About This Position
The Clerk's Office is seeking an individual looking for a challenging, interesting, and rewarding career in public service to serve as a Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Specialist. The CJA Specialist is responsible for reviewing and processing CJA vouchers, travel authorizations, and payments for appointments made by the Court.
Qualifications
The CJA Specialist must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and well organized. The CJA Specialist must also be able to multitask, possess integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate problem solving skills and judgment, and have a positive, professional customer-focused attitude. The CJA Specialist works in a fast-paced team environment and reports to the Attorney Advisor.
CL 25: Candidates must have at least two years of specialized experience for placement at salary levels above minimum. Some lifting may be required. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 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. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Familiarity with legal terminology and procedures as well as proficient computer skills, i.e., word processing, is preferred. Prior work experience in a municipal, county, state, or federal court is also preferred.
Additionally, a bachelor's degree and/or paralegal certificate from an accredited institution is preferred.
Major Duties
Create CJA vouchers when counsel is appointed by this Court to represent a party on appeal. Review, process and submit vouchers for payment of CJA attorneys and service providers, as well as attorneys appointed under Addendum Five to the Eleventh Circuit Rules. Audit forms (CJA 7, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 30, 31, and AUTHs, Government Travel Authorizations, and Addendum Five vouchers) for accuracy prior to submitting for payment approval to proper authorities.
Route CJA forms to appropriate destinations. Ensure vouchers are properly submitted, assuring that claims are accurate. Forward all vouchers, along with appropriate documentation, to the Court for approval.
Review and process applications for appointment under the CJA and Addendum Five to the Eleventh Circuit Rules and maintain roster of eligible counsel. Review claims to ensure accuracy and compliance with the requirements of the CJA, Guide to Judiciary Policy, Court rules, and other guidance provided by the Court or supervisory staff members. Verify dates, rates, and computations on all vouchers prior to submission to the Court for approval.
Return those vouchers containing errors, giving instructions for corrections or requesting additional information. Notify attorneys when specific claims are to be disallowed. Refer to docket sheets and case filings, whenever necessary.
Ensure all vouchers are processed in a timely manner. Prepare statistical reports for the benefit of the Court, the Clerk, and others, as required. Interact with, respond to questions from, and assist attorneys, service providers, members of the public, and court staff.
Process motions, requests, and Court orders for government travel authorizations for CJA counsel to attend oral arguments or confer with incarcerated clients. Perform filing, scanning, data entry, copying, mailing, and other administrative and clerical tasks. Receive, screen, and refer telephone calls and personal visitors.
Answer or refer routine inquiries and provide assistance to internal and external customers, maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive matters. Perform other functions within the Clerk's Office as assigned.
Conditions of Employment
Applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents actively seeking citizenship. The position of CJA Specialist is a sensitive position. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must successfully complete a background check. Employment will be considered provisional pending the successful completion of the background check and a favorable suitability determination.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Applicants will also be evaluated based on the application materials submitted.
Additional Information
The CJA Specialist is generally able to establish their own work schedule Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM. Depending upon the needs of the Court, the CJA Specialist may be assigned to a particular schedule and/or may be required to work outside of normal business hours. The position is subject to mandatory Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit) for salary payment.
Judicial Branch employees are "at will" employees and, as such, may be terminated with or without cause. It is the policy of the Court that all new personnel are hired for a twelve-month initial probationary period, at the end of which time their work and progress will be evaluated. All employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
Applicants will not be reimbursed for travel and relocation expenses. The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the job announcement, or to fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without any prior written or other notice. The Court provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. THE UNITED STATES COURTS ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
How to Apply
Qualified applicants interested in this position must submit a single PDF containing all of the following: Cover letter addressed to Cheryl Vessels, Assistant Circuit Executive for Human Resources; Resume and Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment (AO78) (Application form is available on http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/human-resources-forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment); Copies of last two performance evaluations or a statement that performance evaluations are unavailable; and Names and contact information for three professional references (please note that by submitting the references, the applicant consents to those references being contacted). Application packages must be emailed to [email protected] (please reference "CJA Specialist 26-1" in the subject line). PLEASE
NOTE: APPLICATIONS THAT ARE NOT SUBMITTED AS A SINGLE PDF OR ARE INCOMPLETE MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION. Preference given to applications received by March 10, 2026.
Required Documents
Cover letter addressed to Cheryl Vessels, Assistant Circuit Executive for Human Resources; Resume and Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment (AO78) (Application form is available on http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/human-resources-forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment); Copies of last two performance evaluations or a statement that performance evaluations are unavailable; and Names and contact information for three professional references (please note that by submitting the references, the applicant consents to those references being contacted). See 'How to Apply' for instructions.