The Clerk's Office of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Courtroom Deputy (CRD) for District Judge Sarala V. Nagala. Courtroom deputies perform specialized duties as listed below. The position entails a high level of knowledge and complexity regarding court operations and courtroom proceedings. The incumbent will report directly to the Hartford Division Manager.
Summary
The Clerk's Office of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Courtroom Deputy (CRD) for District Judge Sarala V. Nagala. Courtroom deputies perform specialized duties as listed below. The position entails a high level of knowledge and complexity regarding court operations and courtroom proceedings. The incumbent will report directly to the Hartford Division Manager.
Attends court sessions and conferences. Assists with the orderly flow of proceedings including, but not limited to, setting up the courtroom and assuring the presence of all necessary participants. Manages and organizes exhibits used in court proceedings, including setting up and troubleshooting electronic evidence presentation systems. Operates recording equipment to record court proceedings.
Takes notes of proceedings and rulings and prepares minute entries electronically. Responsible for docketing minutes of all court proceedings and documents filed in court on the civil and criminal docket in ECF. Dockets orders, pleadings and judgments.
Reviews cases or reports for necessary actions. Drafts orders and notices as required for the judge's approval.
Manages judge's cases by calendaring and monitoring deadlines and monitoring the filing of pertinent documents and the timely responses to judicial orders.
Prepares judgment and statement of reasons in criminal cases, dockets judgments and distributes documents as directed.
Coordinates hearings, including the use of Zoom, Teams, or other remote access technology. Serves as primary source of information on scheduling conferences, hearings, trials, and other case proceedings.
Schedules court reporters and answers questions from parties and the public regarding obtaining transcripts.
Schedules interpreters in person and remotely. Manages the Telephone Interpreting Program (TIP) including setting up and troubleshooting the system and training counsel in the use of the equipment.
Trains counsel in the use of electronic courtroom technology as needed.
Keeps the judge and immediate staff informed of case progress. Acts as liaison between the clerk's office, the bar, the public, and the judge to ensure that cases proceed smoothly and efficiently.
Informs jury clerk of upcoming trials and need for jurors. Assists the judge and parties in jury selection and maintains records of jury selection and attendance. Maintains contact with counsel during deliberations.
Arranges for the appointment of attorneys when such services are requested for defendants in criminal cases or ordered in civil cases.
Assists in the accurate statistical reporting requirements of the Administrative Office. Reviews the quality of electronically filed documents, ensuring that all orders and automated entries are appropriately and accurately docketed, and makes corrective entries as needed.
May perform case administration duties and/or provide training assistance to employees performing case administration duties and administrative tasks.
Must be able to attend court proceedings that may start before, or go past, the incumbent's normal work hours.
Successful applicants will be asked to show proof that they can legally work in the United States.
Successful candidate will undergo a full fingerprint and background records check. Any applicant selected for a position will be hired provisionally pending successful completion of the background investigation.
Mandatory electronic direct deposit of salary payment.
Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees [available to applicants to view at the court website: www.ctd.uscourts.gov.
Qualifications
To be eligible for the appointment at a CL 26, a candidate must possess at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to work at the CL 25 level. To qualify for appointment at a CL 27, a candidate must possess at least 2 years of specialized experience with one year of work experience equivalent to work at a CL 26 level.
Specialized experience includes progressively responsible experience that is closely related to the work of this position that has provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.
Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational skills, and analytical skills. Individuals must also possess the ability to exercise mature judgment and skill in dealing with others in person-to-person work relationships.
Knowledge of federal and local rules, legal terminology, and legal documents. Knowledge of courtroom proceedings and applicable requirements (including time requirements), statistical reporting requirements, and how cases proceed through the court system. Must possess the ability to understand and follow detailed instructions, take accurate notes, and summarize court proceedings. Must also possess the ability to multi-task under strict deadlines.
Skill in the use of computer applications/programs, including word processing, court computer programs, automated case management systems, scanning and uploading pdf documents, e-mail, and web browsers.
Additional information
Employees of the U.S. District Court are Excepted Service Appointments. Excepted service appointments are at will and can be terminated with or without cause by the court.
The court will not reimburse external candidates for interview travel or relocation expenses.
The United States District Court is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity and inclusion.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Paid annual leave in the amount of 13 days per year for the first three years, 20 days per year after three years, and 26 days per year after fifteen years
Paid sick leave in the amount of 13 days per year
Retirement Benefits
Optional participation in choice of Federal Employees' Health Benefits
Optional participation in choice of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance
Optional participation in the Flexible Benefits Program
Optional participation in the Commuter Benefit Program
Optional participation in Long-Term Care Insurance
Credit, time in-service, for prior government service for employees of other federal agencies, as well as time for those with prior military service, will be taken into consideration when computing leave accrual and retirement benefits.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to the specialized experience, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.
Paid annual leave in the amount of 13 days per year for the first three years, 20 days per year after three years, and 26 days per year after fifteen years
Paid sick leave in the amount of 13 days per year
Retirement Benefits
Optional participation in choice of Federal Employees' Health Benefits
Optional participation in choice of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance
Optional participation in the Flexible Benefits Program
Optional participation in the Commuter Benefit Program
Optional participation in Long-Term Care Insurance
Credit, time in-service, for prior government service for employees of other federal agencies, as well as time for those with prior military service, will be taken into consideration when computing leave accrual and retirement benefits.
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.
Applicants must also submit a narrative statement addressing the following:
In addition to covering court matters, CRDs have a great deal of responsibility regarding case management, scheduling, preparing draft orders, docketing text entries, preparing and running monthly reports, and serving as the chambers' liaison for the Clerk's Office, the bar, and the public. All of this requires excellent organizational skills, written and verbal communication skills, ability to multitask, prioritize work and do whatever it takes to get the job done. Explain why you feel you are the person that fits the bill based on this criterion.
Open until filled with preference given to those applications received by February 14, 2026.
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.
Applicants must also submit a narrative statement addressing the following:
In addition to covering court matters, CRDs have a great deal of responsibility regarding case management, scheduling, preparing draft orders, docketing text entries, preparing and running monthly reports, and serving as the chambers' liaison for the Clerk's Office, the bar, and the public. All of this requires excellent organizational skills, written and verbal communication skills, ability to multitask, prioritize work and do whatever it takes to get the job done. Explain why you feel you are the person that fits the bill based on this criterion.
Open until filled with preference given to those applications received by February 14, 2026.
