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Administrative Assistant

Judicial Branch
U.S. Courts
Office of the Federal Public Defender, Eastern District of Virginia

Summary

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of Virginia is accepting applications for an Administrative Assistant position in our Norfolk office. Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, the office provides legal representation to indigent defendants in federal criminal cases and related matters.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/27/2026 to 03/27/2026
Salary
$62,640 to - $118,092 per year
Pay scale & grade
JS 9 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Norfolk, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Confidential
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-04
Control number
859275500

Duties

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An Administrative Assistant supports the Branch Manager and local Supervisory Attorney in performing administrative duties while also providing case management support to attorneys and staff. The position's duties include but are not limited to: greeting and directing visitors and clients, answering and routing calls to the office, overseeing incoming and outgoing mail, opening and closing physical and digital case files, assisting in financial and case file management, and managing office calendars for trials and dockets.

This position will also assist the Administrative Officer in district-wide property management, which includes regular review of district property reporting, and advising on current projects and their applicability to property regulation. This position will serve as a backup for the Branch Manager and will cross train in a number of the duties required to perform that role on a limited basis.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The final candidate will undergo an FBI background check and employment is conditional upon its completion.

Qualifications

The successful applicant will have a working knowledge of law office operations and is proficient in organizing and prioritizing their own work; typing, data entry, email, and report generation; using standard office equipment (telephones, copiers, fax machines, scanners, calculators, etc.); can follow detailed instructions and multitask; and can demonstrate experience in operating a multi-line telephone efficiently. The position requires proficiency in a wide range of programs, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and other office automation products.

The ideal candidate will effectively communicate with colleagues, outside agencies, court personnel, and the public, to include our clients and client families; has a demonstrated work history of dependability, initiative, and responsibility; has high ethical standards; is a team player; and has an interest in indigent criminal defense and compassion for our work and clients. A successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to consistently exercise sound judgment, act with diplomacy, and maintain confidentiality. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The physical demands of the position are those required to successfully perform the duties described above. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The Administrative Assistant will spend most of their time in an office environment consistent with our telework policy. The individual must occasionally lift and/or move 25-50 pounds. Travel may be necessary and a valid driver's license is preferred.

Education

At a minimum, candidates must possess a high school diploma.

Additional information

  • The position is "at-will" employment in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of the competitive civil service.
  • This position is subject to the availability of funds.
  • All responses will remain confidential.
  • More than one position may be filled from this announcement.
The Federal Public Defender is an Equal-Opportunity Employer.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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 fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.

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