PROJECT MANAGER
The Circuit Executive’s Office of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit is accepting
applications for the position of Assistant Circuit Executive for Project Management.
Applications are being accepted through July 31, 2018 or until the position is filled. A cover letter with a resume and a self-edited writing sample of no more than five pages should be mailed to:
Cheryl Vessels
Assistant Circuit Executive for Human Resources
United States Court of Appeals
for the Eleventh Circuit
56 Forsyth Street, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation as a condition of employment.
Reimbursement for expenses associated with interview(s) and/or relocation is not available.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Assistant Circuit Executive for Project Management reports directly to
the Deputy Circuit Executive. The incumbent has supervisory responsibility and the principal
responsibilities of this position are to provide circuit-wide leadership, coordination and guidance
regarding administrative functions within the Eleventh Circuit. In addition, incumbent will supervise a
small staff. Functions include, but are not limited to project management, emergency preparedness
planning and coordination, security coordination, and general court administration.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Exercise aspects of administrative control of a wide variety of complex, time-sensitive
nonjudicial projects and activities (both recurring and unique) of the court of appeals of the
circuit by researching, developing, coordinating, overseeing, scheduling, and distributing final
products.
Consult with judges, senior managers, and staff of the courts throughout the circuit relating to the
business and administration of the courts within the circuit and provide advice, guidance, and
appropriate recommendations to the Court of Appeals and the judicial council of the circuit as
requested.
Provide advice, guidance, and consultation to the chief circuit judge as requested.
Arrange and set up meeting rooms, prepare agendas and schedules, and compile meeting
materials for court administrative meetings of the judges of the circuit. Attend and serve as
secretary in such meetings.
Arrange and set up meeting rooms and compile materials for meetings of the judicial council,
court executives, and administrative staff as requested.
Serve as emergency preparedness coordinator by reviewing and making recommendations
concerning court building occupant emergency plans, continuity of operations plans, disaster
recovery plans, related secondary programs and contingency operations, building evacuations
and the emergency notification system, including maintaining updated plans.
Consult with chief judges and court unit executives concerning the broad range of security of
persons, records, automation systems, and facilities to obtain and provide information, and to
provide advice and guidance related to the numerous emergency preparedness plans.
Draft and recommend strategies to influence authorities and facilitate decision making
concerning individual and facility security and complex emergency preparedness issues.
Coordinate all security issues with the Assistant Circuit Executive for Space and Facilities who
has primary responsibility for all physical and facilities security.
Keep abreast of educational opportunities and trends in individual security protections.
Maintain close liaison with the United States Marshals Service, the Federal Protective Service,
local and national law enforcement agencies, and the Administrative Office of the United States
Courts on all matters related to court security, individual and facility protections.
Serve on the staff support group for the biennial Eleventh Circuit Judicial Conference as primary
overseer of printed materials and programs and liaison to the United States Marshals Service;
assist the Deputy Circuit Executive, who has primary responsibility for overseeing Judicial
Conference planning.
Plan, coordinate, oversee, and make recommendations for special court events such as
dedications, investitures, portrait ceremonies, working luncheons, dinners, retirement programs,
and holiday functions, which involve multiple judicial officers as participants.
Serve as liaison, coordinate, oversee, and make recommendations for special events held in the
Tuttle Building with other agencies or civic organizations that involve judicial officer
participation.
Coordinate official full court photographs and official portraits of circuit judges and memorial
resolutions.
Serve as liaison with the clerk’s office regarding court sessions related to judicial officers parking
and security arrangements as needed.
Oversee room reservations in the Tuttle Building (courtrooms, attorneys’ lounges,
training/meeting rooms).
Coordinate parking and building access with court security for special visitors to the Tuttle and
Godbold buildings.
Serve as liaison with Atlanta City officials and private entities with regard to street closures to
ensure unobstructed access to the Tuttle and Godbold buildings.
Supervise project management staff, including assigning and reviewing work. Assist in
developing work standards. Supervise, delegate, prioritize workload and conduct performance
evaluations. Implement staff procedures. Make recommendations regarding employee
appointments, promotions, and separations.
Perform other functions within the Circuit Executive’s Office as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or
university. A minimum of five years of specialized experience demonstrating progressively responsible
project management and administrative experience. For placement at CL-28, at least one year equivalent
to work at classification level 27 (CL-27) is required. For placement at CL-29, at least one year
equivalent to work at classification level 28 (CL28) is required. If the selected candidate starts this
position at CL-28, he or she may later be eligible for promotion to CL-29 without further competition.
Supervisory experience required; three years of substantial supervisory experience preferred. Experience
working in a legal and/or court environment, particularly appellate courts and/or federal courts is
desirable.
The candidate must possess program/project management expertise involving coordinating and
managing multiple, time-sensitive, concurrent projects. Occasional overnight travel required within the
circuit. The candidate must have the ability to perform physical work such as lifting and moving of files,
materials, furniture and equipment (approximately 50 pounds) is required.
The successful candidate must have the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, as
well as the ability to digest a substantial quantity of oral and written materials and produce clear, concise,
and accurate written work project; exceptional organizational skills and a strong sense of personal and
professional integrity; demonstrated ability to research and analyze data; skill in meeting planning and
coordination; ability to independently coordinate various court events at the expected standards held in a
number of cities throughout the circuit. Further, the candidate must be able to exercise initiative on a
daily basis, work independently, and interact cooperatively with other staff and court personnel.
Excellent computer skills and a desire to engage in technology are essential. Skill in using a variety of
software applications (Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat) is required.
The substantial amount of interpersonal communication required in the fulfillment of the duties and
responsibilities of the position makes it necessary that the candidate manifest the highest degree of
professionalism, poise, courtesy and tact at all times. The candidate must have the ability to consistently
demonstrate integrity, sound ethics, exercise mature judgment and possess the ability to maintain strict
confidentiality of all court matters.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to
work for the federal government. All applicant information is subject to verification. The
appointment is provisional and contingent upon the satisfactory completion and approval of a tenyear
background investigation with periodic updates every five years thereafter. It is the policy of
this 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 court employees are required to
adhere to a Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, copies of which are available upon request.
Employees of the United States Circuit Court are considered “at-will” employees, and, as such,
may be terminated with or without cause. The Office of Personnel Management civil service
position classification standards and appeal procedures do not apply to federal court employees.
The Federal Financial Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages for court employees.
THE UNITED STATES COURTS ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Employees of the United States Courts are entitled to the same benefits as other federal government employees.
They are not part of the Civil Service system, however. Some of the benefits of federal service are:
PAID VACATIONS From 13 to 26 days per year depending on length of federal service.
PAID HOLIDAYS 10 days per year.
SICK LEAVE 13 days per year.
HEALTH INSURANCE Employees may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
(FEHBP), and may choose from plans provided by several insurers. The
government contributes up to 75% of the premium, depending on the plan
selected.
DENTAL/VISION Employees may participate in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision
INSURANCE Insurance Program (FEDVIP), which is a supplemental insurance program.
Premiums are paid in full by the employee; however, the premium is deducted
on a pre-tax basis.
LIFE INSURANCE Employees may participate in the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance
Program (FEGLI).
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS Employees may participate in the Federal Judiciary Flexible Benefits Program
which includes (1) a Premium Payment Plan which offers employees the choice
of having health insurance premiums deducted from their pay either pre-taxes or
after-taxes, and (2) a Flexible Spending Account which allows employees to set
aside pre-tax money to cover certain health care and dependent care expenses.
LONG-TERM CARE Employees may participate in the Federal Judiciary Group Long-Term Care
INSURANCE Program which covers such benefits as community based care, nursing home
care, hospice care and caregiver benefit. Spouses, parents, parents-in-law,
grandparents, and grandparents-in-law are also eligible.
WITHIN-LEVEL Within each salary classification level there are 61 "steps." Based upon
SALARY INCREASES performance, employees within the Developmental Range (steps 1-24) are
eligible for step increases every 13 pay periods and employees within the Full
Performance Range (steps 25-61) are eligible for step increases annually.
TIME IN SERVICE Time in service with other federal agencies and prior military service is credited
for the purpose of computing employee leave and retirement benefits.
RETIREMENT Newly-hired employees contribute 12.05% of their salary toward a retirement
plan under the Federal Employees Retirement System, to which the government
also contributes. Of that 12.05%, 6.2% goes to social security, 1.45% goes to
Medicare, and 4.4% goes to the FERS Basic Benefit Plan. Employees may also
participate in a voluntary tax-deferred Thrift Savings Plan [similar to “401(k)”
plans]. Benefits are generally available upon retirement at age 60 with 20 years
of service or at an earlier age with 30 years of service. Reduced benefits may be
available with fewer years of service. Specific details are available upon request.
THE UNITED STATES COURTS ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS