Job Details for Paralegal/Judicial Assistant to the Honorable Consuelo M. Callahan, U.S. Circuit Judge
| Court Name/Organization | Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals |
| Overview of the Position | The Paralegal/Judicial Assistant is a permanent staff member in the Judge’s Chambers. The successful candidate will be professional, organized, tech savvy, and flexible, and must be committed to preserving the respectful culture of the court and the chambers. The office includes a staff of one career clerk and three annually appointed law clerks, and the position is responsible for ensuring that operations run smoothly in the Judge’s absence. This position is a solid combination of both an executive assistant and a paralegal. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who works well under limited supervision, and will have the experience, aptitude, and willingness to perform both roles. This is a full-time, in-office position. |
| Location | Sacramento, CA |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 03/18/2025 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Salary | $81,960 - $106,543 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/employment/ |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
Representative Duties
The Paralegal/JA will provide a variety of support services for Judge Callahan and her law clerks including receiving and assisting visitors; answering and screening phone calls; preparing correspondence and reports; making travel arrangements; preparing expense reports; helping the Judge manage her professional assignments and court-related events; coordinating the Judge’s travel schedule; and maintaining office functionality, from ordering supplies to coordinating with the Clerk’s office, IT staff, and other court departments.
The Paralegal/JA also assists Judge Callahan and her law clerks in preparing for oral arguments, which includes performing case checks for potential conflicts of interest and managing electronic and paper case materials; acquiring and returning court records; maintaining the chambers calendar and monitoring critical deadlines; maintaining various databases; maintaining and updating charts tracking the status of various matters within the chambers; filing, collecting and submitting information for various required annual disclosures; drafting simple orders; proofreading and cite checking record and legal citations in orders and dispositions.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or Associate's degree and a paralegal certificate from an accredited college or university
- At least three years of paralegal experience
- A strong legal and administrative background with a commitment to the highest ethical standards, including respecting the confidentiality of the court’s internal decision-making
- High proficiency in English grammar, spelling, and writing
- Proficiency with The Bluebook and other legal style guides
- Excellent administrative, organizational, written, and oral communication skills
- Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, Outlook, legal research tools, and database maintenance. Experience with Apple products, SharePoint and coordinating Zoom or Teams meetings is a plus.
- Proficiency in making travel arrangements and submitting expense reports
- Ability to work collegially in a small office environment
- Integrity, character, good judgment, tact, and discretion
Employee Benefits
Total Rewards and Work-Life Balance
Salary: Depending on qualifications and experience, $81,960- $106,543 (JSP Grade 11).
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:
- Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (like a 401K)
- Expansive selection 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
Other Perks: Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; public transit subsidy; and reasonable working hours.
Miscellaneous
Representative Duties
The Paralegal/JA will provide a variety of support services for Judge Callahan and her law clerks including receiving and assisting visitors; answering and screening phone calls; preparing correspondence and reports; making travel arrangements; preparing expense reports; helping the Judge manage her professional assignments and court-related events; coordinating the Judge’s travel schedule; and maintaining office functionality, from ordering supplies to coordinating with the Clerk’s office, IT staff, and other court departments.
The Paralegal/JA also assists Judge Callahan and her law clerks in preparing for oral arguments, which includes performing case checks for potential conflicts of interest and managing electronic and paper case materials; acquiring and returning court records; maintaining the chambers calendar and monitoring critical deadlines; maintaining various databases; maintaining and updating charts tracking the status of various matters within the chambers; filing, collecting and submitting information for various required annual disclosures; drafting simple orders; proofreading and cite checking record and legal citations in orders and dispositions.
Application Info
Please submit a PDF application through the Court’s Career Portal that includes:
- A cover letter highlighting specific qualifications or skills that are a good fit for the position as described
- A resume
- Two letters of recommendation or two professional references
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Next Steps:
- Priority given to applications received by April 1, 2025. Interviews will be held mid-to-late April
- The position is open until it is filled
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.