$45,331 to $58,925 (JS-5)*
$50,532 to $65,689 (JS-6)*
$56,153 to $73,003 (JS-7)*
$62,187 to $80,848 (JS-8)*
Seattle, WA
This is an excellent position for a recent graduate interested in the law who wants to gain experience in a court setting. You will be the personal assistant to a federal circuit judge with very limited mobility. Most importantly, this position requires patience and a pleasant demeanor. You will also need excellent typing and spelling skills, and the ability to listen well and follow directions. The majority of your time will be spent sitting with the judge and turning pages as he reads, adjusting his microphone, reading and typing emails for him, and revising documents. 100% reliability is a must.
Representative Duties
- Retrieve research materials, turn pages for the Judge as he reads, assist in highlighting and editing.
- Type the Judge's emails; prepare executive correspondence, legal documents and other materials, including the Judge's case preparation memos and a summary of cases for calendar preparation.
- Assist with organizing briefs and other papers for the Judge.
- Help to ensure internal chambers' documents are kept up to date.
- Copy, research, and print articles designated by the Judge for his case notebooks or reading.
- Assist the Judge during hearings and conferences, including video and telephone participation.
- Forward emails in the Judge's inbox to the chambers' secretary and staff throughout the day.
- Assist the Judge with papers and materials during conferences.
- Print and prepare documents for the Judge.
- Take detailed electronic notes during Judges' conferences; help prepare conference memoranda.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 2 years of general clerical experience (see classification levels below).
- Skill in the use of word processing and document editing systems, including knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office software and Adobe Acrobat.
- Proficiency with email and Windows-based applications.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to follow specific directions.
- Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing priorities in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment
- Ability to interact effectively and appropriately with others.
- Ability to work collegially in a small team environment.
- Flexibility in work hours (for example: 9AM-5:00PM—fluctuation or 10:00AM-6PM).
- Ability to type at least 70-80 wpm accurately.
*Required qualifications subject to change
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with courses in the legal field strongly preferred.
Grade JS 5: 2 years of general experience.*
Grade JS 6: 2 years of general experience plus 1 year of specialized experience.*
Grade JS 7: 2 years of general experience plus 2 years of specialized experience.*
Grade JS 8: 2 years of general experience plus 3 years of specialized experience.*
*A college degree may be substituted for general work experience; Specialized work experience is defined as progressively responsible secretarial experience that provided exposure to law-related matters.
Total Rewards and Work-Life Balance
Salary*: Depending on qualifications and experience, $45,331 to $80,848 (JS-5 to JS-8)
Time off: 13 days of paid vacation for the first three years, increasing with tenure thereafter,
13 sick days accrued per year, 11 paid holidays.
Benefits:
• Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).
• Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans. Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.
• Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.
Other Perks: Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; public transit subsidy; alternate work schedules; and reasonable work hours.
How to Apply
Please submit a single PDF application packet through the Career Portal that includes:
1) cover letter detailing your qualifications and experience performing the representative duties, and
2) current resume
Next Steps
Priority deadline: Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025
If selected for an interview, tentative interview dates are week of May 5th, 2025
Position open until filled.
Conditions of Employment
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the Court. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay required.
The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including, but not limited to, budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.
Equity Focused Employer
We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The 9th Circuit encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.