Operations Clerk at USAO Western District of Texas

Position Overview

Responsibilities

• Provides frontline customer support by answering telephone inquiries and providing procedural information to internal users, attorneys, and the public.
• Receives and reviews incoming documents for conformity with appropriate rules, practices, and court requirements.
• Files and routes documents to proper office or person after acceptance.
• Verifies lawyers’ eligibility to practice before the court.
• Furnishes information to a wide variety of people within and outside of the court.
• Maintains the integrity of case files by monitoring proper access to records.
• Notifies appropriate chambers staff and Clerk's office staff of emergency filings.
• Makes summary entries of documents and proceedings on the electronic filing system docket including pleadings, petitions, motions, complaints, minutes, appeals, and orders.
• Conducts thorough quality control of automated entries, ensuring appropriate scanning and for proper linking of documents.
• Prepares and transmits to appropriate parties such items as: notices, judgments, and orders.
• Answers phone and in-person inquiries from judges, chambers staff, members of the bar, and the public.
• Conducts thorough quality control of lawyer- opened civil and criminal cases including complaints, indictments, and petitions.
• Opens cases upon receipt of initiating documents, such as complaints, indictments, or petitions and closes cases upon receipt of terminating documents, such as judgments and closing orders.
• Create and process new case files and inform customers of required fees.
• Prepare, ship, and retrieve records from the appropriate Federal Records Center.
• Scan, copy, file, pick up, sort, and process incoming mail.
• Process email received from electronic filers.
• Maintain the mail meter and meter log. Stamps outgoing mail with appropriate postage required.
• Receive and stamp incoming documents and assist with the maintenance of court files.
• Receive payments, and issue receipts. Immediately secure funds in cash register drawer. Balance and reconcile cash drawer at the end of the day.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of progressively responsible legal administrative work experience, preferably in a civil and/or criminal environment.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and organizational skills.
• Must be able to process a high volume of paperwork, the ability to multi-task, and prioritize and manage own workload.
• Proficient data entry skills.

Application Procedure

• All applicants must be a U.S. citizen or must be a lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) and seeking U.S. citizenship.
• Applicants scheduled to interview should advise the Human Resources staff if any accommodation is needed.
• Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
• Employees of the U.S. Courts serve under "Excepted Appointments" and are considered "at-will" employees (except for probation officers who may be removed for cause).
• Employees will be hired provisionally pending the results of a background investigation.
• All employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees (available for review upon request).
• Only the most qualified candidates will be invited for a personal interview.
• Other conditions not listed above may be applicable.

The federal Judiciary provides a generous benefit package, which includes:

• Retirement Benefits:
  • Federal Employes Retirement System (FERS) Basic Benefit Plan
  • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) – 401k styled program with up to a 5% government match
  • Social Security
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid federal government holidays
• Optional Benefits:
  • Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance options
  • Flexible Benefits Program offering medical care, dependent care, and parking reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible work schedules and telework, depending on location and position
  • On-site gym, depending on location