POSITION OVERVIEW

This position is located in the office of the Clerk of Court and reports directly to the Judicial Support Manager. The Courtroom Services Clerk assists the Interpreters in coordinating requests for interpreter services, maintains records of interpreter services, and handles duties related to the payment of contract interpreters. The Courtroom Services Clerk assists with the Court Reporter Coordinator functions by coordinating services, maintaining records, and handling requests for transcripts when the Court Reporter Coordinator requires assistance or is on leave.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Arranging with contract interpreters for assignments as directed by the Interpreters.
• Prepares purchase orders and vouchers pursuant to the Court’s internal control guidelines.
• Solicit bids for individual assignments and processing requests to exceed approval rates.
• Review invoices submitted by contract interpreters for accuracy and proper completion.
• Assist the Fiscal department in reviewing eVoucher payments from Interpreters.
• Preparation of a daily schedule of interpreter services.
• Handling of telephone calls and emails associated with requests for interpreting services.
• Providing Interpreters with information for preparation of statistical reports.
• Tracking of obligated balances for every interpreter over the course of the fiscal year.
• Monitoring digital audio courtroom systems for sound quality to ensure interpreting equipment is working.
• Assist the Court Reporter Coordinator as necessary.
• Serve as the Court’s Access Coordinator for accommodation requests.
• Assist with the payment of both petit and grand jurors.
• Provide support to the Jury Department when necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants for this position must demonstrate an ability to work accurately and quickly in completing data input tasks. Also required is an ability to communicate effectively with a variety of people, including the deaf and/or hearing impaired, often under the pressure of deadlines. Strong customer service skills are required. Skill and accuracy in working with many projects simultaneously will be necessary, as are strong organizational skills. Familiarity with Microsoft Word and other computer applications is desirable. The ability to follow directives on handling sensitive and confidential information is required. Knowledge of JIFMS is desirable. Knowledge of court structure and the roles of interpreters and court reporters are desirable.

COMPENSATION
Compensation and classification level will be set based on the work experience, qualifications, and salary history of the successful candidate. To qualify at CL 23, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and have two years of general experience which is in or closely related to the work of the position and demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and ability to successfully perform the duties of the position. To qualify at a CL 24, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to work at the CL 23 level. To qualify at a CL 25, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to work at the CL 24 level.

Specialized experience is:
Progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation. 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 human resources/payroll operations.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The United States District Court offers a generous benefits package to full-time, permanent employees, which includes:
• Paid leave time for federal holidays, vacation, sick, and Parental Leave
• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Access to an infant and toddler care near the Courthouse.
• The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is available to full-time employees with qualifying student loans
• Life insurance
• Thrift Savings Plan with matching funds (401k & Roth 401k style)
• Participation in Federal Employees Retirement System
• Health, dependent care, and parking reimbursement programs
• Public Transit Subsidy Program
• Onsite employee gym
• Long-term care insurance
• Employee Assistance Program, which provides free counseling, financial assistance, and basic legal services
Further details regarding Federal benefits may be viewed at: ILND Benefits

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS
Consideration will only be given to those who apply through the court’s online applicant tracking system and provide a cover letter, resume, and provide two professional references by August 22, 2023. To view openings and to apply, visit our applicant tracking system at: ILND Jobs

Due to the volume of applications received, the Court will only communicate with those applicants who will be interviewed. Applicants selected for interviews will be communicated to only through email and must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Applicants will be screened to determine their experience and qualifications.

All new employees must be fully vaccinated (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) for COVID-19 and, prior to the starting with the Clerk’s Office, present proof of vaccination or submit a request in writing for an exemption to this requirement on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief or medical condition. Prior to appointment, the finalist candidate will be required to satisfactorily complete a criminal background investigation. The Court requires employees to adhere to a Code of Conduct which is available upon request. Direct deposit is required for payment of compensation for employees. Employees of the District Court, Northern District of Illinois are excepted service appointments. Employees are considered at-will and are not covered by federal civil service classifications or regulations. The United States District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Diversity is important to the Judiciary. It is an essential component of services that the Judiciary is charged with providing to maintain justice, equality, fairness, respect, and dignity in society. To fulfill its duties, the Judiciary must include all members of society—not just regardless, but also inclusive of race, gender, disability, and the many other variables that make up the citizens of our nation. The Judiciary has a duty to promote a fair, just, and sustainable model of inclusive democracy and social justice that surpasses any governmental entity in the history of this nation or of any other nation.

To be eligible for employment, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
(1) U.S. citizen;
(2) Person who owes allegiance to the U.S. (i.e., nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands);
(3) Person admitted as a refugee or granted asylum who has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or
(4) Lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) who is seeking citizenship. A lawful permanent resident “seeking citizenship”:
a. May not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen);
b. Must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible; and
c. Must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application).

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice.
Courtroom Services Clerk 2023-50

INFORMATION ABOUT THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
The Northern District of Illinois is home to the five largest cities in Illinois: Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, and Naperville. Also known as “The Windy City,” Chicago is the third most populous city in the U.S. with over 2.7 million inhabitants and nearly 10 million people living in the Chicago metropolitan area. With Lake Michigan as its eastern border, Chicago covers more than 237 square miles.
Chicago is home to numerous museums and cultural institutions including Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. A center of art and culture, Chicago has over 200 theaters, nearly 200 art galleries, and more than 7,300 restaurants.
Known for its magnificent skyline, Chicago is home to buildings designed by some of the world’s most renowned architects including Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mies van der Rohe, who designed the Dirksen Courthouse.
Major Chicago universities include University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Loyola University, University of Illinois Chicago, DePaul University and Illinois Institute of Technology. Professional Chicago sports teams include the Bulls (NBA), Sky (WNBA), Bears (NFL), Cubs (MLB), White Sox (MLB), Fire (MLS), Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), and Red Stars (NWSL). Chicago is a major world finance center. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange are within blocks of the Courthouse. The Northern District of Illinois is home to three international airports including O’Hare International Airport, among the busiest airports in the world