Intake​/Docket Clerk

Overview of the Position Whether launching or continuing a career in public service, the U.S. District Court is a great place to work with competitive salaries and benefits, a work schedule that promotes a work-life balance, and the opportunity to work with colleagues committed to fulfilling the important mission of administering justice in an efficient and effective manner. This position offers an excellent opportunity to advance a career in Federal court service.

Priority consideration to applicants who apply by Jan 16, 2026.

The Intake/Docket Clerk plays a crucial role in the court's operations by seamlessly combining customer service and case management responsibilities. This position is responsible for processing court documents filed either in-person or electronically and ensures the accurate handling and progression of cases through the legal system.

Key Responsibilities

Intake Duties:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, assisting them at the front desk, over the phone, and via email.
• Manage the assignment of judges to new attorney case openings, reassign cases, refer cases, and assign judges for newly filed criminal proceedings.
• Act as the main cashier for the office, processing payments and handling financial transactions.
• Become familiar with district-wide contacts as coordinator for call distribution inquiries

Docketing Duties:

• Docket, maintain, and process case information, ensuring that case progression is managed accurately and efficiently in accordance with internal controls and procedures.
• Notice, monitor, and manage the progression of cases to final disposition.
• Maintain official case records and review filed documents for conformity, taking appropriate action as necessary.
• Ensure that all orders and automated entries are accurately docketed.
• Make summary entries on the docket for all documents and proceedings.

Additional Duties for the Intake/Docket Clerk include the following:

• Make summary entries of documents and proceedings. Receive and docket terminating document. Perform quality control on chambers and attorney-docketed entries. Prepare and distribute clerk's notices and deficiency notices. Set schedules for briefing and record preparation.
• Accept, review and process documents. Review filed documents to determine conformity and take appropriate action and follow up with rules, practices and filing requirements. Prepare correspondence regarding file inquires, docket sheets, and other file request information. Check for prior or prohibited filing. Monitor for release of exhibits and sealed documents. Verify and issue summons.
• Process notices of appeal payments and distribute appeal-related documents to docket clerks.
• Receive incoming mail packages over the counter.
  
  Record and manage log for outgoing mail packages.
  
  When available, collect and distribute packing slips for procurement.
• Perform criminal and civil docketing making summary entries on all documents and proceedings.
• Provide information to public, bar, and the court.
• Transmit records to appropriate court. Ensure event codes are entered accurately.
• Operate a variety of copying and records equipment. Answer and route incoming calls.
• Provides case opening, cashiering, and other assistance as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The successful applicant must have two years specialized experience, including at least one year specialized experience at or equivalent to CL 24. For placement at salary levels above minimum up to and including step 25, (considering court-preferred skills and an evaluation of quality of experience), the successful applicant must have at least two years specialized experience equivalent to work at CL 24.

Specialized experience is progressively responsible clerical experience that is in, or closely related to, the work of the position and which has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and involves the routine use of automated software and keyboarding for word processing, data entry and report generation.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California is part of…