The posting
$125,768 to $197,200* (CL 30) San Francisco, CA
Are you interested in a position that supports the federal Judiciary’s mission of ensuring equal justice under the law? Do you possess strong leadership skills, have experience managing multiple programs and teams, and thrive on complex, rule-driven work? The Clerk’s Office of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is seeking a talented operations supervisor to join our team.
Representative Duties
- This position is located within the Office of the Clerk in San Francisco and reports to the Chief Deputy. The Operations Supervisor will supervise multiple departments within the Clerk’s Office, including the calendar and case materials units and the staff members who perform those functions.
- Oversees the flow of cases and materials and the assignment of cases to oral argument calendars; regularly analyzes the efficiency and accuracy of systems and processes; identifies opportunities for improvement; and implements changes in consultation with the Clerk and Chief Deputy.
- Ensures the quality of case-related data and refines processes to improve efficiency and accuracy of the recusal system and case materials.
- Develops and facilitates training for existing, new, and changing programs, functions, goals, and processes. Studies quantity and quality of work and takes or recommends necessary corrective action.
- Manages staffing, workload, and coverage of teams; sets performance standards; and leads professional training, development, and evaluation of staff.
- Recommends short- and long-range plans and schedules, sets priorities and deadlines, and coordinates these with subordinates and other teams.
- Analyzes and interprets administrative office directives, court rules, and orders of the court affecting the work of the Clerk’s Office.
- Compiles and presents statistical information and reports for the court, the Administrative Office, chambers, and Clerk’s Office leadership.
- Maintains open communication and good working relationships with judges' chambers.
- A successful candidate will promote good working relationships and morale, setting a positive example for subordinates in working closely with judges, management, court personnel, other courts, and governmental agencies to improve the case flow process and overall operations of the court.
Required Qualifications
A minimum of six years of progressively responsible, successful, and substantive administrative and/or operational experience (three of which must be managerial) in public service, legal, or comparable professional fields. A successful candidate will also demonstrate:
- A record of leading, motivating, and developing teams.
- Being highly organized and detail-oriented.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to advise senior leaders, brief complex matters, and respond promptly to inquiries from a wide range of audiences.
- The ability to successfully resolve personnel matters.
- Experience responding to the needs of multiple senior leaders within an organization and defining and streamlining operational processes in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
- Sound judgment and unwavering discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Proficiency with legal case management or workflow systems, including the ability to conduct training, define reports, and make recommendations regarding operational needs.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of court appellate practice and procedure, or demonstrated ability to master a complex, rule-driven operating environment quickly.
- Experience in a court, legal agency, adjudicatory body, or other high-volume case processing organization.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Total Rewards and Work-Life Balance
- Salary*: Depending on qualifications and experience, $125,768 to $197,200 (CL 30)
- Time off: 13 days of paid vacation for the first three years, increasing with tenure thereafter, 13 sick days accrued per year, 11 paid holidays
- Benefits: Employer-subsidized health and life insurance plans. Dental, vision, flexible spending account, and long-term care plans are available. Employer-sponsored pension plan and supplemental retirement contribution plans with employer match.
- Other Perks: Telework opportunities, eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, mass transit subsidy, reasonable work hours, team environment, creative people, and enhanced vacation accrual-based tenure.
How to Apply
Please upload the following documents through the Career Portal by using the appropriate upload button:
• a cover letter directly responding to this vacancy announcement, and
• a current resume
We will consider only applications with a cover letter and resume.
Next Steps
We will give priority consideration to applicants who apply by September 14, 2026.
If selected for an interview, tentative interview dates include the week of September 15, 2026.
Video conference interviews available.
Conditions of Employment
U.S. citizen or a permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Direct deposit of pay is required. 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 courts. Employees must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
The Court 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 Opportunity Employer
We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The 9th Circuit 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.
