Clarification from the agency

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The duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Maintains control records of the cases assigned to the magistrate judge as they are filed. Examines all papers filed in an action to the magistrate judge to determine that they conform with the rules of practice.
• Calendars and regulates the movement of cases by fixing (or by resetting when necessary) dates and times for hearings on various types of motions, pre-trial hearings, bond hearings, pre-settlement conferences, and trials, notifying counsel and other parties concerned, and monitoring the civil cases assigned until conclusion.
• Confers with attorneys, acting as liaison between the magistrate judge and counsel. Acts as a source of information to attorneys on the special procedures of the magistrate judge or court, answers procedures questions, and assists with compliance.
• Promotes the efficient use of the court's time by actively encouraging the counsel involved to bring their case to maturity for trial or final disposition.
• Prepares special reports for the magistrate judge and clerk's office on the status of cases assigned. Maintains frequent contact with attorneys regarding the status of cases in order to have a basis for such reports.
• Processes the appointment of attorneys when such services are authorized for defendants in criminal cases.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of calendars.
• Calls the court calendar.
• Conducts arraignments of defendants in criminal cases.
• Notes the appearance of counsel in matters before the court.
• Impanels the jury and administers oaths to jurors. Provides liaison with the jury clerk for ordering and cancellation of juries. Keeps required records on other jury matters.
• Swears witnesses and interpreters. Swears attorneys on admission and administers oaths of allegiance to applicants for citizenship. Prepares verdict forms, judgments, and orders.
• Advises the financial section of the clerk's office of matters affecting that section particularly, such as the imposition of fines and orders of restitution by the magistrate judge in criminal cases or central violations bureau fines.
• Enters judgments and other actions of the court in dockets and other records.
• Prepares statistical records of matters coming before the magistrate judge.
• Serves as additional support to other areas of the Operations Division as needed and assigned.

Conditions of employment

United States citizenship is required for consideration for this position.

Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

Employees of the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia are excepted service appointments. Excepted service appointments are "At-Will" and can be terminated with or without cause by the court.

Employees are required to use the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

Final candidates will undergo a background check.

Selection will be made consistent with the provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunity Plan adopted by the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia.

Qualifications

Required Specialized Experience: The candidate must also possess a minimum of two years of specialized experience. Specialized experience includes progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation.

Preferred Education and Experience: Legal and/or court experience is highly preferred.

The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing is critical.

Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to effectively communicate with staff to determine needs and maintain complete and accurate records and files.

Excellent organizational skills, the ability to respond to requests on short notice and the ability to manage multiple tasks and stringent deadlines are essential.

Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and other applications.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

See the Qualifications and Conditions of Employment sections.