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 judge’s staff responsible for ensuring that chambers’ operations run smoothly and efficiently. The JA must perform a wide range of duties including managing the judge’s 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 Judge’s 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 judge’s 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 (Bachelor’s 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:

Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, health, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, supplemental benefits, retirement benefits and 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.

HOW TO APPLY:
To be assured consideration for this position, qualified applicants should submit the following:

• Cover letter;
• Resume;
• Contact information for three professional references; and
• Form AO78, Application for Judicial Branch Employment, which is available at: https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment 

All application documents should be emailed in one PDF format to: applications@iand.uscourts.gov

Include the announcement number and position title in the email subject line.

The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the announcement, or to fill the position sooner than the closing date without written notice to applicants. Incomplete applications, as well as those not submitted electronically, will not be considered. The court is not authorized to reimburse candidates for travel in connection with an interview or pay for any relocation expenses. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The United States Courts is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.