Jury Administrator

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Position:Jury Administrator
Excepted Service Full-Time position with benefits
Salary:CL 27 ($58,174 to $94,572, Table Reno)
Depending upon qualifications and experience
Opens:August 27, 2024
Closes:September 10, 2024
Location:Reno, Nevada

Introduction

The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada has an opening for a Jury Administrator. Whether launching or continuing a career in public service, the Clerk’s Office for the U.S. District Court of Nevada is a great place to work with competitive salaries and benefits, a flex-time work schedule that promotes a work-life balance, access to a fitness center, and the opportunity to work with colleagues committed to fulfilling the important mission of administering justice in an efficient and effective manner.

Representative Duties

  • Manage and maintain the district court’s jury processes. Ensure all jury operations are consistent with internal controls, procedures, rules, regulations, and the district’s Jury Plan. Assist with the review of and update of the Jury Plan, as required. Assist or represent the Clerk in performing the duties required of the Clerk and Jury Commissioner.
  • Analyze the jury system, make recommendations, and implement efficiencies to the jury management system, incorporating such strategies as jury pooling, staggered jury reporting times, and other practices to reduce costs and maximize juror utilization.
  • Perform duties related to master wheel refill. Determine the number of prospective jurors needed to fill the master wheel based on analysis of past trends and a projection of future needs. Create jury wheel lists, including master, term, and panel, for both general and qualified jurors.
  • Oversee the preparation and mailing of summons notices and forms. Determine an appropriate number of questionnaires to be mailed based on an estimated percentage of returns. Determine from an examination of returned questionnaires those persons who are qualified as jurors under applicable statues and local rules. Oversee follow-up procedures on persons who fail to respond to questionnaires or jury summonses and take appropriate action to ensure compliance. Make decisions to grant or deny requests for deferral of service, along with follow-up on non-compliant jurors, including preparation of orders to show cause for the jury judge.
  • Recommend to the judge the number of jurors to be summoned in special circumstances. Monitor court calendars and/or coordinate with courtroom deputies or others, to determine appropriate numbers of jurors needed for trials.
  • Work with chambers staff, clerk’s office staff, U.S. Marshal Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office, or other groups to ensure the smooth operation of high-profile or protracted jury trials. Assist in making arrangements and perform duties relating to sequestration of jurors.
  • Assist in determining court policy as to sizes of jury panels for various types of trials.
  • Maintain and update the inbound and outbound telephone calls through use of an interactive voice response system for summoned jurors. Develop and maintain juror information for the court’s Internet site. Respond to juror inquiries and requests in person, by phone, and in writing.
  • Develop and update orientation materials. Conduct juror orientation and assist jurors with logistical needs. Orient jurors as to all aspects of jury service, including service payment, excuses, reporting, absences, Jury Act rights, and respond to inquiries. Oversee the preparation of juror certificates.
  • Monitor and record juror attendance for management of their service and payment.
  • Prepare vouchers for jury and vendor payments, including juror fees, mileage, lodging, and parking costs, as applicable. Prepare annual tax statements regarding juror compensation.
  • Prepare monthly jury statistical reports for submission to the Administrative Office. Prepare reports and memoranda regarding jury administration for the clerk of court and chief deputy.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • To qualify for the position, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • To be appointed at the CL-27 level, experience must include at least two years of specialized experience.
  • One year or more of progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical or administrative procedures that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involves the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment.

General Experience – 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.

Specialized Experience – Progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience that is in, or closely related to the work 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, data entry and report generation.

The successful candidate must possess:

  • Unquestioned integrity, trustworthiness, character, and the ability to maintain confidentiality; demonstrate sound and mature problem-solving skills and judgment in handling sensitive material; exhibit a professional and positive demeanor and a customer focused attitude; and the ability to work independently.
  • Proven organizational skills and be able to communicate effectively with others, both verbal and written. 
  • Excellent and professional written and verbal communication skills.
  • High-level interpersonal and customer service skills.
  • A broad knowledge and understanding of policies and procedures of the court, and of the federal and local rules.
  • The ability to interact with a wide variety of people tactfully and courteously.
  • The ability to multitask under strict deadlines.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work.
  • The ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.
  • Attentiveness to detail.
  • Knowledge of and familiarity with the court’s Jury Management System (JMS) and eJuror.
  • A professional appearance, demeanor and conduct appropriate for a court environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of legal terminology, federal court processes, and functions of the court.
  • Knowledge of the Jury Act and the court’s Jury Selection Plan.
  • Experience with facilitating group presentations.
  • Ability to provide leadership in a supportive and encouraging manner.

Physical Requirements

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Occasional travel to other divisional offices may be required. This position requires the ability to lift and move supplies, boxes, and equipment.

Benefits

  • Employees of the U.S. District Courts are not included in the government’s Civil Service classification. They serve under “excepted appointments” and are considered “at will” employees.  They are entitled to the same benefits as other federal government employees which include:
  • ∙ Thirteen days of paid vacation per year for the first three years of employment which increases incrementally after the first three years. 
  • ∙ Thirteen days of paid sick leave per year which can accumulate and be converted to time-in-service for retirement benefits.
  • ∙ Participation in a retirement program including a 401k with matching contributions.
  • ∙ Participation in the federal health insurance program of your choice.
  • ∙ Participation in a group life insurance program (optional).
  • ∙ Participation in a group dental and vision (optional). 
  • ∙ Participation in a flexible spending account for medical and/or dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis (optional).
  • ∙ A minimum of eleven (11) paid holidays per year.

NOTE: Nevada does not have a state income tax.

To Apply

Qualified applicants should submit: 1) a cover letter summarizing related skills and interest in this position, 2) a resume and 3) an AO78, Application for Federal Judicial Employment, via email to: NVD_HR@nvd.uscourts.gov.  The AO78 Application form and a summary of Federal Judiciary Benefits can be located at http://www.uscourts.gov/careers. All application information is subject to verification.  The selected candidate will be subject to an FBI fingerprint check, a background investigation, and may be subject to periodic updates.  Employment will be provisional and contingent on the satisfactory completion of the required background investigation.

All judiciary employees are required to adhere to the Judicial Code of Conduct.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States.  This position requires mandatory electronic fund transfer for payment of net pay.  Participation in the interview process will be at the applicant’s own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided. The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the announcement without other notice.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada is an Equal Opportunity Employer.