US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Salary: CL-24 ($45,382 - $73,757) through CL-26 ($55,205 - $89,702). Many employees are hired at the lower end of the scale.

Posting Date: February 13, 2025.

Closing Date: Open until filled. Candidates will be reviewed, and interviews will be scheduled as applications are received.

Job Summary:

The Legal Assistant / Case Manager manages the progression of civil and criminal cases and related proceedings from opening to final disposition at the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. The Legal Assistant / Case Manager is fully proficient in administration and maintenance of the official case records, monitors the completion of the required procedural steps and performs the necessary noticing and administrative and clerical tasks. They prepare case documents for appeal, review filed documents to determine conformity, take appropriate action, and ensure that orders and automated entries are appropriately and accurately docketed. Errors may have the ultimate consequence of affecting the outcome of a legal matter, so attention to detail and ability to perform error-free work is essential.

This position works within the Clerk’s office of the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in St. Louis, Missouri. The position reports to a unit supervisor and works within a team.

Work is performed in an office setting. The ability to lift boxes and files is required. Typical work hours are 8:00am – 4:30pm or 8:30am – 5:00pm with work outside of normal business hours occasionally needed.

After an initial training period, employees may be eligible for telework up to one day per week.

Representative Duties:

• Federal appellate case management after case initiation through post-termination filings.

o   Review and evaluate docket entries for processing.

o   Exercise independent and sound decision-making within the boundaries of delegated authority.

o   Refer matters to the Clerk of Court and Chief Deputy Clerk after evaluating the procedural posture.

o   Summarize the history of the case.

o   Refer matters to three-judge panels.

o   Review case filings to ensure the accuracy of the case management database and overall integrity of the electronic case files.

o   Enter legal orders at the discretion of the Clerk of Court or judges.

• Responsible for progression of the case.

o   Monitor compliance with the briefing schedule.

o   Manage the court’s orders and applicable plans governing different types of cases.

o   Review incoming documents, especially briefs, for conformity with federal and local rules and work with filers to correct any deficiencies.

• Serve as a courtroom deputy on a rotating basis.

o   Communicate with counsel scheduled for argument.

o   Attend and log court proceedings, records proceedings, and upload proceedings to the court’s website.

o   Perform follow-up case management duties with cases submitted and argued.

• Provide customer service by phone, email, and in-person to chambers’ staff, filers, and the public.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent is required with bachelor's degree preferred.
• Prior legal or judicial experience is strongly preferred.
• Court Operations:

o   Knowledge of, or the ability to acquire the knowledge of local court rules, practices, procedures, and forms.

o   Knowledge of Federal Rules of Civil, Criminal, and Appellate procedure. Knowledge of the purpose and content of each document or event to make docket entries and take the appropriate action(s).

o   Knowledge of basic documents (pleadings, correspondence, transcripts, etc.). Knowledge of how cases proceed through the federal court system.

o   Skill in determining the appropriate course of action for disposition of cases.

• Oral and Written Communication Skills:

o   Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with individuals and groups to provide information and to advise filers of errors.

o   Ability to interact professionally, effectively, and appropriately with a wide variety of people, including coworkers, attorneys, the public, and federal judges.

o   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 and the Eighth Circuit’s rules and procedure manuals.

o   General knowledge of appropriate legal terminology. Skill in spelling, grammar, and proofreading. Ability to answer procedural questions without providing legal advice.

• Skill in the Use of Technology:

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

o   Skill in using a sophisticated database system.

o   Skill in using standard office equipment.

o   Knowledge of commonly used office software and the ability to learn new technology skills when required.

• Knowledge of and compliance with The Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.

Total Rewards and Work/Life Balance

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

• Benefits:

o   Vacation time accrues at the rate of 13 days per year for the first 3 years, increasing to 20 days after 3 years and 26 days after 15 years.

o   Sick time accrues at a rate of 13 days per year.

o   11 paid holidays per year.

o   Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health plans and optional employer-subsidized Federal Employees Group Life Insurance.

o   Vision and Dental insurance programs are available.

o   Flexible Spending Programs – pre-tax contributions for out-of-pocket health, dependent care, and transportation expenses.

o   Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

o   Public transportation or parking subsidy (dependent on fiscal year funding).

o   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 health insurance plans into retirement while paying the same premiums as employees.

o   Creditable service with other federal agencies and/or the military will be used to compute employee benefits.

• Amenities:

o   Onsite fitness center.

o   Onsite cafeteria.

o   Onsite, free health clinic staffed with a nurse and M.D.

o   24-hour building security.

•  Work/Life:

o   Generous time off – paid Annual leave (vacation), Sick leave, and holidays.

o   Telework is allowed after the initial training period.

o   Nationwide leave sharing program.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States currently seeking citizenship or intending to become a citizen immediately following meeting eligibility.
• Selected applicants are hired provisionally pending the results of fingerprinting and a background check.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Positions with the US Courts are “excepted service” positions and employees serve “at will”.
• Employees are subject to The Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
• 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 hire.

How to Apply:

Submit a completed application for judicial branch employment, a detailed resume, and a cover letter at https://ca852383.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0p7p6. 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 the hiring process, and the Eighth Circuit values diversity in the workplace.