Court Program Specialist I - Substitute Judicial Assistant (OPS)

Position description

The Ninth Circuit seeks an Court Program Specialist I – Substitute Judicial Assistant (OPS) to provide administrative, secretarial and clerical support to judicial offices when a sitting Judicial Assistant is away. The selected candidate will report directly to the Civil Case Management Coordinator and will support Judges across divisions with assignments of varying duration. The position is responsible to compose, edit and distribute court related correspondence, court orders, pleadings, memoranda, reports, e-mails, and other documents while observing strict confidentiality; screens telephone calls and visitors to the judge’s office, provides information, resolves issues, directs caller/visitor to the proper personnel or agency, or takes messages; schedules trials, maintains trial dockets, and prepares trial orders as needed; enters data into an automated calendaring system. Must have excellent organizational and computer skills and the ability to work independently. Must be able to quickly become proficient with a variety of computer programs, including the court calendaring program, case management system and e-filing system. The ideal candidate will have the capability to interact professionally and maintain effective working relationships as well as communicate clearly both orally and in writing using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. A working knowledge of the trial courts and the applicable rules and procedures of court is helpful. The position involves minimal travel to outlying courthouses within Orange County. Reliable transportation is required. 

A bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or closely related field is preferred. Relevant professional administrative or analytical experience may substitute for recommended education level on a year-for-year basis. The ideal candidate will also have a working knowledge of the criminal justice system as well as a general knowledge of mental health and substance abuse. Must be proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Adobe. 

State Funded. OPS (Other Personnel Services), $20.38/hr. OPS/Variable hour employees may be eligible for insurance coverage. No holiday pay, sick or vacation time accrued. Up to 40 hours per week except for holiday weeks. This is a temporary, non permanent position with an anticipated term from May 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.