Judicial Assistant to Chief District Judge

U.S. District Court; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement benefits

Tax-deferred savings plan

Job summary

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa invites applications for a Judicial Assistant to Chief District Judge in Cedar Rapids, IA. The JA will manage the judge's schedule, correspondence, and court filings, and coordinate with chambers staff, bar, and the public.

Ideal candidates have strong administrative, organizational and communication skills, confidentiality, and the ability to multi-task in a small office.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States.
• High School diploma or equivalent; higher degrees preferred but not required.
• Two years general experience and two years specialized experience in a supervisory support role.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operation of chambers and judge's calendar.
• Prepare/edit court orders, correspondences, and agendas.
• Coordinate with law clerks, court staff, and external parties.
• Maintain confidential records and assist with docketing and case management.
• Greet visitors and respond to inquiries; handle travel itineraries.

Skills

Typing

Windows proficiency

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Discretion

Multitasking

Administrative support

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor/Associate/Paralegal/JD preferred

Tools

Lexis/Westlaw

Case Management Systems

Job description

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF IOWA CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Position Title: Judicial Assistant to U.S. Chief District Judge

Vacancy Number: 26-02

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Salary Range: Judicial Salary Plan, JSP07 JSP11 Starting salary depending on qualifications and experience Salary range: $50,460 - $97,087

Opening Date: October 1, 2026

Closing Date: Open until filled

Start Date: December 21, 2026

Position Overview

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa is currently accepting applications for a Judicial Assistant (JA) to Chief District Court Judge C.J. Williams. This position is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and reports directly to the Chief Judge. The JA is an integral part of the judges staff responsible for ensuring that chambers operations run smoothly and efficiently. The JA must perform a wide range of duties including managing the judges schedule and correspondence, interfacing daily with all courthouse staff, members of the bar and the public, maintaining records and assisting with docketing or other case management duties as assigned by the judge. Applicants should be dynamic self-starters with excellent interpersonal skills who demonstrate both initiative and follow through in all duties, enjoy multi-tasking, and can readily adapt to fast-changing priorities in a small-office setting. Applicants must have excellent administrative, organizational, project management and conceptual skills; the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing; and a solid command of office protocols and administrative practices such as calendaring, travel planning, assembling, photocopying, filing, record keeping, telephone usage and typing. Accuracy and attention to detail in grammar, spelling, punctuation and proofreading are a must.

Representative Duties

• Manage day-to-day operation of chambers.
• Maintain Judges calendar. Arrange meetings and conferences for Judge and support personnel.
• Manage chambers internal case management system, including coordination with law clerks on chambers case load and communicating with other chambers regarding case-related issues.
• Prepare and/or edit court orders, and other documents, proofread, and verify citations. Prepare correspondence and agendas for meetings and conferences.
• Manage the flow of information coming into and going from chambers, including receiving, reviewing, and appropriately referring incoming and outgoing correspondence, mail and filings, in both electronic and paper format.
• Prepare and maintain the judges travel itineraries and arrangements, and coordinate with other court units.
• Greet callers in person and on the telephone, respond to inquiries, and direct callers to the appropriate staff member.
• Provide assistance to and communicate with law clerks.
• Prepare reports; assemble and attach supplemental material, gather and maintain statistical data for reports.
• Other duties as requested.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. In addition, the successful candidate must have a High School diploma or equivalent (Bachelors Degree, Associate Degree, Paralegal Certificate or J.D. is preferred but not required) and must possess two years general experience and a minimum of 2 years specialized experience, defined as: progressively responsible secretarial experience which involved responsibility as the principal office assistant to a supervisor who was dealing with law-related matters (such as might be found in a law, insurance or real estate office).
• Advanced computer and typing skills, including proficiency in Windows. Legal research and/or cite-checking skills and familiarity with legal databases such as Lexis, Westlaw and the federal courts Case Management/Electronic Case Files are highly desirable.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Accuracy and attention to detail in grammar, spelling, editing, and proofreading. Consummate professionalism, discretion, and integrity. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all office and judicial matters, work independently as needed, and organize work with proficiency. Ability to successfully handle multiple priorities with conflicting deadlines and demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing priorities.

Benefits

• paid vacation and sick leave
• health, dental and vision benefits
• life insurance
• disability insurance
• supplemental benefits
• retirement benefits
• a tax-deferred savings plan

This position is subject to mandatory participation in electronic funds transfer (direct deposit) for payroll.

Additional Information

• The United States District Court requires employees to adhere to all Judicial Conference regulations. Employees must follow the policies outlined in the Guide to Judicial Policies and Procedures and are bound by the ethical standards established by the judge and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
• All Judicial employees are excepted service appointments and as such are at will employees that can be terminated with or without cause by the Court at any time.
• As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must undergo an FBI background check. Employment will be considered provisional until the FBI background check is completed.
• Only qualified applicants who submit all of the required documents listed below will be considered for this position.

The United States Courts is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.