United States Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of Alabama

Overview

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama is seeking a senior-level executive with experience leading a diverse and innovative organization to serve as Chief Deputy Clerk (Type II), the second-in-command to the Clerk of Court. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, along with a proven record of leadership and accomplishments, are required, preferably in a court environment. The Court is composed of five bankruptcy judges in four divisional offices: Anniston, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa. The Clerk’s Office is composed of approximately 35 employees.

The Position

Reporting directly to the Clerk of Court, the Chief Deputy provides leadership, direction, and oversight for the day-to-day operations of the Clerk’s Office. In this role, the Chief Deputy assists the Clerk with strategic planning, develops and implements organizational procedures, and manages daily operations including case management, courtroom services, statistical reporting, information technology, and human resources, as well as finance, budget, procurement, and space and facilities. The Chief Deputy is based at the Robert S. Vance Federal Building in Birmingham, Alabama. Periodic travel to the district's divisional offices, special events, and training is expected. Starting salary is based on the applicant’s education and experience.

Representative Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operational Oversight: Managing the day-to-day operations and functions of the Clerk’s Office to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Workforce Leadership: Leading, coaching, and mentoring staff while fostering a collaborative team environment, promoting open communication, and providing necessary resources.
• Policy & Regulatory Compliance: Interpreting, applying, and ensuring strict compliance with applicable statutes, local rules, and the Guide to Judiciary Policy, while analyzing their impact on court operations and making proactive recommendations to the Clerk.
• Process Optimization: Proposing, developing, communicating, and evaluating operational policies, procedures, and Court plans to enhance productivity and organizational effectiveness.
• Information & Records Management: Overseeing the receipt, preparation, maintenance, retention, and control of all official court records and materials.
• Judicial & Executive Consultation: Consulting with judges, the Clerk of Court, and management staff to identify institutional challenges, analyze operational issues, and recommend solutions.
• Financial Stewardship: Managing the Court’s financial functions, including assisting with budget planning, executing spending plans, approving procurement requests, reconciling financial reports, and serving as the alternate Certifying Officer.
• Internal Controls: Overseeing internal controls, maintaining proper separation of duties, and implementing corrective actions to remedy any deficiencies or violations.
• Data & Compliance: Directing and supervising accurate preparation, analysis, and submission of statistical reports and official audits.
• Organizational Design: Continuously reviewing and analyzing organizational structures, reporting relationships, and functional assignments to effectively meet current and future operational needs.
• Human Resources Management: Participating in the recruitment, selection, training, and promotion of staff, while driving accountability and managing performance standards for Clerk’s Office personnel.
• Executive Support: Executing special projects and performing other leadership duties as assigned by the Clerk of Court.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: A high school graduate or equivalent.
• Experience: A minimum of three years of general experience and three years of progressively responsible specialized experience.

       General experience in progressively responsible administrative, professional, investigative, technical, or other responsible work that provided an opportunity to gain:

            a) a general knowledge of management practices and administrative processes,

            b) skill in dealing with others in person-to-person work relationships, and

            c) the ability to exercise mature judgement.

       Specialized experience is progressively responsible experience in administrative, supervisory, managerial, or professional work that provided an opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge of the basic concepts, principles, policies, and theories of management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Judicial Experience: Prior administrative or leadership experience within a federal court environment, with preference given to a United States Bankruptcy Court.
• Advanced Degree: A master’s degree in business, public administration, law, management, or related field or a juris doctor (JD) degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for some specialized experience.
• Leadership Depth: An additional three years of progressively responsible administrative and leadership or management experience in public service or business. This experience must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the organizational, operational, procedural, and human aspects of management.

Core Leadership Competencies

The successful candidate must possess a proven professional track record that demonstrates:

• Effective Leadership & Initiative: A history of taking proactive ownership of organizational challenges, driving continuous improvement, and leading teams with a clear sense of purpose.
• Collaborative Relationships: The ability to cultivate strong, cohesive, and effective working relationships across all levels of the organization, including judges, court staff, and external partners.
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Sharp analytical skills and the ability to diagnose complex operational issues, evaluate risk, and implement sound, decisive solutions.
• Integrity & Demeanor: Uncompromising ethics, sound judgment, and a consistent, professional demeanor under pressure.
• Executive Communication: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal skills necessary to facilitate open communication and teamwork.

Application Process

Qualified applicants must submit a single pdf of the following via email to CD_Resumes@alnb.uscourts.gov and reference vacancy announcement 26-03 on the subject line:

• a cover letter;
• a resume that details experience and qualifications;
• contact information for three professional references;
• an Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO-78); and
• a copy of your college transcript, if applicable.

Only electronic application documents will be reviewed for consideration. Applicants who fail to submit all required documentation, or who submit application materials through any other means other than as provided above, will not be considered.

Benefits & Compensation

Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, health benefits, life insurance, retirement benefits, and a tax-deferred savings plan. Information about benefits and compensation can be found at https://www.uscourts.gov/careers.

Notice to Applicants

The United States Bankruptcy Court is part of the judicial branch of government. This is an excepted service appointment and subject to at will employment. All applicants must be United States citizens or be eligible to work in the United States. Relocation and interview expenses are not reimbursable.

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must:

• Successfully complete a ten-year background investigation, and subsequent favorable suitability determination, and every five years thereafter will be subject to a re-investigation.
• Use Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll direct deposit.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of the job announcement, to withdraw the announcement or to fill the position sooner than the closing date without prior notice.

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer.