Executive Magistrate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The United States District Court and the Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the Central District of California, which serves nearly 20 million people in seven counties, seeks a dedicated and experienced administrator to serve as a senior level executive to fill the District Court Executive/Clerk of Court ("DCE/Clerk") position that will become available in November/December 2026. The DCE/Clerk occupies the highest level non-judicial position in the Court and supports the judges of the district by overseeing and leading the Court's extensive administrative and operational functions. The DCE/Clerk also assists in resolving complex and sensitive issues that have a significant impact on the day-to-day functioning of the Court. The DCE/Clerk is appointed by the judges of the court and reports directly to the Chief United States District Judge. The DCE/Clerk communicates regularly with the district and magistrate judges, and also interacts regularly with: the Chief Probation and Pretrial Services Officer, Probation and Pretrial Services staff; Clerk's Office staff; other court unit executives; including the Bankruptcy Court, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies; the District's United States Attorney and Federal Public Defender; the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Office of the Ninth Circuit Executive, and the Federal Judicial Center; bar associations; and the media. Travel and public speaking are part of the required duties of this position.
The Central District of California is one of the largest federal courts in the nation. The District has three divisional locations, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and Riverside plus seven probation and pretrial services satellite offices. The Court currently consists of 28 District Judges, 10 Senior Judges, 24 Magistrate Judges, 151 judicial staff, 265 clerk's office staff, and 260 probation and pretrial staff as well as intermittent interns and externs.
Representative Responsibilities:
The DCE/Clerk's responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Consulting with the Chief Judge regarding court administration and policy;
• Providing the administrative and operational infrastructure necessary to efficiently and effectively achieve the court's mission;
• Consulting with, making recommendations to, and implementing the decisions of the judges regarding court policies and procedures;
• Directing staff responsible for the processing of civil and criminal cases, the issuance of process, and the maintenance of official records in the custody of the court;
• Managing the jury operations of the court and making recommendations as required to improve juror utilization;
• Directing development and administration of comprehensive emergency preparedness plans;
• Preparing and managing the annual budget;
• Assisting the Chief Judge with long range and short-term planning including courthouse facility management, security, and space planning;
• Hiring, assigning, managing, and disciplining personnel as well as designing and managing training programs;
• Directing staff responsible for the court's financial functions including purchasing, juror payments, and accounting;
• Managing staff responsible for automation and information technology services, statistical analysis and reporting requirements, inventory control, internal accounting controls, and human resources management;
• Supervising the preparation of special studies when requested by the Court and preparing statistical and narrative reports;
• Serving as a liaison to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the General Services Administration, the United States Marshal Service, and other government agencies on a variety of issues necessary to court activities;
• Working with the court, members of the bar, and the public, to improve the delivery of court services;
• Serving as the district's Chief Public Information Officer; and
• Creating a vision of excellence through strategic planning in an environment of limited and decreasing resources.

Skills/Qualifications:
Qualifications : To be qualified for appointment as DCE/Clerk, a candidate must have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible administrative experience in public service or business that provides a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural, and human aspects of managing an organization. At least three of the ten years must have been in a position of substantial management responsibility. An attorney who is actively practicing law in either the public or private sector may substitute said active practice on a year-for-year basis for the management or administrative experience requirements.
Experience : The candidate should be experienced in managing multiple complex tasks with competing deadlines and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a wide range of persons. The candidate should have relevant experience in building management and space planning. The candidate must be fluent in the use of technology, including mastery of Microsoft Office Suite. The candidate must be knowledgeable and experienced with the operation and maintenance of an electronic case filing system and IT systems security.
The candidate should be skilled in leading, motivating, and overseeing a large and diverse workforce. The candidate should be experienced with all aspects of court services, including direct customer services, performance of administrative tasks, and should be familiar with court governance policies.
Education: Although not required, a bachelor's degree in public administration, business or court administration from an accredited college or university is preferred; a graduate degree in a similar field of study, or a law degree, is highly desirable.
Benefits:

• United States District Court employees are entitled to federal benefits such as: a defined benefit pension plan; a retirement savings plan including generous matching contributions; paid vacation and sick leave; eleven paid federal holidays per year; and choosing from an array of insurance plans including health, life, dental, vision, long term disability, long term care, and flexible spending programs.
• Commuter subsidies are available to employees who use public transportation to and from work.
• Extensive on-line training options. Travel reimbursement for in-person training and professional conferences available, funds permitting.
• Federal court employees can join the Federal Court Clerks Association, a national, professional court organization founded in 1922.

Information for Applicants:

• This position is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.
• The DCE/Clerk is a highly sensitive executive position within the federal judiciary. Therefore, the final candidate will be subject to a ten-year background investigation, and subsequent favorable suitability determination. The successful candidate will be subject to reinvestigation every five years thereafter. Employment is considered provisional until the successful completion of the background investigation.
• The successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States currently seeking citizenship or intending to become a citizen immediately after meeting the eligibility requirements.
• This position is subject to mandatory electronic fund transfer (direct deposit) participation for payment of net pay.
• Expenses associated with interviews will not be reimbursed; however, relocation expenses may be reimbursed, subject to the Court's discretion.
• The United States District Court requires employees to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Federal Judicial Employees, which is available on the Court's website: www.cacd.uscourts.gov .

HOW TO APPLY

1. Application packets should be submitted by email to hr_cacd@cacd.uscourts.gov . Attached documents must be in PDF format and the email should reference the position title and Vacancy No. 26-51. Complete application packets must include the following:
   • a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, qualifications, and skills, and explaining your interest in the position.
   • a resume that includes three professional references.
   • a narrative statement (see below).
   • an application for Federal Branch Employment (visit the court's website at www.cacd.uscourts.gov to download the job application).
   
   Due to the volume of applications received, the Court will communicate only with those individuals who will be interviewed. Applicants scheduled to interview should advise the Human Resources staff if any accommodation will be necessary to interview.
   The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.
   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.
2. Applicants must submit a narrative statement addressing each factor listed below or the application will be rejected . Each factor should be addressed separately and include a description of the demonstrated experience that is directly related to the duties, responsibilities, and supplemental factors for this position.
   • Describe your education or progressively responsible administrative experience that demonstrates knowledge of legal procedure and familiarity with legal documents. Include the length of time and average number of hours per day using these skills or education.
   • Describe your abilities and work experiences exemplifying your oral and written skills.
   • Describe your work-related or life experiences in managing multiple priorities and a high volume of work.

NEXT STEPS
After we receive application packets (including all required documents) to the designated email address, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, applications will be referred to the selection committee who will determine who may be contacted for an interview. Interviews are tentatively targeted to occur in September 2026. Those who are selected for an interview will be contacted accordingly.
The Federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer