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Posted: January 14, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Chief Deputy, Operations

U.S. Courts

Judicial Branch

Fresh

Location

Salary

$184,950 - $209,600

per year

Closes

March 14, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading the daily operations of a federal court clerk's office in San Francisco, including managing case processing, staff supervision, and improving court efficiency while reporting to the Clerk of Court.

A good fit would be an experienced administrator with a background in public service or law, who is organized, collaborative, and skilled at solving operational challenges.

The role requires strong leadership to work with judges, court staff, and external agencies to ensure smooth court functions.

Key Requirements

  • Minimum six years of progressively responsible administrative experience, with at least three years in managerial roles in public service or business
  • Graduate degree in judicial, public or business administration, political science, criminal justice, law, management, or a related field from an accredited university
  • Working knowledge of legal and court terminology
  • Strong leadership, motivation, and organizational skills with the ability to collaborate across court units
  • Expert knowledge of electronic filing and case management systems, including training, reporting, and operational recommendations
  • Strong analytical and project management skills for developing policies, procedures, and innovative solutions
  • Preferred: Juris Doctor (JD) degree, prior judiciary experience in court operations or administration, bar membership, and extensive federal judiciary management experience

Full Job Description

The Chief Deputy is a professional leadership position responsible for the day-to-day administration and supervision of operations and various administrative functions of the Clerk of Court's office.

The Chief Deputy reports directly to the Clerk of Court and assists the Clerk with supervision, planning, developing, and implementing office policies, procedures, programs, and managing Court operations.

Required Qualifications: Minimum of six years of progressively responsible, successful and substantive administrative experience (3 of which must be managerial) in public service or business.

Graduate degree in judicial, public or business administration, political science, criminal justice, law, management or related field from an accredited university.

Working knowledge of legal and court terminology. Preferred Qualifications: (JD) juris doctor degree from an accredited college or university are preferred.

Prior judiciary experience with strong emphasis in court operations and/or court administration. Member of the bar of a state, territorial or federal court of general jurisdiction.

Extensive management experience in the federal judiciary. The successful candidate should be a leader, motivator and highly organized. The ability to collaborate across court units is critical.

Ability to provide innovative solutions to workplace problems and employee relations issues.

Expert knowledge of electronic filing and case management systems, including the ability to conduct training, define reports and make recommendations regarding the operational needs of the court.

Strong analytical and project management skills. Major Duties:

The Chief Deputy's primary focus is on managing operations related to case flow, including docketing, calendaring, and case materials.

The incumbent works closely with judges, court personnel, other courts and governmental agencies to improve the case flow process and overall operations of the court.

Representative Duties: 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.

Manages the docketing, calendaring, and case materials functions of the Clerk's Office and the staff members who perform those functions; implements the policies and procedures established by the Clerk of Court.

Consulting with the Clerk of Court and judges on court policies and procedures, making recommendations as needed. Oversee the flow of paper and electronic documents within the Clerk's Office.

Regularly analyzes the efficiency of this process, identifies opportunities for improvement, and implements changes in consultation with the Clerk of Court.

Works with the Clerk of Court to establish processes to ensure filers' compliance with court rules.

Works closely with the business owner for the Appellate Case Management System (ACMS) and partners with the Information Technology unit to further customize and develop the application to support the needs of the court.

Partners with the Information Technology unit as needed to define and generate statistical reports capturing key workload metrics and monitoring the progression of cases through the court.

Serving as a liaison to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the Federal Judicial Center, chambers, other court units, the Office of the U.S. Trustee, the U.S.

Marshals Service, and various bar associations. Serves as staff to the Advisory Committee on Rules and Internal Operating Procedures. Oversee the process of amending court rules.

Serves as Staff to the Appellate Lawyers Representatives' Committee. Oversees Civics and Continuing Education Programs sponsored by the Court.

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 of Court.

Serves as the custodian of official court records and assumes the duties of the Clerk of Court in their absence. Performing other duties as assigned.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/14/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/15/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: DE-12863914-26-LLO