Tuesday, March 19, 2024


The United States District Court offers great employment opportunities in many different fields. In addition to having a wide variety of career options, there are also many other benefits that Federal Judicial employees enjoy.

Please see the information below for some of these benefits and reasons why a career with the United States Judiciary may be for you! Also visit USCourts.gov for additional information on working for the judiciary.

National Benefits

Insurance:

  • Many Health Insurance options to choose from including, HMO, PPO, and Fee-for-Service
  • Many Dental and Vision plans to choose from
  • Group Life Insurance with additional riders you can customize for your needs
  • Short and Long-term Care Insurance options

Flexible Benefits:

  • Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA)
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)
  • Premium Payment Plan (PPP)

Retirement:

  • Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
  • Thrift Savings Program (TSP) with Employer Matching (Term Law Clerks excluded)

Vacation/Sick Time

Annual Leave:

  • Up to three years of service receives 13 vacation days per year
  • Three to 15 years receives 20 days per year
  • Fifteen years and over receives 26 days per year

Sick Leave:

  • All employees earn 13 sick days per year
  • No limit on carryover

Paid Holidays:

  • New Years Day
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • President's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veteran's Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

Local Benefits

Local benefits for employees in the Eastern District of Michigan include:

  • On-site fitness facilities in Detroit, Bay City, and Flint Courthouses.
  • Volunteer Policy - With approval, receive up to 24 hours of paid administrative leave for approved volunteer activities.
  • Some positions may qualify for the ability to telework.
  • Some positions may qualify for flexible work schedules.
  • Commuter Benefit Subsidies
  • Discounts for Government Employees

Career Development

The U.S. Judiciary has many opportunities to help employees with career development as well as personal development:

  • The Judicial On-Line University provides employees with access to thousands of courses, videos, and books on a variety of subjects from time management to Microsoft Products and everything in between.
  • Our local Court offers many training opportunities each year on topics such as PowerPoint, Word, Communication, Personality Temperament, Time Management, and many more.
  • The Office of Personnel Management has partnered with several colleges and universities to offer exclusive discounts for government employees.

Our Culture

The Federal Courts comprise the Judicial Branch of the United States. We are an organization with a rich history governed by Article III of the U.S. Constitution. Our mission is to assure equal justice under the law. Although our Court is steeped in tradition, there are many benefits to working with the Court such as:

  • Ability to give back to the community through fundraising opportunities such as clothing and food drives, donations, and other events.
  • Work in an exciting environment where historical landmark decisions are made.
  • If you are located in our Detroit office, you will be a part of the resurgence that Detroit is undergoing with access to trendy new restaurants and retail shops.
  • Use of local modes of transportation such as the People Mover and the Q-Line.
  • Close proximity to major sports and entertainment venues such as Ford Field, Comerica Park, Little Caesar's Arena, Cobo Hall, Fox Theatre, and the Detroit Opera House.
  • Consistent 40 hour workweeks for most positions.
  • Employee recognition ceremony yearly with years of service awards.

Transfer Opportunities

Once you are employed by the Federal Judiciary there are many opportunities for which to apply and compete for positions in other states. Employment in another district is not a guarantee, however, the ability to continue your Federal Judicial Service is a benefit. There are many District, Bankruptcy, and Circuit Courts throughout the country.

Procedures for Applying:

To open and use these court forms Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your computer. To obtain a free copy of Acrobat Reader click here.

TO USE INTERACTIVE FORMS once Acrobat Reader is installed, click on the desired form and type directly into the form's text field. Please note that text fields might be highlighted in some forms.

For check boxes, carefully move the hand icon over the box until it becomes a finger pointer then click the box.

  1. Review the vacancy announcements listed below.
  2. Download the Application Form for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (Form AO78)
  3. To be assured consideration, applicants should follow the application instructions specifically listed on the vacancy announcement. In most cases, a cover letter, resume and a completed Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment will be required. The cover letter must contain the title of the position applied for and the vacancy announcement number.

Incomplete submissions may not be considered.

Please see the Law Clerk Opportunities page for open Law Clerk/Legal positions with our Court.

Listen to Human Resources Manager, Robyn Ringl provide prospective employees with information about the Court and the benefits employees can receive.

Eastern District of Michigan Job Openings

There are no open positions at this time. Please check back at a later date.

Law Clerk Opportunities

Because each judge functions independently, he or she can add to the qualification requirements for law clerks within the parameters mandated by the Judicial Conference of the United States.

A judge's specific qualifications for a position may be listed in position announcements. The Online System For Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR) is utilized by some judicial officers. Please contact the chambers of each judicial officer for specific hiring details.

There are, however, general requirements for employment as a federal law clerk that must be satisfied by all appointees. By the time of appointment to a law clerk position, the candidate must be a law school graduate or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of a degree.

As of May 16, 2005, newly hired law clerks must undergo a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check. A judge also has the option of requiring a new law clerk to undergo an FBI Central Records Systems name check and a credit check. An employment appointment is provisional and contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the required fingerprint and optional checks. The Court will arrange processing the background checks upon notification of an applicant's selection for a position.

To search for law clerk opportunities in our Court please refer to the Law Clerk Employment Opportunities listed below and/or to the Online System For Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR).

Law Clerk Employment Opportunities
Judicial Law Clerk (Term) to U.S. Judge Shalina D. Kumar - Open Until Filled
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The Clerk's Office of the Eastern District of Michigan is accepting applications for the position of Judicial Law Clerk (Term) to U.S. Judge Shalina D. Kumar. This position is located in Detroit, MI unless otherwise noted. For more information, Download the Full Announcement.

Law Internship Opportunities

Each judge functions independently, and he or she determines the qualification requirements for interns. Please contact chambers directly to seek an internship.

Interns are subject to an FBI fingerprint background check. Retention depends upon a favorable suitability determination.