Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Main Menu

Job Details for Chief Deputy Clerk (Type II)

Court Name/Organization New York Southern District Court
Overview of the Position The Chief Deputy Clerk is a senior executive-level position responsible for the day-to-day operation and administration of the Clerk’s Office, comparable to a Chief Operating Officer role. In this capacity, the Chief Deputy Clerk directs the overall management and planning of the Clerk’s Office, advises the Clerk of Court concerning court operations and administration, and collaborates with the Office’s executive team to ensure the Clerk’s Office functions as a unified, high-performing organization.
Location New York, NY
Opening and Closing Dates 08/28/2026 - Open Until Filled
Appointment Type Permanent
Classification Level/Grade JSP 16
Salary $204,478 - $209,600
Link to Court Careers Information https://nysd.uscourts.gov/about/employment
Announcement Number 26-33
Link to Job Announcement

Position Description

The Chief Deputy Clerk reports directly to the Clerk of Court and assumes the Clerk’s duties in the absence of the Clerk of Court. The Chief Deputy Clerk also plays a key leadership role in long-term strategic planning and organizational development, driving modernization efforts and helping the Clerk’s Office anticipate and respond to future challenges and opportunities. The primary office is in downtown Manhattan with routine work from the courthouse in White Plains. Periodic travel will be required. Responsibilities of the Chief Deputy Clerk may include but are not limited to:

Executive Leadership and Management

  • Develop, implement, and continually improve administrative and managerial techniques, systems, methods, programs, and procedures regarding the case processing and administrative services performed by the Clerk's Office and, with the assistance of the managerial staff and the subordinate supervisory staff, effectuate the policies and priorities of the office as established by the Clerk of Court.
  • Serve as an executive-level leader for new initiatives and court-wide modernization projects.
  • Serve in an advisory capacity to the Chief Judge and Clerk of Court concerning policy matters affecting Clerk’s Office operations and inform the Clerk of Court of the status of current operations and the effectiveness of present office practices, suggesting improvements where necessary.
  • Exercise direct supervision over the management personnel who head the organizational units within the Clerk's Office which may include, but are not limited to, Operations, Finance, Judicial Services, Information Technology, and Human Resources. Support the professional development of Clerk’s Office staff through coaching, mentoring, and training, while fostering a strong and positive workplace culture.
  • Oversee operational support provided to Judicial Officers and develop and maintain effective working relationships with judges, the Administrative Office, the Federal Judicial Center, other federal courts and court units, the bar and other stakeholders.
  • Work with the Clerk of Court and the Director of Financial Services to ensure the financial operation of the office.
  • With the Human Resources Managers, support staffing, recruitment, selection, training, promotion, discipline, evaluation, and compensation of Clerk’s Office employees.
  • Supervise the development and maintenance of guidelines by which the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, local rules, and ECF Rules & Instructions are applied in cases filed with the court, and maintain a working knowledge of statutes, procedural rules and regulations, and code of conduct governing Clerk’s Office and court operations.
  • Ensure the accuracy of information disseminated by the office; support the District’s public information officer; and assist the Clerk of Court as a representative of the court to other courts and judicial offices, federal agencies, lawyers, litigants, and the public at large.
  • Act for the Clerk of Court, in the Clerk’s absence or direction, and perform other delegated responsibilities as required.

Planning and Development

  • Develop and implement long-term strategic plans that support organizational improvement and modernization, and help the Clerk's Office anticipate and respond to future challenges and opportunities. Analyze trends and review statistical and performance data to identify organizational challenges and opportunities. Use data-driven insights to inform planning and decision-making.
  • Assist the Clerk of Court in establishing policy and create operating guidelines and procedures to implement existing policy.
  • Study issues relating to the quantity and quality of work and take or recommend necessary corrective and preventive actions.

Internal Controls, Risk Management, and Continuity of Operations Management

  • Assist the Clerk of Court with the process of identifying, monitoring and managing potential risks in order to eliminate or minimize any negative impact they may have on the court.
  • Participate in the development and maintenance of internal financial controls, including appropriate segregation of duties to prevent errors, detecting fraud, and supporting regular audits of Clerk's Office financial operations.
  • Oversee the management of the Clerk’s Office continuity of operations, and business continuity programs, in consultation with the District Executive’s Office and in coordination with other court units.
  • When necessary, provide coverage for essential functions after-hours and during periods of emergency and continuity of operations. Maintain essential services and security protocols across the court, ensuring adequate after-hours operational coverage and a coordinated response to emergencies.

Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Six years of progressively responsible administrative experience that provided a general understanding of management practices and administrative processes and required skill in dealing with others in person-to-person work relationships, and the ability to exercise mature judgment.
  • Candidates must demonstrate the degree of leadership and interpersonal skills necessary to successfully manage and motivate a diverse and complex organization; a performance history that demonstrates the ability to lead with vision, articulate priorities, and develop staff; skill in anticipating and overcoming operational and personnel conflicts to sustain a high level of organizational excellence; skill in process management and improvement; strong understanding and use of technology; the ability to understand technology changes and assimilate processes; the demonstrated ability to foster strong and effective interorganizational relationships; skill in managing a budget; and a proven history of mentoring teams to meet and exceed professional goals. Candidates must also demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, modernization, and the continuous improvement of organizational effectiveness.
  • Candidates must also possess the ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment, maintain court confidentiality and security requirements, and comply with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

General Experience

  • Knowledge of or the ability to learn court operations, functions, and organizational structure. Basic understanding of court documents. Ability to use the court’s electronic case filing system in order to obtain or research information needed to perform duties.
  • Knowledge and skill in the use of automated equipment including MS Outlook, Word and Excel applications. The applicant is expected to use multiple web-based applications and maintain judiciary privacy and security requirements.

Employee Benefits

  • Paid Annual & Sick Leave
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • Employer subsidized Health Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Supplemental Vision/Dental Insurance
  • Retirement Benefits Plan (FERS)
  • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Transit Subsidy Program (pursuant to eligibility requirements)
  • Pre-tax benefit programs
  • On-site fitness center
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
  • Mandatory enrollment in electronic funds transfer (EFT) for net pay

Miscellaneous

About the Court

The Southern District of New York administers and presides over some of the most complex and high-profile cases in the country with litigation of national and international significance. The District of New York held its first session on the first Tuesday of November 1789 at the Old Royal Exchange in lower Manhattan presided over by Judge James Duane, who was appointed by President Washington. It was the first court to sit under the new U.S. Constitution, preceding the U.S. Supreme Court by a few months. The District and its successor, the Southern District of New York, have sat continuously in New York, NY, since 1789.  The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York hears cases in Manhattan, White Plains, and Poughkeepsie, New York.

Additional Information

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted and interviewees must travel at their own expense; except that reimbursement for travel may be available during the final stages of the interview process. Reimbursement for relocation is not available.

The incumbent will report to downtown Manhattan and will routinely travel and work from the White Plains courthouse. Periodic travel will be required.

Employees of the U.S. Courts are excepted service appointments. Federal government civil service classifications or regulations do not apply. All offers of employment are provisional pending successful completion of a background check or investigation and a favorable employment suitability determination.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship 

In order to be compensated with appropriated funds for a position within the continental United States, applicants must be:

  1. U.S. citizen
  2. Lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) who is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B)

Note: Some noncitizen applicants who are permanent residents may not yet be eligible to apply for citizenship at the time they begin. Such individuals may still lawfully be employed if they provide an affidavit indicating that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.

Employees of the U.S. District Court are not included in the government’s Civil Service classification and are at-will employees.

All employees, interns and volunteers are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees available for public review on the U.S. Courts website.

The successful candidate for this position is subject to a background check. This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payment of net pay.

*All internal applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application. If confirmation is not received within two days after the vacancy closes, please contact Human Resources.

The Southern District of New York values diversity and is committed to inclusion in the workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and seek a diverse pool of applicants.

Application Info

To be considered, application packages must include:

  1. Cover letter of no more than three pages, wherein applicants describe (a) relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities, (b) experience in leadership, administration, and management, (c) experience in leading or contributing to strategic development or technology-driven change, and (d) the position for which the application is submitted, including the vacancy number.
  2. Resume outlining educational background, employment history, three professional references (one to two letters of recommendation preferred but not required) and other relevant information. Prior performance evaluation documents may be requested if applicant advances to final stages of consideration.
  3. A 500-word (or less) statement outlining your management philosophy.
  4. Completion of the online AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment, in full.

Only applications submitted via email will be accepted. Applications must be submitted in a single PDF document, and candidates must include the vacancy number and position title in the subject field of the email containing the application. Applications submitted as zip files, cloud files and/or links will not be accepted. Applications that do not conform to the above procedures will not be considered. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Please submit your application to: Careers@nysd.uscourts.gov.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.