HOMEPAGE  > 

Career Opportunities

The federal Judiciary seeks talented and motivated individuals to help in its mission of ensuring equal justice under law. Attorneys, IT and Financial experts, interpreters, and many other skilled professionals can find their path in the Judiciary.



  • Current Opportunities
  • Law Clerk/Extern Application

Clerk's Office

Posted
Job Title
No available job opportunities to display.


Judicial Staff

Posted
Job Title
11/21/2024
Term Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Butcher
11/8/2024
Term Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Rodriguez
11/8/2024
Term Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Rodriguez
10/1/2024
Term Law Clerk to U.S District Judge Montenegro
2/5/2024
Term Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Torres
1/11/2024
Personal Assistant to U.S. District Judge


Additional Career Opportunities

Posted
Job Title
4/26/2024
Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society (NJCHS) - Executive Director

  Follow CASD on LinkedIn to stay up to date on job opportunities with the Court.

  Federal Judiciary Careers
Learn more about working for the Federal Judiciary including Benefits and Compensation, Career Possibilities and how to Apply for Judiciary jobs across the country.

Externships

Externships are for summer, fall and spring. These programs are coordinated through the individual law schools; however, applicants may submit their application packet directly to the chambers of the judge(s). It is preferred that the packet for an externship include the following:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Resume
  3. Undergraduate grades and law school grades (if applicable)
  4. Writing sample (under ten pages recommended)
Applications are accepted up to six months in advance of the semester for which the student is applying. Interviews may then be scheduled.

If an applicant has interviewed with a judge and is offered a position by another judge, they should contact the chambers where they are under consideration, by telephone, or by letter, and advise the judge that they have accepted a position and are withdrawing their application.


Pro Se Law Clerks

​These positions are usually full-time permanent positions and become available only upon the departure of the law clerk currently holding that position or through the allocation of new positions by the Administrative office of the U.S. Courts due to an increase in workload. The salary for these positions vary according to experience. Applications for these positions are made through the Human Resources Department of the U.S. District Court.

Refer to the Federal Law Clerk Information System at https://oscar.uscourts.gov for nationwide clerkship vacancies.

We offer an excellent benefit package.


Judicial Law Clerks

Judicial law clerks are usually selected up to 12 months before the actual clerkship begins. Some of these positions are full-time permanent. Therefore, these positions become available only upon the departure of the law clerk holding the position. The remainder are term law clerks. Appointments range between 1 and 2 years.

Interested applicants should send their application packet directly to the chambers of the judge(s). The materials in the packet are not returnable to the applicant. It is preferred that the packets for a clerkship position include the following:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Resume
  3. Law school transcripts - sealed and certified
  4. Writing sample (preferably not longer than 10 pages)
  5. Three letters of recommendation
Applications are accepted at the discretion of each judge, no sooner than the day after Labor Day. Interviews are scheduled and held by each judge no sooner than the second Thursday after Labor Day. The law clerks selected at that time begin their clerkships in August or September of the following year.

If an applicant has interviewed with a judge and is offered a position by another judge, they should contact the chambers where they are under consideration, by telephone, or letter, and advise the judge that they have accepted a position and are withdrawing their application.

For more information about judicial law clerkships or to see which judges are currently recruiting, please go to https://oscar.uscourts.gov.

We offer an excellent benefit package.

Human Resources Department

The Human Resources Department for the Southern District of California recruits for all vacancies for the U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office. We only accept applications when a position vacancy exists. Please follow the application procedures when submitting application materials.

Divisional Offices

San Diego is the main office for the Southern District of California. A divisional office is located in El Centro, CA.

Citizenship Requirements

Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. All individuals appointed by a judiciary office must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9) certifying their eligibility to work in the U.S. (this includes unpaid volunteers).

Highlights of Employee Benefits
  • Annual and Sick Leave
  • Leave Sharing Program
  • 11 Paid Federal Holidays
  • Health Benefits (large selection of plans available)
  • Dental/Vision Benefits
  • Life Insurance
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Flexible Benefits (i.e., Flexible Spending Accounts)
  • Public Transit Subsidy Program & Carpool Options Available
  • Federal Employee Retirement Plan
  • Family Medical Leave Act and Paid Parental Leave Provisions
  • Thrift Savings Plan with up to 5% employer match (tax-deferred & Roth option savings plans)
  • On-Site Fitness Center
For more information about the comprehensive benefits package offered to federal employees, please visit the US Courts Benefits Overview Page.

Additional Employment Information
Employment with the U. S. District Court is considered excepted service. Please note that final candidates will undergo a background check and/or investigation. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

Additional Links
For more information on employment opportunities outside of the Southern District of California, please visit the US Courts Careers Page: Employment Opportunities in the Federal Judiciary.

To learn more about the Federal Courts, please visit: Understanding the Federal Courts.


Your Employee Rights & How to Report Wrongful Conduct
  • Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR) Policy
Other Information

Employment with the U. S. District Court is considered excepted service. Please note that final candidates will undergo a background check. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.