Salary
$49,477.00 - $80,412.00 Annually
Location
219 S. Dearborn Street Chicago, IL
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
2026-6
Department
Operations
Opening Date
12/08/2025
Position Overview, Position Duties and Responsibilities
Date: December 8, 2025
Job Announcement No.: 2026-6
No. of Vacancies: Up to three
Position Title: Operations Specialist
Grade Range: CL 24-01 to CL 24-61
Promotional Potential CL26
Salary Range: $49,477 - $80,412
Salary Potential: $97,796
Closing Date: December 22, 2025
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is now accepting applications for three Operations Specialists at the entry level with promotional potential upon successful training up to the target grade. Consideration will only be given to those who apply through the Court’s online applicant tracking system and submit a cover letter, resume, and two professional references. To apply, please see the “Notice to Applicants” section listed below.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is currently accepting applications for three Operations Specialist at the entry level (CL-24) with potential growth to the target grade (CL-26). This position offers the potential to advance within the Clerk’s Office. An entry level Operations Specialist performs a wide range of duties including receiving payments, assigning cases, and screening mail. Once trained at the entry level, an Operations Specialist advances to the docketing and auditing of case filings. Once fully trained in docketing and auditing, an Operations Specialist can apply to learn how to work as a courtroom deputy, supporting judges by attending court proceedings, recording pertinent results for minutes, and managing case documents. Advancement is based on an employee’s initiative and mastery of the required skills, and spending at least one year at the grade that the employee was hired into. This position offers excellent opportunities for advancement, career growth, and work-life balance.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
At the CL-24 level
- Receives payments and balances monies collected from customers in the form of cash/checks for bonds, fines, and fees; deposits funds collected pursuant to the Court’s policy and procedures.
- Issues invoices based on services requested.
- Reconciles and deposits money received by the Court. Complies with internal controls.
- Works in mailroom picking up, sorting, delivering, and metering mail.
- Verifies that attorneys are admitted to practice before the court; provides files or copies of documents upon request.
- Assigns new civil and criminal cases.
- Processes indictments, prisoner correspondence, and requests for certified copies; assigns case numbers and judges; responds to attorney certificate requests, scans documents to be placed on the record.
- Monitors and processes requests from a variety of email inboxes.
- Dockets entries in the Court’s Case Management/Electronic Case Files system (CM/ECF), and reviews electronic entries for accuracy and necessary follow up.
At the CL-25 level
- Prepares and issues summons/writs, notices, judgments and orders; makes summary entries of pleadings, petitions, motions, complaints, minute orders, and proceedings in CM/ECF.
- Answers inquiries about the status of cases; assists the public by answering case-related inquiries and provides electronic filing assistance in a customer-friendly manner.
- Enters documents on the record, and audits documents placed by others (attorneys and court staff) on the record to ensure that they conform with court guidelines and requirements. Ensures that all filings and motions conform to federal and local rules of practice; files documents; scans documents; opens cases upon receipt of initiating documents, such as complaints, indictments, or petitions.
- Closes cases upon receipt of terminating documents, such as judgments and closing orders.
- Audits electronic filings and provides feedback to customers; audits internal documents and ensures necessary follow-up; and assigns judges to cases.
- Processes sealed materials and sealed access as required.
At the CL-26 level
- Assists with the orderly flow of court proceedings including, but not limited to, setting up the courtroom, ensuring the presence of all necessary participants, managing the exhibits and taking notes of proceedings, rulings, and preparing minute entries.
- Maintains the control of cases assigned to the judge.
- Examines all papers filed in an action assigned to the judge to determine whether they conform to the rules of practice.
- Calendars and regulates the movement of cases by fixing (or by resetting, when necessary) dates and times for hearings on motions, pretrial hearings and trials, notifies counsel accordingly, and follows the cases through conclusion.
- Performs courtroom functions required by a judicial officer.
- Confers with attorneys, acting as liaison between the judge and counsel.
- Provides information to attorneys on the special procedures of the judge, answers procedural questions, and assists with compliance. Maintains contact with attorneys regarding the status of cases.
- Processes criminal and civil legal documents, both sealed and unsealed, and makes summary entries of pleadings, petitions, motions, complaints, orders, and proceedings on the docket.
At all levels
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements and Qualifications
The candidate must have strong customer service skills to succeed in this position. A successful candidate must have the ability to provide clear and detailed oral and written instructions, strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize work, proper grammar usage, and the ability to edit efficiently. The candidate must have the ability to pay attention to detail, as it is an essential skill in the position. The ability to successfully use automated computer systems, such as Word, Outlook, CM/ECF, PACER, and other data entry systems is required. The successful candidate must be able to display professional and positive demeanor and appearance appropriate for a court environment (business/office wear-professional). Candidates must have one year of experience at the lower classification level to qualify for the next higher classification. A general knowledge and understanding of the rules and procedures of courtroom operations, legal terminology, and how other processes of the Clerk’s Office relate to the work is desired but not required. Although a candidate with a bachelor’s degree is preferred, all candidates are required to have an associate degree. A paralegal degree and/or paralegal experience is also a preference for the position.
The selected candidate will be subject to an FBI fingerprint check as a condition of employment and may be subject to periodic updates.
Compensation
Compensation and classification level will be set based on the work experience, qualifications, and salary history of the successful candidate. To qualify at a CL 24, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to work at the CL 23. To qualify at a CL 25, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to work at the CL 24. To qualify at a CL 26, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to work at CL 25.
Specialized experience is:
Progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation. Such experience is commonly encountered in law firms, legal counsel offices, banking and credit firms, educational institutions, social service organizations, insurance companies, real estate and title offices, and corporate headquarters or human resources/payroll operations.
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, resume, and two professional references by December 22, 2025. 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 check 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.
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.
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 Court reserves 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 nearly 2.7 million inhabitants and approximately 8 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:
11 Paid Federal Holidays
13 Days Paid Vacation (per year for the first three years)
20 Days Paid Vacation (after three years)
26 Days Paid Vacation (after fifteen years)
13 Days Paid Sick Leave
Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage
Life Insurance
Thrift Savings Plan with matching funds (401k & Roth 401k style)
Participation in Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS-FRAE)
Health, Dependent, & Parking Reimbursement Programs
Public Transit Subsidy Program
Employee Assistance Program, which provides free counseling, financial assistance, and basic legal services to all eligible employees.
Access to an Infant Care and Toddler Care Center (onsite and near the building), and a Fitness Center (onsite)
A Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is available to certain full-time employees with qualifying student loans.
Further details regarding Federal benefits may be viewed at: ILND Benefits
