What are the responsibilities and job description for the Judicial Assistant position at United States District Court and Careers?
Salary
$56,409.00 - $108,533.00 Annually
Location
219 S. Dearborn Street Chicago
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
2026-23
Department
Judicial Support
Opening Date
03/13/2026
Position Overview, Position Duties and Responsibilities
Date: March 13, 2026
Job Announcement No.:2026-23
No. of Vacancies:One
Position Title: Judicial Assistant
Grade Range: JSP 07/01 to JSP 11/10
Salary Range: $56,409- $108,533
Closing Date: March 27, 2026
The United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois is now accepting applications for a Judicial Assistant. Consideration will only be given to those who apply through the Court's online applicant tracking system, submit a cover letter, resume, and two professional references. To apply, please see “Notice to Applicants” listed below.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is recruiting for the position of Judicial Assistant to the Hon. Elaine E. Bucklo. The incumbent will serve as an assistant to the Judge assuming full responsibility for management and administration of the Chambers.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performing a wide variety of administrative functions in support of chambers, including receiving telephone calls and visitors, coordinating staff responsibilities, and making arrangements for official travel.
- Acting as liaison between chambers and other court offices.
- Resolving questions that require full knowledge of the business of the court.
- The ability to exercise independent judgement, good communication skills, and excellent grammar, punctuation and spelling.
- Experience with CMECF (PACER) is preferred.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements and Qualifications
General Experience
Progressively responsible general clerical or administrative experience which provided a good knowledge of office clerical practices such as filing, telephone usage, and typing.
Specialized Experience
Progressively responsible secretarial experience that involved responsibility as the principal office assistant to a supervisor who was dealing with law-related matters (such as might be found in a law, insurance or real estate office).
Compensation will be based on qualifications and the experience level of the successful candidate:
Educational Substitutions
Education in a college, university or secretarial school of recognized standing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of general experience on the basis of 30 semester (45 quarter) hours equals nine months of experience.
A bachelor's degree from a college or university of recognized standing may be substituted for two years of general experience. Preferably, such degree should have included courses in law, government, public or business administration or related fields.
Education in a legal or paralegal curriculum may be substituted for amaximum of two years of specialized experience on the basis of one full academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) equals one year of experience. Less than one full year of study will be credited on a pro-rata basis.
Notice to Applicants
Consideration will only be given to those who apply through the court’s online applicant tracking system and provide a cover letter and resume by March 27, 2026. To view openings and to apply, visit our applicant tracking system at: ILND Jobs
Due to the volume of applications received, the Court will only communicate with those applicants who will be interviewed. Applicants selected for interviews will be communicated to only through email and must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Applicants will be screened to determine their experience and qualifications.
The United States District Court requires employees to follow the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Reference checks with current and former employers will be conducted. Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. A preliminary background investigation with law enforcement agencies, including fingerprint and criminal record checks will be conducted as a condition of employment. Unsatisfactory results may result in termination of employment. The selected candidate will be subject to an FBI fingerprint check as a condition of employment and may be subject to periodic updates.
Direct deposit is required for payment of compensation for employees. Employees of the District Court, Northern District of Illinois are excepted service appointments. Employees are considered at-will and are not covered by federal civil service classifications or regulations.
The United States District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Diversity is important to the Judiciary. It is an essential component of services that the Judiciary is charged with providing to maintain justice, equality, fairness, respect, and dignity in society. To fulfill its duties, the Judiciary must include all members of society—not just regardless, but also inclusive of race, gender, disability, and the many other variables that make up the citizens of our nation. The Judiciary has a duty to promote a fair, just, and sustainable model of inclusive democracy and social justice that surpasses any governmental entity in the history of this nation or of any other nation.
In order to be eligible for employment, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- U.S. citizen;
- Person who owes allegiance to the U.S. (i.e., nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island and the Northern Mariana Islands);
- Person admitted as a refugee or granted asylum who has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or
-
Lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) who is seeking citizenship. A lawful permanent resident "seeking citizenship":
- May not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen);
- Must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible; and
- Must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application).
The Courts reserve the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
The Northern District of Illinois is home to the five largest cities in Illinois: Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, and Naperville. Also known as “The Windy City,” Chicago is the third most populous city in the U.S. with over 2.7 million inhabitants and nearly 10 million people living in the Chicago metropolitan area. With Lake Michigan as its eastern border, Chicago covers more than 237 square miles.
Chicago is home to numerous museums and cultural institutions including Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. A center of art and culture, Chicago has over 200 theaters, nearly 200 art galleries, and more than 7,300 restaurants.
Known for its magnificent skyline, Chicago is home to buildings designed by some of the world’s most renowned architects including Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mies van der Rohe, who designed the Dirksen Courthouse.
Major Chicago universities include University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Loyola University, University of Illinois Chicago, DePaul University and Illinois Institute of Technology. Professional Chicago sports teams include the Bulls (NBA), Sky (WNBA), Bears (NFL), Cubs (MLB), White Sox (MLB), Fire (MLS), Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), and Red Stars (NWSL). Chicago is a major world finance center. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange are within blocks of the Courthouse. The Northern District of Illinois is home to three international airports including O’Hare International Airport, among the busiest airports in the world.
The United States District Court offers a generous benefits package to full-time, permanent employees, which includes:
- Paid leave time for federal holidays, vacation, sick, and Parental Leave
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- Access to an infant and toddler care near the Courthouse.
- The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is available to full-time employees with qualifying student loans.
- Life insurance
- Thrift Savings Plan with matching funds (401k & Roth 401k style)
- Participation in Federal Employees Retirement System
- Health, dependent care, and parking reimbursement programs
- Public Transit Subsidy Program
- Onsite employee gym
- Employee Assistance Program, which provides free counseling, financial assistance, and basic legal services
Further details regarding Federal benefits may be viewed at: ILND Benefits.
Salary : $56,409 - $108,533