Courtroom Manager

Summary

Currently, we are seeking applicants for a full-time Courtroom Manager position.

Duties

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The Courtroom Manager (CRM) is responsible for managing cases for district and magistrate judges and providing a full range of courtroom services to ensure timely and efficient courtroom proceedings for litigants. The courtroom manager provides administrative support in and out of the courtroom. This position requires accuracy, diplomacy, and sensitivity in dealing with judges, attorneys, members of other government agencies, the public, and members of the U.S. District Court's Clerk's Office, Chambers and Probation & Pretrial Services. A successful courtroom manager works with meticulous attention to detail, creates systems to organize and prioritize tasks, and communicates calmly and with confidence. Candidates must also be mature, responsible, tactful, and be able to work harmoniously with others in a fast-paced and team-oriented work environment. The position requires a professional, cooperative, and congenial demeanor in all instances and strong administrative, organizational, analytical, and writing ability.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

Courtroom Managers are responsible for managing judges' cases by:

• Case management, which includes scheduling hearings on various motions, pretrial hearings, bond hearings, trials and conferences, and monitoring civil cases assigned until conclusion;
• Coordinating the in-courtroom presence of parties, attorneys, jurors, other court staff, and members of other court-related agencies;
• Attending court sessions and conferences. Facilitates the orderly flow of proceedings including, but not limited to, preparing the courtroom, electronically recording in-court proceedings, assuring the presence of all necessary participants, and managing witnesses and exhibits. Takes notes of proceedings and rulings and prepares and dockets minute entries and other documents in the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system;
• Responds to a high volume and variety of inquiries; works effectively in a fast-paced atmosphere dealing with numerous and diverse legal issues;
• Prepares, completes, and transmits dockets related to traffic and petty offense cases;
• Drafting orders and judgments for the judge's approval. Docketing orders, pleadings and judgments pursuant to local court rules and policies, utilizing applicable automated systems;
• Informing the jury team of upcoming jury trials. Assisting the judge and parties in jury selection and maintaining records of jury selection and attendance. Maintaining contact with counsel during deliberations;
• Acting as liaison between the Clerk's Office, the bar, the public, and the judge to ensure that cases proceed efficiently; serves as a primary source of information on scheduling conferences, hearings, trials, and other case processes;
• Performing other related duties or special projects, as assigned. Duties may require working during non-business hours. This position may involve neighbor island or out-of-district travel.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States.
• The selected candidates will be provisionally hired subject to successful completion of a background investigation by law enforcement agencies, which includes an FBI fingerprint check.

Qualifications

SALARY AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Starting salary will be commensurate with education, qualifications, and experience. This position is graded under the Court Personnel System. At the CL-26 level, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience, while at the CL-27 level, applicants must have a minimum of two years of specialized experience.

Specialized experience is progressively responsible work experience such as that obtained in a court, legal or related field which demonstrates the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives or laws. Such experience should have allowed for the development of the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and involved the routine use of automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry, or report generation.

Preferred Qualifications: Preference will be given to individuals with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Federal court calendaring, docketing, and courtroom management experience, knowledge of federal rules and procedures, and experience with electronic case management and filing (CM/ECF) are all highly desired. Paralegal experience or a J.D. would be helpful and welcomed.

Candidates must also demonstrate: Experience in dealing with complex assignments; strong attention to detail and organization skills; ability to multitask and successfully manage multiple priorities to completion; a demonstrated ability to think through, analyze, and interpret written communications; ability to prioritize tasks, work under time pressure and meet deadlines; superior oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; ability to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements; a professional demeanor and appearance appropriate for a court environment. Candidates must also be responsible, tactful, capable of exercising sound judgment and able to work harmoniously with others in a fast-paced team-oriented work environment. Candidates must also have strong attention to detail and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multi-task and successfully manage multiple priorities to completion. The ability to maintain strict confidentiality and work under tight deadlines is essential.

Education

At a minimum, candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent; however, a bachelor's degree is preferred.

Additional information

• Salary: Depending on qualifications and experience, CL 26-27, Steps 1-61; Salary Range: $61,668 - $110,128.
• Salary range noted above based on 2026 pay tables and includes an 8.64% non-taxable Hawaii Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which is subject to change annually.
• All application information is subject to verification.
• Court employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
• This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payroll direct deposit.
• The District of Hawaii, U.S. District Court reserves the right to modify or withdraw this vacancy announcement, to fill the position any time before the closing date, or to fill more than one position from this vacancy, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice.
• If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the Court Unit Executive may choose to select a candidate from the original qualified applicant pool.

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.

Benefits

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• Time off: 13 days of paid vacation the first three years, increasing with tenure thereafter, 13 sick days accrued per year, 14 paid holidays (including both federal and local holidays).
• Federal Pension and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).
• Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and 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 (PSLF), public transit subsidy, reasonable work hours, potential for occasional telework, onsite cafeteria and gym.

See the United States Courts website for an overview of Federal Judiciary benefits.