Intake Clerk

United States Courts; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Paid leave and holidays

Retirement benefits (Thrift Savings)

Job summary

The United States Courts in Birmingham, AL seeks a receptionist to support the Clerk’s Office with initial filings, fee collection, and mail processing. The role emphasizes customer service and adherence to court rules, procedures, and controls.

Limited telework may be available per policy at the Clerk of Court’s discretion. Responsibilities include greeting visitors, processing payments, handling receipts, and supporting document intake with accuracy and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle payments and issue receipts with accuracy.
• Familiarity with filing, records management, and basic mailroom duties.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Serve as receptionist and provide accurate information to customers.
• Assist in receipt and review of documents for conformity with rules and court requirements.
• Inform customers of fees, receive payments, and issue receipts; process funds and maintain logs.
• Sort, classify, and file case records; retrieve and copy records for court personnel.
• Sort and distribute mail; operate postage equipment and affix postage.
• Provide backup coverage for team members and other departments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Clerical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Word processing software

Databases

Job description

Overview of the Position This position is organized in the Operations section of the U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office, with responsibilities that include clerical duties that support initial filings, collection of required fees, and the processing of mail, all with a focus on customer service and in accordance with approved rules, procedures, and internal controls. Limited situational telework may be available per policy at the discretion of the Clerk of Court.

• Act as a receptionist, providing accurate and appropriate information to customers
• Assist in the receipt and review of incoming documents to determine conformity with appropriate rules, practices, and/or court requirements
• Inform customers of required fees, receive payments, and issue receipts. Process funds in the automated cash register, process credit card payments, and maintain the check log.
• Sort, classify, and file case records. Retrieve files and make copies of records for court personnel, attorneys, and others.
• Sort, process, and distribute mail to appropriate departments and judicial chambers. Operate postage equipment and affix appropriate postage to official mail.
• Provide backup coverage for team members and other departments, as required
• Perform other duties, as assigned

Qualifications

• Employees must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States
• Employees will be hired provisionally pending the results of a background investigation
• Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees
• Employees are required to use Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit
• Positions with the U.S. District Court Clerk's Office are Excepted Service appointments. Excepted service appointments are at-will and can be terminated with or without cause by the Clerk of Court.

Applicants must have work and/or educational experience that demonstrates attention to detail, a high degree of professionalism, and a commitment to excellence. The incumbent must possess strong interpersonal, organizational, and customer service skills; be able to communicate accurately, effectively, and timely; and be skilled in the use of automated systems and software, including word processing and databases.

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A college degree is preferred.

Employee Benefits

A generous benefits package is available and includes:

• Paid annual leave (13-26 days, depending on federal service accrued)
• Paid sick leave (13 days)
• Paid holidays (11 days)
• Retirement benefits (e.g., immediate matching contributions in the Thrift Savings Plan
• Optional participation in Federal Employees’ Health Benefits, supplemental Dental and Vision Insurance, and Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.