Job Details for Personal Assistant to the Honorable Ronald M. Gould
| Court Name/Organization | Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals |
| Overview of the Position | This is an excellent position for a recent graduate interested in the law who wants to gain experience in a court setting. You will be the personal assistant to a federal circuit judge with very limited mobility. Most importantly, this position requires patience and a pleasant demeanor. You will also need excellent typing and spelling skills, and the ability to listen well and follow directions. The majority of your time will be spent sitting with the judge and turning pages as he reads, adjusting his microphone, reading and typing emails for him, and revising documents. 100% reliability is a must. |
| Location | Seattle, WA |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 04/09/2025 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Salary | $45,331 - $80,848 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/employment/ |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
- Retrieve research materials, turn pages for the Judge as he reads, assist in highlighting and editing
- Type the Judge's emails; prepare executive correspondence, legal documents and other materials, including the Judge's case preparation memos and a summary of cases for calendar preparation
- Assist with organizing briefs and other papers for the Judge
- Help to ensure internal chambers' documents are kept up to date
- Copy, research, and print articles designated by the Judge for his case notebooks or reading
- Assist the Judge during hearings and conferences, including video and telephone participation
- Forward emails in the Judge's inbox to the chambers' secretary and staff throughout the day
- Assist the Judge with papers and materials during conferences
- Print and prepare documents for the Judge
- Take detailed electronic notes during Judges' conferences; help prepare conference memoranda
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Two years of general clerical experience (see classification levels below)
- Skill in the use of word processing and document editing systems, including knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office software and Adobe Acrobat
- Proficiency with email and Windows-based applications
- Excellent communication skills and ability to follow specific directions
- Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing priorities in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment
- Ability to interact effectively and appropriately with others
- Ability to work collegially in a small team environment
- Flexibility in work hours (for example: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — fluctuation or 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
- Ability to type at least 70-80 wpm accurately
*Required qualifications subject to change
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with courses in the legal field strongly preferred.
- Grade JS 5: Two years of general experience*
- Grade JS 6: Two years of general experience plus one year of specialized experience*
- Grade JS 7: Two years of general experience plus two years of specialized experience*
- Grade JS 8: Two years of general experience plus three years of specialized experience*
*A college degree may be substituted for general work experience; Specialized work experience is defined as progressively responsible secretarial experience that provided exposure to law-related matters.
Employee 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
Salary*: Depending on qualifications and experience, $45,331 to $80,848 (JS-5 to JS-8)
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
Other Perks: Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; public transit subsidy; alternate work schedules; and reasonable work hours.
Miscellaneous
- Retrieve research materials, turn pages for the Judge as he reads, assist in highlighting and editing
- Type the Judge's emails; prepare executive correspondence, legal documents and other materials, including the Judge's case preparation memos and a summary of cases for calendar preparation
- Assist with organizing briefs and other papers for the Judge
- Help to ensure internal chambers' documents are kept up to date
- Copy, research, and print articles designated by the Judge for his case notebooks or reading
- Assist the Judge during hearings and conferences, including video and telephone participation
- Forward emails in the Judge's inbox to the chambers' secretary and staff throughout the day
- Assist the Judge with papers and materials during conferences
- Print and prepare documents for the Judge
- Take detailed electronic notes during Judges' conferences; help prepare conference memoranda
Application Info
Please submit a single PDF application packet through the Career Portal that includes:
- Cover letter detailing your qualifications and experience performing the representative duties, and
- Current resume
Next Steps
Priority deadline: Wednesday, April 23, 2025. If selected for an interview, tentative interview dates are week of May 5, 2025. Position open until filled.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.