Assistant Circuit Executive for Public Information, Conference, and Education - U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

$146,488 - $195,200* (CL 31) San Francisco, CA

Telework options available

*Actual salary based on qualifications and experience

Do you possess excellent leadership, communication, organization, and critical thinking skills? Do you have experience in conference planning, public information, and/or professional education? If you are interested in a position that supports the federal judiciary's mission of ensuring equal justice under the law, come join our talented and diverse team at the Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE)!

About the Role

The Assistant Circuit Executive (ACE) for Public Information, Conference, and Education (PICE) is a senior level position that reports directly to the Circuit Executive or Deputy Circuit Executive and provides conference and event planning support to the Chief Circuit Judge and other federal judges, court unit executives, and members of the Bar. The ACE for PICE directly manages and supervises a team of eight public information, conference planning, and judicial education professionals. The incumbent supports the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and supports other workshop or judicial education committee chairs as required. The incumbent, along with conference planning staff, is responsible for planning and managing the annual Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and promoting and organizing its ongoing activities and projects. The incumbent assists in the development and delivery of educational programs and provides logistical support for large-scale meetings and conferences. The incumbent, individually and through Public Information staff, acts as a media resource to judges, court unit executives, and court staff at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as court units throughout the circuit.

Representative duties include:

• Serves as secretary to the Conference Executive Committee of the Ninth Circuit. Assists in planning the conference agenda, schedules and plans regular meetings, prepares agenda and reports, and takes and distributes meeting minutes.
• Plans, supervises, and implements all arrangements for the annual Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, including program planning and budget.
• Plans and administers the agendas, logistics, and budgets of committees, educational programs, and orientation programs for judges and lawyer representatives.
• In collaboration with conference planning staff, oversees meeting management operations to ensure that all requirements for site selection, contract negotiation, and budget preparation are met.
• Provides staff support to the Ninth Circuit Education Committee, the Bankruptcy Judges Education Committee, and the Magistrate Judges Education Committee. Schedules and plans meetings to set educational priorities in the circuit. Prepares agendas and reports. Compiles and prepares budgets for requested programs. Follows up with the FJC and AO to obtain funding for priority programs. Consults and assists court units in program development and execution. Assists in program evaluations and wrap up.
• Plans and oversees the Ninth Circuit's New Judges Orientation program to educate new judicial officers about the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council and Circuit operations.
• Responsible for the design, development, and implementation of a comprehensive communication program with federal judicial and non-judicial personnel, including the federal bar and other legal institutions, the media and the public.
• Plans, designs, and oversees various Circuit publications.
• Helps draft speeches and presentations for the Chief Circuit Judge and others.
• Supervises the Public Information, Conference, and Education (PICE) Unit and develops and oversees the annual budget for the unit.

Required skills:

• Thorough knowledge of the judiciary and its history, organizational structure, court interrelationships, and operations.
• Ability to plan, manage, and coordinate a major conference.
• Ability to supervise a team of eight professional and support staff.
• Ability to design and deliver education and training programs.
• Ability to coach judges, lawyers, and other professionals on presentation skills.
• Significant time management skills
• Ability to work under very tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of and compliance with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Ability to demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with all levels of managers, judicial officers and court staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with judges, lawyers, and others to influence the development and delivery of highly professional and successful programs.
• Some familiarity with conference registration software such as CVENT.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.
• Three or more years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading, directing, and managing people.
• Experience planning, managing, and developing programming for large events with various stakeholders and high-profile attendees and speakers.
• Occasional travel throughout the Ninth Circuit is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or graduate degree from an accredited university.
• Five or more years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in the federal judiciary or another court system or government agency.
• Experience in public information, public/media relations, judiciary education, civics education, or related fields.

About the Office

The Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) serves the Ninth Judicial Circuit of the United States, which is the largest federal circuit in the country, comprising nine western states and two United States territories. The OCE serves the Court of Appeals as well as all District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Probation and Pretrial Services Offices, and Federal Public Defender's Offices within the Ninth Circuit.

The OCE was created by statute to provide professional administrative staffing to circuit councils, which are composed primarily of judges engaged full-time in deciding cases. The OCE provides administrative support to the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit and its various committees. It also provides direct services to all judicial court units within the Circuit. All OCE responsibilities flow from directives of the Judicial Council or the Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit. The OCE is organized around the Judicial Council's core functions.

The OCE is committed to providing professional support to the Judicial Council and all court units within the Ninth Circuit and ensuring the highest level of public trust in the administration of justice. This support includes identifying needs, conducting studies, proactively developing and implementing innovative policies, providing training, providing public information and human resources support, coordinating building and IT projects, and advising the Judicial Council on procedural and ethical matters.

Position Details

Location: The Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) is based at the James R. Browning United States Courthouse in San Francisco, California. Remote work options (telework) are available for this position.

Rewards & Perks

Salary: $146,488 - $195,200 (CL 31), depending on qualifications and experience.

Time off: 11 paid holidays, 13 vacation days, and 13 sick leave days per year. After three years (including any prior federal work experience), vacation days accrue at a higher rate.

Benefits:

• Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).
• Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans.
• Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.
• Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.
• Public transit subsidy. Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• On-site gym (in Browning Courthouse).
• Remote/Telework/Work-From-Home options are available.

How to Apply

Please submit your application materials in PDF format through the Career Portal and include: (1) a cover letter directly responding to this vacancy announcement; (2) an up-to-date resume; and (3) a list of three work references, two of which must be current or former supervisors. Only applications with these required materials will be considered.

Next Steps

• Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by January 31, 2025.
• Position will remain open until filled.

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the OCE. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay is required.

The OCE reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including but not limited to budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.

Equity Focused Employer

We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The OCE encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.