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Job Details for Systems Administrator

Court Name/Organization California Southern District Court
Overview of the Position The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California is accepting applications for the position of Systems Administrator. This position is located in the Clerk’s Office and reports to the Director of Information Technology. The Systems Administrator provides specialized technical support to Judges, chambers, and Clerk’s Office staff, in the areas of PC maintenance and software support, and provides oversight of local and wide-area network hardware, operating systems & software.
Location San Diego, CA
Opening and Closing Dates 05/14/2026 - Open Until Filled
Appointment Type Permanent
Classification Level/Grade CL 26 - CL 27
Salary $62,110 - $110,917
Link to Court Careers Information https://www.casd.uscourts.gov/Careers.aspx
Announcement Number 26-22
Link to Job Announcement

Position Description

Representative Duties:

  • Installs, secures, and supports all workstations, computerized hardware and software, printers and other peripheral devices used by all chambers and clerk’s office staff. Installs all applications software, advises all staff on the use of installed hardware and software.
  • Provides the results of research of all workstations, equipment, software, printers and other peripheral devices used by all chambers and Clerk’s Office staff. Keeps abreast of current and anticipated information technology needs relating to PC support functions.
  • Provides analysis of PC support needs regarding software and hardware. Ensures that changes are implemented with minimal disruption to the court unit and staff. Performs testing of required software and hardware prior to implementation.
  • Establishes, coordinates, and delivers training in system use and capabilities to end-users.
  • Provides user support and problem resolution for systems-related problems via the on-line help desk program, the telephone, and on-site intervention.
  • Partners with software programmers to understand court customer needs in specific systems features. This may involve learning national systems, or it may mean participating in the planning for, and the acquisition of a specific system for the court unit. Installs software and advises end-users on the integration of the revised or new software.
  • Maintains a library of all software, including documentation of locally developed material.
  • Will keep apprised of operating updates, patches, configuration changes, and firmware upgrades to computer equipment. Analyze system log files and identify potential issues with computer systems when alerted. Monitor network communication on an as need basis. Communicates integration and performance issues to other PC Support staff.
  • Helps maintain the security of the network, including passwords and virus protection. Will assist all levels of staff with resetting passwords; will provide for Active Directory user administration (setup and account maintenance) and monitor virus activity when receiving alerts. Updates and informs the team on all virus alerts and remedies. Perform routine audits of systems and software on an as need basis.
  • Analyzes and resolves all PC support problems, relating to hardware and software. Will utilize network troubleshooting tools in a testing environment to gain the confidence of resolving PC issues. Incumbents are the first-tier support regarding all network related issues and creating/maintaining computer/laptop issues on the network. Quickly arrange repair for hardware when hardware failure on an as needed basis.
  • Stays apprised of installations, configurations and testing of new network equipment and software, hardware, and peripherals. Will study the current network infrastructure to support questions and inquiries from the staff on issues related to network connectivity.
  • Provides support for mobile devices and remote access.
  • Responds promptly and professionally to customer/user support needs, inquiries, and requests.
  • Responsible for imaging procedures and inventory, resource, and asset management in the office.
  • Maintains and manages various user accounts including MS Exchange.
  • Assistance and support for the A/V team as needed, including with support and troubleshooting of the Court’s audio/visual systems and courtroom systems.
  • Oversee the Court’s IT inventory to ensure proper documentation and tracking, including performing responsibilities if designated as one of the Court’s custodial or disposal officers.
  • Assist with and organize office projects that require IT support, such as moves and change requests within the office as well as escorting vendors.
  • Prepares and updates technical and user documentation, including standard operating procedures for all installed IT systems and applications.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is strongly preferred.
  • Excellent customer service skills and a detail-oriented focus.
  • Ability and desire to work well with a wide variety of end-users with differing needs and experiences.
  • Three to five years of relevant experience preferred.
  • Microsoft O365 support.
  • Mobile device (iPhone, iPad) proficiency.

General Experience

  • Ability to provide support during non-business hours (i.e., evenings, weekends) as required for projects or special events.
  • Ability to travel to locations within the Southern District of California.
  • Ability to lift up to 70 pounds and move light equipment as required.
  • The work in this position is performed in an office setting and is not a telework-eligible position.

Specialized Experience

Applicants for this position should possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience.

Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible experience that includes designing, implementing, or maintaining computer systems that includes the completion of computer assignments involving systems analysis, installation and integration, computer programming, and information technology project management.

Employee Benefits

Salary is just one component of the comprehensive compensation package offered by the Federal Court. Federal court employees are eligible for a full range of benefits that include 13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid holidays per year, a flexible work schedule, immediate matching Thrift Savings Plan, pre-tax programs (health, dependent care and transportation), and insurance plans (i.e., health, life, disability, and long-term care), car-pooling options and a transportation subsidy. Employer benefit contributions equate to no less than 33% of an employee’s total compensation.

For more information about federal court benefits, please visit the U.S. Courts website.

Miscellaneous

Information for Applicants

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the Clerk of Court may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without posting the position.

Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Employees of the U.S. District Court serve under “Excepted Appointments” and are considered “at will” employees. Federal Civil Service classifications or regulations do not apply; however, court employees are entitled to substantially the same benefits as other Federal Government employees.

All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.

Participation in the interview process will be at the applicant’s own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided. The position is subject to the mandatory electronic fund transfer (EFT) participation for payment of net pay (i.e., Direct Deposit). Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B). In most cases, this means that an offer of employment cannot be made unless the candidate is a lawful permanent resident who is seeking U.S. citizenship as explained below.

Under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible, and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.

If selected for first time appointment to a position, you may be required to complete an initial performance probationary period. Failure to successfully complete the probationary period may result in termination of employment.

Application Info

Qualified candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, a minimum of three references with contact information, and the AO-78 Application Form (available for download in the application portal). All application materials must be submitted here: CASD HR Application Portal. More information on career opportunities may also be found at www.casd.uscourts.gov.

Preference will be given to applicants who submit application materials before 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 5, 2026.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.