Generalist Clerk/Case Administrator

United States Courts; Baltimore, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland seeks a Generalist Clerk/Case Administrator to support front‑line intake, case management, and records processing in a fast-paced environment.

The role offers growth potential from a Generalist Clerk to a Case Administrator at the CL 26 level with associated responsibilities. The candidate should be detail-oriented, organized, and capable of working independently or in a team, with strong interpersonal skills and familiarity with CM/ECF

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; two years general clerical experience.
• Self-starter with analytical and problem-solving skills and discretion.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Strong computer skills; familiarity with CM/ECF and court systems.
• Ability to lift records and handle physical filing materials.

Responsibilities

• Staff the intake reception area and greet the public; route calls and inquiries.
• Respond to inquiries about CM/ECF; provide support as needed.
• Process payments, collect fees, and balance cash drawer.
• Sort mail; review, route documents; scan and image records.
• Make summary entries and ensure automated docket entries are accurate.
• Open cases on receiving initiating documents; close cases on terminating documents.
• Request and return case files from archives; update related spreadsheets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Organizational skills

Multitasking / prioritization

Computer literacy

Professionalism / confidentiality

Education

High school diploma

Tools

CM/ECF familiarity

Document imaging systems

Copy/records equipment operation

Job description

Court Name/Organization Maryland District Court

Overview of the Position The Clerk of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland is seeking qualified applicants interested in a long-term career in public service with the federal judiciary to serve in the position of Generalist Clerk/Case Administrator. Qualified candidates will be highly motivated, well organized, detail-oriented, with exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. This is a career ladder position that has the potential for growth from a Generalist Clerk to a Case Administrator at the CL 26 compensation level with additional responsibilities.

• Staffs the Clerk’s Office intake reception area, including greeting members of the public; answers and routes telephone calls to appropriate staff or department; as well as addressing in-person inquiries from the general public, members of the bar, and other court-related agencies on case status, court procedures and filing processes.
• Addresses and responds to inquiries from attorneys, chambers, and related agencies about the Case Management/ Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system. Provides additional support as needed.
• Informs customers of required fees, receives payments and issues receipts. Ensures the collection and receipt of applicable fees. Secures funds in cash register and balances cash drawer at the end of the day.
• Sorts and processes mail. Receives, reviews, and routes incoming documents. Scans and converts documents as needed into imaged files. Processes document and record requests, including document reproduction, preparation, and certification. Operates a variety of copying and records equipment to fulfill copy work requests.
• Make summary entries and assure the quality of all documents and proceedings entered on the automated docket. Assist in case management by ensuring that all automated entries are appropriately linked and routed. Prepare and transmit to appropriate parties such items as: notices, judgments, and orders.
• Open cases upon receipt of initiating documents, such as complaints, and/or petitions. Close cases upon receipt of terminating documents, such as judgments and closing orders. Organizes and processes case files returned by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Requests case files and documents from archive facilities. Process the return of archive files including preparing archive return pallets; boxing files; updating spreadsheets; scheduling pick-ups.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school graduate, or equivalent, required plus two years general experience. Education above high school may be substituted based on one academic year being equal to one year of general experience.
• Self-starter with demonstrated analytical and problem‑solving skills, professional demeanor, and ability to exercise sound judgment, act with diplomacy, and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external individuals as well as people with varying experiences and backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational skills, including ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Ability to multi‑task, prioritize and follow through. Ability to adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate.
• Excellent computer skills as well as the ability to adjust to ever‑changing technology. Familiarity with electronic case filing and the court system are desirable. Court, legal experience, or college education preferred.
• Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
• Strong customer service experience and the ability to interact in a team environment required.
• Some lifting of records is required.

General Experience

*General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position. Education above high school may be substituted for general experience.

Specialized Experience

*Specialized experience is progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience that is in, or closely related to, the duties and responsibilities of the position and which has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and involves the routine use of automated software and keyboarding for word processing for report generation.

Employee Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long‑term care insurance programs available.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care available.
• Vacation/annual leave (13-26 days per year increasing with years of service), sick leave (13 days per year) and paid holidays (11 days).
• Paid parental leave (12 weeks) for the birth or adoption of a child after one year of employment.
• Telework possibilities after successful training and probationary period.
• Retirement (FERS - Federal Employees Retirement Program) with employer and employee contributions as well as immediate matching contributions in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401K style plan.
• The U.S. District Court is a qualifying employer for possible Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Parking is available near the courthouse at no cost as funding allows as well as the option to participate in the commuter benefit programs.
• Additional information about the federal judiciary’s benefits can be found on the U.S. Courts website .

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national or a permanent resident who is seeking citizenship in the United States. Successful candidate for this position is subject to a full fingerprint and background records check and mandatory electronic direct deposit of salary payment.
• This is a sensitive position within the Federal Judiciary. The selected candidate will be hired provisionally, pending the successful completion of the required background investigation and favorable employment suitability determination.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete a one‑year probationary period. Failure to successfully complete the probationary period may result in termination of employment. Positions in the United States Courts are excepted appointments, are not under the Civil Service System, and are “at will” employees.
• The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the job announcement, and/or to commence interviews immediately, any of which actions may occur without prior written or other notice.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.