US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Position:  Legal Analyst / Case Initiation Specialist (Docketing Clerk)

Salary Range:  CL 24 ($44,458-$72,308) through CL 26: ($54,101-$87,909), based upon qualifications.

Position Overview: The Legal Analyst/Case Initiation Specialist receives and processes new cases on appeal and maintains case records in the court’s electronic case filing system (CM/ECF) while exercising independent decision-making within the boundaries of delegated authority and exercising sound judgment. The Legal Analyst/Case Initiation Specialist manages complex case processes relating to case initiation, case management, quality control, process improvement, policies, and procedures. The employee works within a team and reports to the Case Initiation Supervisor.

This position is located at the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Thomas F. Eagleton Federal Courthouse, St. Louis, Missouri. After an initial training period employees may be eligible to work one day per week from home.

Position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed, and candidates will be interviewed as they are received.

Representative Duties and Responsibilities:

·       Receive documents pertaining to a variety of case types, such as civil, criminal, bankruptcy, tax and administrative.

·       Identify emergency motions and documents that require special handling and refer them to appropriate personnel with minimum delay.

·       Conduct initial jurisdictional review and determine if documents received are timely and otherwise meet the requirements of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Rules of the court.

·       Contact district court personnel, attorneys, and others when case opening requirements are not met.

·       Identify cases for consolidation or cross-appeal.

·       Ensure all automated entries are appropriately linked for proper case management.

·       Prepare case opening documents and transmit to appropriate parties.

·       Enter appropriate information into the CM/ECF system.

·       Daily contact with district court personnel, attorneys, court staff, judges, litigants, and the public.

·       Serve as courtroom deputy and assist with the orderly flow and recording of courtroom proceedings.

·       Perform pre-argument procedures by communicating with, advising, and assisting counsel with the procedures necessary for an orderly hearing, and ensuring the timing and recording equipment is in working order.

·       Communicate with the presiding judge regarding any exceptional issues in the argument schedule.

·       All duties require a high degree of accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.

Educational Requirements and Court Preferred Skills:

·       Candidates must possess 2 or more years of progressively responsible clerical, office, or other experience that indicates the possession of, or the ability to quickly acquire, the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position.

·       High school diploma or equivalent is required, with bachelor’s degree preferred.

·       Ability to interpret and follow complex legal documents, ability to use a sophisticated database system, and select correct schedules.

·       Ability to interpret and follow the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Eighth Circuit’s policies, rules, and procedures.

·       Skill in using the CM/ECF system to enter and extract case information.

·       General knowledge of appropriate legal terminology, ability to accurately draft basic correspondence, and routine use of keyboarding skills.

·       Prior legal and/or Federal judicial experience is strongly preferred.

·       Adherence to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements.

·       Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.

·       Strong customer service skills are required, including the ability to interact effectively and appropriately with others, providing customer service while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures. 

·       Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) to individuals to provide information without offering legal advice. 

Total Rewards and Work/Life Balance

·       Benefits: Employer subsidized health and life insurance plans. Dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, and long-term care plans are available. Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PLSF) and parking or mass transit subsidy. 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.

·       Amenities: The Eagleton Courthouse includes an on-site fitness center, full-service cafeteria, 24-hour security, and a complimentary health clinic staffed with a nurse and MD. 

·       Work/Life: Time off - 13 vacation days, 13 sick leave days, and 11 paid holidays. Vacation days increase to 20 days after three years and to 26 days after fifteen years. Teleworking is permitted one day per week after an initial training period. Prior federal service is included in time off calculations.

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 FBI fingerprint check.

·       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 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 an individual’s date of hire.

How to Apply: Submit a completed application for judicial branch employment, form AO-78 (https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/human-resources-forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment ), a detailed resume, and cover letter to our applicant tracking system at https://ca852383.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0pjjp . 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 values diversity in the workplace.