United States Courts

Operations Supervisor

United States Courts$125K — $197K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 6+ years of substantial administrative and/or operational experience, with 3 years in a managerial role.
  • Strong leadership skills with a proven record in team development and motivation.
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, especially in advising senior leaders.
  • Experience in resolving personnel matters and responding to multiple senior leaders' needs.
  • Discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential information.
  • Proficiency in legal case management or workflow systems.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise multiple departments within the Clerk's Office including calendar and case materials units.
  • Oversee case flow and materials, analyzing system efficiency and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Ensure accuracy and quality of case-related data and refine recusal processes.
  • Develop and facilitate comprehensive training for staff on new programs and processes.
  • Manage staffing and workload, setting performance standards for team members.
  • Recommend plans and schedules, coordinating priorities with subordinates and other teams.
  • Compile and present statistical reports for various court stakeholders.

Benefits

  • 13 days of paid vacation for the first three years, increasing with tenure.
  • 13 sick days accrued annually, plus 11 paid holidays.
  • Employer-subsidized health and life insurance, with additional options available.
  • Employer-sponsored pension plan with matching contributions.
  • Telework and flexible work hours available, promoting a work-life balance.
Full Job Description
$125,768 to $197,200* (CL 30)
San Francisco, CA

The Clerk's Office of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is seeking a talented Operations Supervisor to join our team.

Representative Duties
  • This position is located within the Office of the Clerk in San Francisco and reports to the Chief Deputy. The Operations Supervisor will supervise multiple departments within the Clerk's Office, including the calendar and case materials units and the staff members who perform those functions.
  • Oversees the flow of cases and materials and the assignment of cases to oral argument calendars; regularly analyzes the efficiency and accuracy of systems and processes; identifies opportunities for improvement; and implements changes in consultation with the Clerk and Chief Deputy.
  • Ensures the quality of case-related data and refines processes to improve efficiency and accuracy of the recusal system and case materials.
  • Develops and facilitates training for existing, new, and changing programs, functions, goals, and processes. Studies quantity and quality of work and takes or recommends necessary corrective action.
  • Manages staffing, workload, and coverage of teams; sets performance standards; and leads professional training, development, and evaluation of staff.
  • Recommends short and long-range plans and schedules, sets priorities and deadlines, and coordinates these with subordinates and other teams.
  • Analyzes and interprets Administrative Office directives, court rules, and orders of the court affecting the work of the Clerk's Office.
  • Compiles and presents statistical information and reports for the court, the Administrative Office, chambers, and Clerk's Office leadership.
  • Maintains open communication and good working relationships with Judges' chambers.
  • A successful candidate will promote good working relationships and morale, setting a positive example for subordinates in working closely with judges, management, court personnel, other courts, and governmental agencies to improve the case flow process and overall operations of the court.

Required Qualifications

A minimum of six years of progressively responsible, successful, and substantive administrative and/or operational experience (three of which must be managerial) in public service, legal, or comparable professional fields. A successful candidate will also demonstrate:
  • A record of leading, motivating, and developing teams.
  • Being highly organized and detail oriented.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to advise senior leaders, brief complex matters, and respond promptly to inquiries from a wide range of audiences.
  • The ability to successfully resolve personnel matters.
  • Experience responding to the needs of multiple senior leaders within an organization and defining and streamlining operational processes in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
  • Sound judgment and unwavering discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
  • Proficiency with legal case management or workflow systems, including the ability to conduct training, define reports, and make recommendations regarding operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Knowledge of court appellate practice and procedure, or demonstrated ability to master a complex, rule-driven operating environment quickly.
  • Experience in a court, legal, agency adjudicatory body, or other high-volume case processing organization.
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Total Rewards and Work-Life Balance
  • Salary*: Depending on qualifications and experience, $125,768 to $197,200 (CL 30)
  • 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: Employer subsidized health and life insurance plans. Dental, vision, flexible spending account, and long-term care plans are available. Employer-sponsored pension plan and supplemental retirement contribution plans with employer match.
  • Other Perks: Telework opportunities, eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, mass transit subsidy, reasonable work hours, team environment, creative people, and enhanced vacation accrual-based tenure.

How to Apply

Please upload the following documents through the Career Portal by using the appropriate upload button:
• a cover letter directly responding to this vacancy announcement, and
• a current resume

Only applications with a cover letter, and resume will be considered.

Next Steps

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by September 14, 2026.

If selected for an interview, tentative interview dates include the week of September 15, 2026.

Video conference interviews available.

Conditions of Employment

U.S. citizen or a permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Direct deposit of pay is required. Provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the Court. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason, including, but not limited to, budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at United States Courts

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Operations Supervisor jobs: