What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal/Judicial Assistant to the Honorable Consuelo M. Callahan, U.S. Circuit Judge position at U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit?
$81,960- $106,543 (JS 11)
Sacramento, CA
Position Overview
The Paralegal/Judicial Assistant is a permanent staff member in the Judge’s Chambers. The successful candidate will be professional, organized, tech savvy, and flexible, and must be committed to preserving the respectful culture of the court and the chambers. The office includes a staff of one career clerk and three annually appointed law clerks, and the position is responsible for ensuring that operations run smoothly in the Judge’s absence. This position is a solid combination of both an executive assistant and a paralegal. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who works well under limited supervision, and will have the experience, aptitude, and willingness to perform both roles. This is a full-time, in-office position.
Representative Duties
The Paralegal/JA will provide a variety of support services for Judge Callahan and her law clerks including receiving and assisting visitors; answering and screening phone calls; preparing correspondence and reports; making travel arrangements; preparing expense reports; helping the Judge manage her professional assignments and court-related events; coordinating the Judge’s travel schedule; and maintaining office functionality, from ordering supplies to coordinating with the Clerk’s office, IT staff, and other court departments.
The Paralegal/JA also assists Judge Callahan and her law clerks in preparing for oral arguments, which includes performing case checks for potential conflicts of interest and managing electronic and paper case materials; acquiring and returning court records; maintaining the chambers calendar and monitoring critical deadlines; maintaining various databases; maintaining and updating charts tracking the status of various matters within the chambers; filing, collecting and submitting information for various required annual disclosures; drafting simple orders; proofreading and cite checking record and legal citations in orders and dispositions.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree and a paralegal certificate from an accredited college or university.
• At least 3 years of paralegal experience.
• A strong legal and administrative background with a commitment to the highest ethical standards, including respecting the confidentiality of the court’s internal decision-making.
• High proficiency in English grammar, spelling, and writing.
• Proficiency with The Bluebook and other legal style guides.
• Excellent administrative, organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, Outlook, legal research tools, and database maintenance. Experience with Apple products, SharePoint and coordinating Zoom or Teams meetings is a plus.
• Proficiency in making travel arrangements and submitting expense reports.
• Ability to work collegially in a small office environment.
• Integrity, character, good judgment, tact, and discretion.
Total Rewards and Work-Life Balance
Salary: Depending on qualifications and experience, $81,960- $106,543 (JSP Grade 11).
Time off: 13 days of paid vacation for the first three years, increasing with tenure thereafter, 13 sick days accrued per year, 11 paid holidays
Benefits:
• Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (like a 401K).
• Expansive selection of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans. Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.
• Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.
Other Perks: Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; public transit subsidy; and reasonable working hours.
How to Apply and Required Documents
Please submit a PDF application through the Court’s Career Portal that includes:
1. A cover letter highlighting specific qualifications or skills that are a good fit for the position as described.
2. A resume.
3. Two letters of recommendation or two professional references
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Next Steps
• Priority given to applications received by April 1st, 2025. Interviews will be held mid-to-late April.
• The position is open until it is filled.
Conditions of Employment
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the Court. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay required.
The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including, but not limited to, budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.
Equity Focused Employer
We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The 9th Circuit encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.
Salary : $81,960 - $106,543
