Docket Clerk​/Relief Courtroom Deputy Clerk

Court Name/Organization California Northern District Court

Overview of the Position Whether launching or continuing a career in public service, the U.S. District Court is a great place to work with competitive salaries and benefits, a work schedule that promotes a work‑life balance, and the opportunity to work with colleagues committed to fulfilling the important mission of administering justice in an efficient and effective manner. This position offers an excellent opportunity to advance a career in Federal court service.

Priority consideration to applicants who apply by Feb. 23, 2026.

• Assists Customers at the Intake Desk. Receives documents pertaining to a variety of civil and criminal cases and reviews them for compliance with rules and procedures.
• Open and close cases.
• Makes summary entries on the docket concerning all documents and proceedings.
• Enters defaults, or default judgments according to court rules.
• Furnishes information about case status to the public and the bar.
• Processes Notices of Appeal.
• Prepares and distributes calendars, minute orders, judgments and commitments, bond conditions and issues arrest warrants.
• Swears in witnesses, marks and receives exhibits, impanels jurors.
• Confers with attorneys, acts as a source of information and answers procedural questions while assisting with compliance, and acts as a liaison between the judges and counsel.
• Manages the orderly flow of court proceedings by ensuring the presence of court reporters, jury panels, in‑custody defendants and other participants whenever necessary.
• Completes monthly reports.

Performs other duties as required.

The successful applicant must have one-year specialized experience, including at least one year at or equivalent to CL 25. For placement at salary levels above minimum up to and including step 25, (considering court‑preferred skills and an evaluation of quality of experience), the successful applicant must have at least two years specialized experience equivalent to work at CL 25.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of people with a positive, upbeat manner.
• Ability to do detail‑oriented work with limited supervision.
• Experience which reflects the ability to work under pressure and deal with change.
• Demonstrable ability to successfully manage multiple competing priorities.
• Knowledge of and skill in working with databases and other typical office software programs.
• Knowledge of the case assignment process. Knowledge of procedure for public access to court files.
• Skill in checking for prohibited filings and unpaid fees on prior filings.
• Knowledge of how to process, issue, and certify documents.
• Proven analytical reasoning skills and sound judgment.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Excellent spelling, grammar, and proofreading skills.
• Cashiering experience.
• Interest in public service
• Experience using automated systems for filing documents and extracting relevant information.
• Bachelor's Degree

Specialized Experience is progressively responsible clerical experience that is in, or closely related to, the work of the position and which has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This involves the routine use of automated software and keyboarding for word processing, data entry and report generation, demonstrated ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws.

Such experience is commonly encountered in law firms, legal counsel offices, banking and credit firms, educational institutions, social service organizations, insurance companies, real estate and title offices, and corporate headquarters or personnel/payroll operations.

The U.S. District Court is part of the federal Judicial branch of government and is independent of the Executive and Legislative branches. The court sets its own employment policies including remote work and performance management, while also valuing employees' individualism and continuing to strive towards a diverse, equitable and inclusive…