Summary
This position will provide legal advice and assistance to the court in connection with prisoner petitions and complaints.Pro se law clerk positions are subject to available funding, dependent upon annual court filings.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

• Performs substantive screening after filing of all prisoner and inmate petitions and motions, including state habeas corpus petitions, motions to vacate sentence, and civil rights complaints. Drafts appropriate recommendations and orders for the court's signature.
• Reviews all complaints, petitions, and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief.
• Performs research, as required, to assist the court in preparing opinions.
• Maintains liaison between the court and litigants. Corresponds with other officials, such as U.S. Attorney, as required.
• Evaluates present procedures to determine new innovations for increasing the effectiveness in handling complaints, petitions, and pleadings.
• Reviews the docket of pending prisoner and inmate litigation to assure the proper progress of such cases and advises the court of those cases where action by the court is appropriate.
• Compiles statistics and prepares periodic reports, as required, that reflect the status and flow of cases. Identifies problem areas, makes recommendations, and offers solutions, as required by the court, Administrative Office, and other officials.
• Keeps abreast of changes in the law to aid the court in adjusting to new legislation in the pro se area.
• Provides information, guidance, and advice to judges and other personnel working in the pro se area. Advises appropriate personnel on the status of particular cases.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship required or lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship.
• Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit is required.
• The selected candidate will be subject to a background check that includes an FBI fingerprint check as a condition of employment.
• Veterans' preference is not a factor used in Judicial Branch appointments.
• Employees of the U.S. District Court are "At Will" employees and are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct of Judicial Employees, which is available to candidates for review on our website at https://www.wvnd.uscourts.gov/.
• Position may require travel.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position of pro se law clerk, an individual must be a law school graduate (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree) from a law school of recognized standing, and have demonstrated one of the following accomplishments or proficiencies:

• Standing within the upper third of the law school class from a law school on the approved list of either the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools;
• Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such a school;
• Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or
• Proficiency in legal studies that, in the opinion of the appointing judge, is the equivalent of one of the above. Some examples of criteria that are considered to be acceptable as equivalent include, but are not limited to:
  
  • Publication of a noteworthy article in a law school student publication or other scholarly publication;
  • Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
  • Winning of a moot court competition or membership on a moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
  • Participation in the legal aid or other law school clinical program sanctioned by the law school; or
  • Summer experience as a law clerk to a state or local judge or law clerk experience on a continuing basis in a private firm while attending school (i.e., working one's way through college).

This list is not all-inclusive; the determination of an acceptable equivalence rests with the appointing judge.
Successful candidate must have the ability to analyze complex legal issues and understand a wide range of legal concepts, principles, and practices as they relate to pro se litigation. Applicant must have excellent writing skills and perform legal research accurately and expeditiously; communicate complex issues in simple terms; set priorities; and manage work with limited supervision.In addition, applicant must be a self-starter and detail oriented, possess excellent interpersonal skills, have strong organizational skills, and be able to function independently as well as in a team environment.Applicant must be computer literate, proficient in Microsoft Word, and proficient in computer assisted research.
Preferred Qualifications:

• Federal court experience.
• Bar membership.
• Legal experience and legal research experience in the criminal law field.

Education
Juris Doctor Degree.
Additional information
U.S. District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• Benefits
  Review our benefits

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Please read the "Next steps" section.

• Benefits
  Review our benefits
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  Please read the "How to Apply" section.
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  Application Procedure:
  Qualified applicants must submit one PDF file with a completed Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO 78), a cover letter and a resume and professional references. One PDF file should be sent to kelly_fry@wvnd.uscourts.gov
  Agency contact information
  Kelly Fry
  Email
  kelly_fry@wvnd.uscourts.gov
  Address
  US District Court, Northern District of West VA
  1125 Chapline Street
  P.O. Box 471
  Wheeling, WV 26003
  US
  Next steps
  Only the most qualified individuals will be invited for a personal interview.
• Fair and Transparent
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents
Please read the "How to Apply" section.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Application Procedure:
Qualified applicants must submit one PDF file with a completed Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO 78), a cover letter and a resume and professional references. One PDF file should be sent to kelly_fry@wvnd.uscourts.gov
Agency contact information
Kelly Fry
Email
kelly_fry@wvnd.uscourts.gov
Address
US District Court, Northern District of West VA
1125 Chapline Street
P.O. Box 471
Wheeling, WV 26003
US
Next steps
Only the most qualified individuals will be invited for a personal interview.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request