This is an exciting opportunity to work in one of the nation's most distinguished Appellate Courts as a Special Counsel for the Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. The incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Chief Judge and is responsible for coordinating and handling a wide range of matters of importance on behalf of the Chief Judge.
The starting grade for this position depends on the expertise of the selected candidate.
Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to work in one of the nation's most distinguished Appellate Courts as a Special Counsel for the Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. The incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Chief Judge and is responsible for coordinating and handling a wide range of matters of importance on behalf of the Chief Judge.
The starting grade for this position depends on the expertise of the selected candidate.
United States Citizens or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residency or authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to work in the United States.
This position is located in the Chambers of the Chief Judge of the D.C. Court of Appeals (DCCA). The Special Counsel serves as an official Court of Appeals representative, liaison to judges, court officials and staff of the DC Courts and other jurisdictions, justice system agencies, city and federal government officials, and with other District of Columbia constituencies. The Special Counsel serves as a legal and policy advisor on various legal issues.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Serves as principal aide to the Chief Judge and supports the Chief Judge in dealing with legal, administrative, policy, legislative and public affairs issues; directly handles matters of importance on behalf of the Chief Judge.
Serves as the principal advisor to the Chief Judge regarding public affairs, current events and all matters pertaining to the accomplishment of the Court’s documented mission and vision.
Provides policy analysis and strategic consultation to the Chief Judge and management on major issues affecting the Court of Appeals.
Performs legal research and prepares memoranda on legal issues.
Contributes to the preparation of reports, briefings, presentations, and responses to various legal issues.
Provides the Chief Judge with regular briefings related to judicial and non-judicial matters that may impact the operational readiness of the Court.
Conducts comprehensive inquiries into any matters of interest or concern to the Chief Judge.
Works collaboratively with staff within the chambers of the Chief Judge.
Background and security investigation are required.
This position is an Excepted Service appointment.
1. Resume
2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
3. Submission of a writing sample (no longer than four pages)
4. Documentation /Proof of Education (copy of law degree or college transcript from an accredited law school)
5. List of three professional references
6. Current D.C. Bar membership in good standing, or eligibility to waive into the D.C. Bar is required
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Law degree from an accredited university or college and a minimum of six years of experience practicing as an Attorney. Active D.C. Bar membership in current good standing, or eligibility to waive into the D.C. Bar is required. If not a member of the D.C. Bar, waive into the D.C. Bar within six months after an offer of employment is a condition of employment.
Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of the D.C. Courts, prior judicial clerkship, and litigation and law firm experience.
The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts’ values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.
Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts is required. If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.
Education
To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
Additional information
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.
All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This is not a federal position.
The District of Columbia Courts is an independent agency of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.
Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:
Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6) hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight (8) hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.
Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four (4) hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.
In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as a commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume.
Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and that you meet the minimum qualifications or your application will not be considered.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This is not a federal position.
The District of Columbia Courts is an independent agency of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.
Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:
Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6) hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight (8) hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.
Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four (4) hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.
In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as a commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
District of Columbia Courts
Historic Court House
430 E Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
United States
Next steps
Once your completed application is received, the qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
District of Columbia Courts
Historic Court House
430 E Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
United States
Next steps
Once your completed application is received, the qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
