Job Details for Judicial Assistant to the Honorable Daniel P. Collins, U.S. Circuit Judge
| Court Name/Organization | Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals |
| Overview of the Position | The Judicial Assistant (JA) is a permanent staff member in the Judge's chambers. The successful candidate will be professional, organized, optimistic, and proficient, and must be committed to preserving the respectful culture of the court and the chambers. The successful will also have excellent organizational skills, the ability to act as the institutional memory of a small office with a staff of law clerks that turns over annually, and the initiative to ensure smooth-running operations in the Judge’s absence. This is an in-office position (part-time, 25-30 hours) and will not have work-from-home options. |
| Location | Pasadena, CA |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 08/03/2025 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | JS 8 - JS 11 |
| Salary | $64,503 - $112,053 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/employment/ |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The JA will provide a variety of support services for Judge Collins and his 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 his 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 JA also assists Judge Collins and his 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.
Qualifications
- High school diploma
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred but not required
- Must possess a strong legal, administrative or paralegal background
- Excellent command of English grammar and spelling
- A commitment to the highest ethical standards, including respecting the confidentiality of the court’s internal decision-making
- Excellent organization, communication and administrative skills
- Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, Outlook, and database maintenance
- Proficiency with making travel arrangements and submitting expense reports
- Ability to work collegially in a small working environment
- Integrity, character, good judgment, tact, and discretion
*Salary: Depending on qualifications and experience:
- For grade JS 8: Two years of general work experience, plus three years of specialized work experience (legal, paralegal or law office work)**
- For grade JS 9: One additional year of specialized work experience**
- For grade JS 10: Two additional years of specialized work experience**
- For grade JS 11: Three additional years of specialized work experience**
**A college degree may be substituted for general work experience; legal or paralegal training may be substituted for up to two years of specialized work experience.
Employee Benefits
*Salary: $64,503 - $112,053 (JS 8- JS 11). Based on full-time equivalent. Actual compensation will be prorated according to hours worked. Depending on qualifications and experience.
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
The JA will provide a variety of support services for Judge Collins and his 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 his 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 JA also assists Judge Collins and his 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.
Application Info
Please submit a PDF application through the Court’s Career Portal that includes:
- A cover letter
- A resume
- Two letters of recommendation or references
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Next Steps:
- Priority given to applications received by Aug. 15, 2025
- Video conference interviews available
- The position is open until it is filled
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.