The United States District Court for the Central District of California is seeking qualified applicants to fill the Chief Deputy of Operations position that will become available on December 1, 2026. The Central District is the nation's largest federal trial court, serving seven counties and a population of nearly 20 million people. The Central District has four courthouses located in three divisions: two courthouses in Los Angeles; one in Santa Ana; and one in Riverside. The Court has 28 authorized District Judgeships, 11 Senior Judges, and 24 authorized Magistrate Judgeships. The Clerk's Office is responsible for providing clerical and administrative support to all areas of the federal judicial administrative process. The Chief Deputy of Operations provides services to the Bar, public and the Court.
The Chief Deputy of Operations is a member of the senior management team reporting directly to the District Court Executive/Clerk of Court. The Chief Deputy advises the District Court Executive/Clerk of Court on policy matters; is responsible for day to day management of the Court's operational functions, establishes and maintains relationships with other court units and governmental agencies; develops organizational goals and objectives, priorities, and deadlines; and with the assistance of fellow senior management and/or subordinate supervisory staff, effectuates the policies and priorities of the office as established by the Court and the Clerk; evaluates performance; establishes standards; and makes recommendations for improvement to existing policies and procedures. The Chief Deputy of Operations also serves as one of the Court's Certifying Officers.
The Chief Deputy provides oversight of Operations managers and supervisors and over 130 staff serving the following areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program; appeals; attorney admissions; civil/criminal intake; Criminal Justice Act (CJA); Case Management/Electronic Case Files administration; district and magistrate judge courtroom deputy clerks; docketing; jury; naturalization ceremonies; records; and statistics. The deputies in charge of the Eastern and Southern Divisions also report directly to the Chief Deputy and the Chief Deputy is responsible for ensuring consistent operations among all divisions of the Court.
The Chief Deputy supports several Court Committees, including providing primary staff support to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Case Management and Assignment Committee, Court Services Committee, CJA Committee, Magistrate Judges Committee, Pro Bono/Pro Se Committee, and Rules Committee. The Chief Deputy makes oral presentations and prepares comprehensive memoranda, reports, correspondence, and other written communications. Limited travel will also be required. Duties may require working during non-business hours.
Representative Responsibilities:
The Chief Deputy's responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Regularly communicate with the Clerk and fellow senior managers regarding operations matters, keeping the Clerk informed of all important matters from day-to-day operations;
- Manage all direct reports, including Operations managers and supervisors and line staff and engage in supportive performance management;
- Supervise statistical analysts and regular reporting of statistical data to the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, ensuring the Court abides by all statistical reporting obligations and coordinate preparation of statistical reporting to internal stakeholders as needed;
- Provide all necessary staff support to assigned Court Committees, including overseeing preparation of meeting minutes, agendas, and research memoranda, drafting General Orders and Local Rules, regularly communicating with Committee Chairs, and conducting training and writing procedures to ensure the Clerk's Office correctly implements the policies of the Court;
- Manage jury operations district-wide, ensuring the jury staff abide by the Court's Jury Plan and prepare responses to discovery requests regarding jury challenges;
- Assist in hiring, assigning, and disciplining personnel, ensuring the Operations departments comply with the Ninth Circuit's Employment Dispute Resolution Policy and provide a professional, collegial, and supportive work environment;
- Oversee ADR Program and Pro Bono Program; support work of the Court's ADR Committee and Pro Bono/Pro Se Committee;
- Manage CJA department, including timely processing of vouchers and authorizations, and support the work of the CJA Committee;
- Manage case processing departments, monitoring timeliness of processing, ensuring orders and filings are processed consistently with the policies and procedures of the Clerk's Office, and helping to resolve questions when orders or filings present ambiguities;
- Manage courtroom deputy clerks assigned to district judges and magistrate judges, ensuring training and performance expectations are provided and enforced consistently;
- Actively engage in problem solving and evaluating processes to ensure they are necessary, streamlined, and efficient;
- Assist in conflict resolution between and among all stakeholders;
- Oversee the interactions among all Operations departments to ensure seamless transition of workflows and timely delivery of work product;
- Ensure operations among all divisions of the Court are consistent and expectations of work product and performance management of staff are consistent;
- Timely respond to inquiries from stakeholders with well-researched answers; and
- Conduct regular meetings of all Operations managers and supervisors and participate in bi-monthly meetings of the senior management team.
Skills/Qualifications:
The successful applicant will possess:- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative, supervisory, and managerial work experience;
- Vision, integrity and a desire to achieve and maintain a high degree of professional excellence;
- Excellent oral, written communication and interpersonal skills;
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills;
- Good leadership and management qualities;
- A proven ability to lead by example and exercise mature judgement;
- Managerial experience in a court environment and experience with the federal courts' CM/ECF system are desirable;
- Experience in two or more of the departments to be supervised is also desirable.
- The ability to read, interpret, and apply the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure.
Educational Requirements:
Although not required, a bachelor's degree in public administration, business, or court administration from an accredited college or university is preferred; a graduate degree in a similar field of study or a law degree is highly desirable.
Benefits:
- United States District Court employees are entitled to federal benefits such as: a defined benefit pension plan; a retirement savings plan including generous matching contributions; paid vacation and sick leave; eleven paid holidays per year; and choosing from an array of insurance plans including health, life, dental, vision, long term disability, long term care, and flexible spending programs;
- Bi-weekly earnings by direct deposit;
- Commuter subsidies are available to employees that utilize public transportation to and from work;
- Extensive on-line training options. Travel reimbursement for in-person training and professional conferences are available, funds permitting;
- Federal court employees can join the Federal Court Clerks Association, a national, professional court organization founded in 1922.
Employer Provided Benefits - Total Compensation Approximation Sample (For Illustration Purposes Only) Sample Annual Salary $ 180,000.00
Retirement Benefits $ 53,280.00
Health/Life Insurance & Commuter Reimbursement $ 46,482.00
Paid Time-Off (Holidays & Accrued Leave)
$ 25,614.00
Total Compensation $ 305,376.00Information for Applicants:
- The successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States currently seeking citizenship or intending to become a citizen immediately after meeting the eligibility requirements.
- The final candidate will be subject to an FBI fingerprint background check; with periodic reinvestigation, as applicable. Employment is considered provisional until the successful completion of the background investigation.
- Expenses associated with interviews or relocation will not be reimbursed.
- Starting salary will be determined based on the selected applicant's relevant qualifications and experience, subject to the court's salary approval and available funding. The posted salary range represents the full range for this classification.
- The United States District Court requires employees to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Federal Judicial Employees, which is available on the Court's website: www.cacd.uscourts.gov .
- This position is subject to mandatory electronic fund transfer (direct deposit) participation for payment of net pay.
APPLICATION PROCESS - To be assured priority consideration, submit a completed application packet by November 6, 2026 to Apply_CACD@cacd.uscourts.gov. Attached documents must be in PDF format and the email should reference the position title and Vacancy No. 27-1. Complete application packets must include the following:
- a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, qualifications, and skills, and explaining your interest in the position.
- a resume that includes three professional references.
- a narrative statement (see below).
- an application for Federal Branch Employment (visit the court's website at www.cacd.uscourts.gov to download the job application).
Due to the volume of applications received, the Court will communicate only with those individuals who will be interviewed. Applicants scheduled for interviews should advise the Human Resources staff if any accommodation will be necessary to interview.
The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. - Applicants must submit a narrative statement addressing each factor listed below or the application will be rejected . Each factor should be addressed separately and include a description of the demonstrated experience that is directly related to the duties, responsibilities, and supplemental factors for this position.
- Describe your abilities and work experiences exemplifying your oral and written skills.
- Describe your work-related or life experiences in managing multiple priorities and a high volume of work.
