U.S. District Court - Clerk of Court

OPEN DATE: NOVEMBER 29, 2022

CLOSE DATE: DECEMBER 22, 2022

COURT INFORMATION: The United States District Court for the District of Utah serves the entire State of Utah. The court has four active district judges (and one vacancy), seven senior district judges, and five full-time magistrate judges. One senior district judge, one vacant active district judge position, and one magistrate judge are located in St. George and serve the court’s Southern Region. The remaining judges preside in Salt Lake City, serving the court’s Northern and Central Regions. Court staff include approximately 100 employees in the Clerk’s Office and chambers.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The court is seeking a senior level executive to serve as the District’s Clerk of Court. The court is looking for someone who can lead toward the vision of administering justice with respect, efficiency, and excellence. The Clerk of Court must exemplify the court values of professionalism, collaboration, civility, trust, and stewardship. (Please see page 5 for more detail on our vision and values.) A proven record of leadership and accomplishment are essential, preferably in a court or law-related environment. Change leadership capability, exceptional communication, and strong interpersonal skills are also essential, given the need to integrate a diverse set of requirements and build support across stakeholder groups. In addition, the position requires the management skills and technical expertise necessary to anticipate and resolve complex administrative, operational, budgetary, and information technology challenges quickly and efficiently. Short and long-range planning skills are important. The Clerk of Court for the District of Utah works closely and in collaboration with the Chief Judge, the Clerk of the United States Bankruptcy Court, and the Chief United States Probation Officer.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Clerk of Court is appointed by the judges on the court. The Clerk has overall management authority and responsibility for the non-judicial components of the court. The Clerk of Court occupies the highest non-judicial position in the court and works closely with the Chief Judge in assuring the administrative and operational needs of the court are effectively and efficiently met. Among other things, the Clerk of Court appoints, manages, and supervises the Clerk’s Office staff of approximately 52 employees in Salt Lake City and St. George. That staff performs a wide range of operational and administrative duties. These include intake and docketing, records management, courtroom services (including courtroom deputies, jury and grand jury functions, court reporting and interpreting services), human resources, information technology, space and facilities managements, budget, and general management. The Clerk of Court serves as the court’s liaison to and works cooperatively with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah, United States Probation, the Federal Defender’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, the General Services Administration, numerous other federal and local government agencies, the Utah Bar Association and lawyers admitted to practice before the court, representatives of the press and media, and the general public. Nationally, the Clerk of Court coordinates with other districts, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and representatives of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, including the Circuit Court Executive and the Tenth Circuit Clerk of Court. The Clerk of Court oversees the execution of statutory duties of the Office of the Clerk pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 751. Some travel is required to fulfill these obligations.

The Clerk of Court supports eleven Article III judges (four active and seven senior) and five Article I magistrate judges. The Clerk of Court consults with and makes recommendations to the judges on matters including court policy, rules and procedure, juror utilization, and oversight of the attorney admission fund.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: • Working closely with the Chief Judge to lead cultural improvement initiatives • Partnering with the Chief Judge in court administration and policy • Creating and fostering a vision of respect, efficiency, and excellence through strategic planning within resource constraints • Providing the administrative and operational infrastructure necessary to efficiently and effectively achieve the court’s service-oriented mission, including through hiring, assigning, training, and disciplining of personnel • Creating and maintaining a culture that values human resources and the contributions necessary to maintaining an exceptional services-based organization • Developing and implementing employee training programs • Managing and directing staff responsible for processing civil and criminal cases • Promoting, maintaining, and preserving the integrity of official court records in the custody of the court • Directing and overseeing the court’s property, procurement, and financial management programs, and ensuring proper oversight in the development, revision, and maintenance of internal control procedures and external audit requirements, consistent with United States Treasury Regulations and applicable Appropriation Law • Preparing and managing the court’s annual budget, including budgetary and staffing projections • Managing the court’s jury operations, including qualifying and summonsing grand and petit jurors, and making recommendations to improve juror utilization • Facilitating the court’s use of technology and automation • Analyzing and making recommendations on statutes, local rules, and procedures affecting the court’s operations • Directing the development and administration of comprehensive emergency preparedness plans • Coordinating, preparing, and submitting statistical studies and reports as required by the court, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and the Judicial Conference of the United States • Serving as the court’s public information officer and primary point of contact for members of the public and the communities served by the court • Staffing various committees and working groups in support of the judges and court initiatives • Performing other assigned duties.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS: Education: A graduate or law degree is required. While a juris doctor is preferred, a graduate degree with an emphasis in government, judicial, public or business administration or a related field is also acceptable. Experience: Candidates who have not earned a juris doctor must possess a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible administrative experience (e.g., financial management, space and facilities management, human resources management, oversight of technology, long and shortrange planning), which provides a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural, and human aspects of managing an organization and leading change in an organization. At least three of the ten years’ experience must have been in a position of substantial management responsibility. Candidates who possess a juris doctor must have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative experience (e.g., financial management, space and facilities management, human resources management, oversight of technology, long and short-range planning), which provides a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural, and human aspects of managing an organization and leading change in an organization. At least three of the five years’ experience must have been in a position of substantial management responsibility. Experience in the federal judiciary is preferred, with operational knowledge of the courts, office automation, including automated case management systems, and a working knowledge of the Federal Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure, as well as the court’s Local Rules. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required, as are solid time management, organizational, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills. The successful candidate must be an ethical leader and motivator, who is able to clearly describe his or her leadership style, vision and values, has experience in promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement, and maintains a professional demeanor at all times. The successful candidate must be able to simultaneously manage and prioritize numerous tasks at one time, including through efficient delegation and supervision of staff. Critically, the Clerk of Court must possess and exercise extraordinary discretion and care handling confidential and other sensitive information.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: The salary range JSP CUE 16/1 – 17/1, $153,848 - $176,690 *Starting salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and based upon Judicial Salary Plan (JSP) guidelines. Advanced in step placement up to JSP 17/10, $204,861 may be available for current or prior federal employees. The position falls within the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government and the benefits include: health, dental, vision, life, long-term care, paid vacation and sick leave, tax deferred savings plan and FERS retirement system. This position is subject to mandatory direct deposit participation.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Qualified applicants should submit the following four documents: 1. A cover letter addressing how the applicant satisfies the qualifications for this position. 2. A comprehensive resume of education and employment, including dates of employment, functions managed, and the number and composition of personnel supervised. 3. A completed Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment for (Form AO 78) available at www.utd.uscourts.gov listed under the Forms/Employment tabs. 4. A concise narrative describing the applicant’s management style, strategy for developing effective working relationships, and approach to implementing change and resolving personnel conflicts. 5. A list of three professional references.

Please email application packages in PDF format to UTD_HumanResources@utd.uscourts.gov Application packages must be received by noon December 22, 2022. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be screened for qualifications and only the most qualified applicants will be contacted and selected for a personal interview. Applications selected for interviews must travel at their own expense, and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Applicants who are invited to interview may advise the Human Resources Office if an accommodation is necessary.

Or mail or hand deliver by noon December 22, 2022 to: United States District Court Human Resource Office Attn: Clerk of Court Vacancy 351 South West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84101