The clerk of court is the most senior non-judicial officer of the court, who supports the judges of the district by overseeing and leading the court's extensive administrative and operational functions.
Minimum Qualifications: To be qualified for appointment as clerk of court, a candidate must have a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in public service or private sector that provides the candidate with a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural and human aspects of managing an organization. At least three of the ten years must have been in a position that required substantial management responsibility. The candidate should have demonstrated skill in leading, motivating and overseeing a diverse workforce. The candidate should have a proactive, positive approach to managing change and a creative, innovative approach to planning and problem-solving in an institutional setting. The active practice of law in either the public or private sector in a position that had administrative, or management responsibilities may substitute for the management experience required on a year-for-year basis. Minimum education is a B.A. or B.S. The District Clerks Manual §1.01 Statute Establishing the Office of the Clerk requires the clerk to live within the judicial district in which the clerk is employed. Required Experience: The candidate must be experienced in managing multiple complex tasks with competing deadlines and must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a wide range of persons. The candidate must be fluent in the use of technology, including mastery of Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
The clerk assists in resolving complex and sensitive issues having a significant impact on the day-to-day functioning of the court. The clerk reports directly to the Chief United States District Judge, and communicates regularly with the district and magistrate judges and clerk's office staff; the General Services Administration; other court executive units; federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; the District's United States Attorney and Federal Defender; the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; the Office of the Circuit Executive for the Seventh Circuit; the Federal Judicial Center; bar associations; and the media. Occasional travel and public speaking may be required. The clerk is also responsible for: Directing staff responsible for the processing of civil and criminal cases, the issuance of process, and the maintenance of official records in the custody of the court; Assisting judges in supervising pro se staff attorneys, who are responsible for managing litigation filed by incarcerated persons; Overseeing the management of the jury operations of the court and making recommendations as required to improve juror utilization; Overseeing the preparation of an annual budget and submitting the annual budget to the chief judge for approval; managing and monitoring the budget throughout the fiscal year; Managing staff responsible for human resources and overseeing the hiring, assigning, managing, and disciplining of personnel; designing and managing training programs; serving as EEO officer for the court; Directing staff responsible for the court's financial functions, including purchasing, juror payments, and accounting; Directing staff responsible for space and facilities management and planning, including representing the court's interests in court renovation and construction projects; Managing staff responsible for information technology services, statistical analysis and reporting requirements, inventory control, space planning, and facilities maintenance; Supervising the preparation of special studies requested by the court and preparing statistical and narrative reports; Overseeing public ceremonies and educational events, such as investitures, naturalizations, and retreats; and Working with members of the bar, the public, and government agencies on a variety of issues related to the delivery of court services.