - $94,317 |
| Announcement Number: | JC-24/01 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
- Perform paralegal duties as assigned by the Judge. Review legal documents for completeness and accuracy. Perform cite checking and proof-reading. Conduct legal research.
- Compose and prepare correspondence (sometimes from dictation), reports, procedural orders, and documents that may require substantial research or analysis. Type draft and final form opinions and bench memoranda.
- Perform case management duties, including filing orders, notices, and opinions in the court’s electronic filing system (CM/ECF). Create and update templates for documents such as orders and motions. Monitor caseload, log motions and other actions, and update case list. Monitor deadlines, prioritize tasks, and determine need for action by the judge.
- Screen cases for potential conflict. Maintain recusal list.
- Manage Judge’s calendar, ensuring that the Judge is aware of and prepared for all commitments and appointments
- Make travel arrangements and prepare travel vouchers and expense reports
- Manage overall office operations and provide general administrative day-to-day support of the chambers, including copying, proofreading, filing, ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, and coordinating facility and technical assistance as needed
- Perform a wide variety of special projects assigned by the judge
- Receive and assist visitors, answer phones, and screen calls
- Serve as a liaison to all other court support units on behalf of the Judge
Qualification
A successful candidate must have a strong legal, administrative, or paralegal background with knowledge of legal terminology and how to conduct legal research and analysis; strong skill in writing and editing legal documents with accuracy, speed, and attention to detail using correct grammar, spelling, style, proper legal terminology and citations; excellent organization, communication, and administrative skills; strong motivation and initiative and ownership of assignments through completion; careful attention to detail; ability to work independently, manage time effectively, meet tight deadlines and set priorities under limited guidance and direction; ability to work collegially in a small working environment and to interact effectively and tactfully with a wide variety of people; ability to multi-task and adapt quickly and easily to changing priorities; technological sophistication is required to adapt to the current practices of chambers and the court. The ability to maintain confidentiality and to exercise good judgement is essential.
Paralegal
Required Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or a paralegal certificate from an accredited paralegal program.
Required Experience:
- JS-10: 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
- JS-11: A minimum of 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 a juris doctor (JD) from a law school of recognized standing
Judicial Assistant
Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.
Required Experience:
- JS-10: A minimum of six years of specialized experience and two years of specialized or general experience is required
- JS-11: A minimum of six years of specialized experience and two years of specialized or general experience is required
General experience is progressively responsible general clerical or secretarial experience that provided a good knowledge of office clerical practices such as filing, telephone usage, and typing. Education in a college, university or secretarial school of recognized standing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the general experience on the basis of 30 semester (45 quarter) hours equals 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.
Court Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of federal and local court administrative rules and protocols; skill in case management, and experience with CM/ECF.
Specialized Experience
Specialized experience is progressively responsible secretarial experience that involved responsibility as the principal office assistant to a supervisor who was dealing with law-related matters (such as might be found in a court or a law, insurance or real estate office.) Education in a legal or paralegal curriculum may be substituted for a maximum of two years of specialized experience on the basis of one full academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) equals one year of experience. Less than one full year of study will be credited on a pro-rata basis.
Benefits
Federal benefits include paid vacation based on years of service and/or experience, paid holidays, sick leave, health and life insurance plans, Federal Employees Retirement System, long-term care insurance, and the Thrift Savings Plan (similar to 401K plan).
Miscellaneous
Must be a U.S. citizen or must meet the requirements established by current appropriations law. Positions with the U.S. Courts are excepted service appointments. Excepted service appointments are “at will” and can be terminated with or without cause by the Court. The appointment is provisional and contingent upon the satisfactory completion of an FBI fingerprint background check. Direct deposit of pay required. The U.S. Court of Appeals reserves the right to modify or withdraw this vacancy announcement, or to fill the position without prior written or other notice.
How To Apply
Submit cover letter, résumé, writing sample, law school transcript, and references via email to [email protected]. The Court will only communicate with those qualified individuals who will be invited to interview.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.