Judicial Branch

Deputy Chief

Washington, District of Columbia Full time

Deputy Chief

Department: Judicial Branch

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $202125 - $224583 Per Year

Job Summary: The Deputy Chief position is in the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO), Department of Program Services, Court Services Office (CSO). CSO is responsible for managing court administration and case management resources, programs, and services. The CSO Deputy Chief is an AO Executive Service position serving as primary advisor to the CSO Chief in the discharge of duties. The Deputy Chief supports the Chief in ensuring that the mission, objectives, and goals of CSO are fully met.

Major Duties:

  • The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO), Department of Program Services (DPS), Court Services Office (CSO) is seeking an experienced Deputy Chief to join its team. The Deputy Chief assists CSO, division and branch chiefs, accomplish the CSO's vision and mission goals. The Deputy supervises a staff of Operation Division attorneys that provide legal advice and written guidance to the CSO Chief, and other AO offices, and courts. The Deputy represents CSO interest and the Chief, when requested, in meetings with other AO offices, agencies, or with court executives. The duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Directing, tracking, and reporting on CSO's progress on meeting goals and objectives. Ensuring CSO initiatives are in alignment with the AO's strategic direction. Ensuring staff meet advisory process activity deadlines, advising body members receive the information they need, and the required feedback is gathered from advisory bodies. Representing CSO interest and needs in agency-wide initiatives. Developing materials in support of efforts such as emergency preparedness, appropriations lapse, and continuity of operations plans; construction, security, structure, or reorganization efforts, and other initiatives. Advising the Chief on strategic decision and oversight activities of the Court Administration and Case Management Committee staff. Advising the Chief on policy and legislative proposal development within CSO's purview. Building relationship and coordinating regularly with Deputies and with other administrative offices to remove obstacles for CSO staff in performing their duties. Serving as acting CSO division or branch chief at the CSO Chief's direction. Reviewing staff's work products, including policy, advisory, and other materials, talking points, and presentations, and advising managers to ensure materials are structured or revised to achieve intended outcomes. Developing agendas and helping conduct trainings and providing counseling and mentorship to CSO managers. Developing agendas and helping conduct offsites that focus managers on strategic direction and initiatives and include that create team building and collaborative environments. Providing legal and strategic advice on human resources matters to the CSO Chief, including making recommendations on hiring, performance, and recognition actions. Working closely with the Business Support Division Chief to ensure that CSO's budget, procurement, and human resources goals and needs are being met, including tracking staff vacancies, projected costs, and available funding for increases and awards. Representing the CSO Chief and CSO interest before the CSO's Council and advisory and working groups, in Risk Management Team Meetings, and as a member of the Federal Judicial Center Executive Education Committee.

Qualifications: Applicants must have demonstrated experience which shows competence in the qualifications as listed below. This requirement is according to the AO Classification, Compensation, and Recruitment Systems which includes interpretive guidance and reference to the OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-15/JSP-15/CL 31 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as follows: Working in public or private sector position that provided a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural, and human aspects in managing an organization. Communicating departmental and agency priorities. Advising senior management on legal and administrative matters. Desired, but Not Required: law degree/JD court leadership experience Additional Assessment: Applicants who meet the specialized experience requirements also will be assessed on the following Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Mandatory Technical Qualifications: The MTQs listed below should be evident in your resume. A supplemental narrative must be uploaded and attached to your application addressing each MTQ listed below. Demonstrated experience providing strategic, legal, or policy guidance to senior leadership on complex organizational matters. Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, or mentoring a diverse team of professionals. Demonstrated experience managing or coordinating strategic initiatives and communicating progress to ensure alignment with agency-wide priorities, including identifying and reporting departmental needs. Demonstrated experience reviewing, editing, or advising on policy documents, briefing materials, talking points, or executive-level presentations developed by others. Demonstrated experience coordinating, contributing, or developing plans and materials in support of agency or organizational-wide efforts, such as emergency preparedness, appropriations lapse, and continuity plans; construction, security, structure, or reorganization efforts, or other initiatives. Demonstrated experience providing strategic or legal advice to leadership on human resources matters, including hiring, recognition, workforce issues, or disciplinary actions. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): Applicants currently serving in an AOES position or under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM are not required to submit a narrative response for the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ). A narrative response as part of the application package for each of the following ECQs is MANDATORY for all other applicants. Leading Change: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: Creativity & Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision. Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Developing Others, Team Building. Results Driven: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility. Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management. Building Coalitions / Communication: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 01/05/2026 to receive consideration. To begin: Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12845600.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-05