.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF HAWAII
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
No. 2026-07
Position: Judicial Assistant to Sr. US District Judge, Leslie E. Kobayashi
Employment: Full-time, Excepted Service
Classification Level: Judicial Salary Plan, JSP 09-11
Table HI - Hawaii
Salary range: $70,005 - $110,116*
*Salary noted above based on 2026 pay tables and includes a 22.21% locality pay adjustment and an 8.64% non-taxable Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for Hawaii, both of which are subject to change annually.
Position Location: Judge Kobayashi's chambers
United States District Court
300 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, HI 96850
Closing Date: Position open until filled.
Approximate start date - December 2026.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Judicial Assistant is directly responsible for assisting the District Judge with an extensive variety of case-related and professional administrative tasks, as well as overseeing the management of the Judge's chambers.
The primary focus of the position is to contribute to the smooth and efficient administration of the chambers by providing administrative and clerical assistance. The performance of the incumbent has impact on the court staff, other judges, the bar, litigants, counsel, outside agencies, and the public.
JOB SUMMARY
The Judicial Assistant is located in the Judge’s chambers. This position provides day-to-day management of operations and administrative, legal, technical, and secretarial assistance.
Position Duties
- Prepare reports; assemble and attach supplemental material, gather and maintain statistical data for reports.
- Manage day-to-day operation of chambers.
- Manage chambers internal case management system, including coordination with law clerks on chambers case load and communicating with other chambers regarding case-related issues.
- Prepare and/or edit legal documents, proofread, and verify citations. Prepare correspondence, memoranda, speeches, and agendas for meetings and conferences.
- Manage the flow of information coming into and going from chambers, including receiving and reviewing, handling, or appropriately referring incoming and outgoing correspondence and filings, electronic and paper.
- Prepare and maintain the Judge’s travel itineraries and arrangements, and coordinate with other court units.
- Maintain Judge’s calendar. Arrange meetings and conferences for Judge and support personnel.
- Maintain, update, and track both paper and electronically filed documents. Organize and maintain filing systems.
- Perform receptionist duties by greeting callers in person and on the telephone, responding to inquiries, and directing callers to the appropriate staff member.
- Provide assistance to and communicate with law clerks.
- Handle annual appointments, promotions, separations and leave record data for law clerks.
- Handle the enter and exit process.
- Maintain office supplies and equipment and handle routine office matters.
- Other duties as requested.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
At the time of appointment, the candidate must have the following minimum requirements:
- A minimum six years of progressively responsible secretarial/administrative management experience, at least four of which include responsibility as the primary support for a supervisor dealing with law-related matters. A law degree or other education may be substituted for some general experience.
- Advanced computer and typing skills, including proficiency in Windows, with the ability to become proficient in the use of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Office, as well as Federal Court computer programs.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Accuracy and attention to detail in grammar, spelling, editing, and proofreading. Consummate professionalism, discretion, and integrity. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all office and judicial matters, work independently as needed, and organize work with proficiency. Ability to successfully handle multiple priorities with conflicting deadlines and demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing priorities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with federal court procedures.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Legal or paralegal education and experience.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. All application information is subject to verification. The selected candidate will be provisionally hired subject to successful completion of a background investigation by law enforcement agencies, which includes an FBI fingerprint check.
Court employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payroll direct deposit.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Compensation will be set based on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate subject to the policies and guidelines set forth in the Judicial Salary Plan. Federal Government Civil Service classifications/regulations do not apply; however, court employees are entitled to similar benefits as other Federal Government employees.
Time off: 13 days of accrued annual leave the first three years, increasing with tenure thereafter, 13 sick days accrued per year, 14 paid holidays (including both federal and local holidays).
Federal Pension and employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).
Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans. Optional dental and vision insurance coverage.
Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.
Other Perks: Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, public transit subsidy, onsite cafeteria and gym.
See the United States Courts website for an overview of Federal Judiciary benefits.
APPLICATION PROCESS
It is recommended that applicant packets be submitted as soon as possible. To ensure consideration, qualified applicants please submit one of each of the following combined into a single pdf:
1) Letter of interest emphasizing experience relevant to the position;
2) An updated resume;
3) A completed and signed AO-78 (Judicial Branch Federal Employment application, version dated 5/24), which is available from the Hawaii U.S. District Court website: www.hid.uscourts.gov under FORMS and “Miscellaneous,” or on the Employment Page; and
4) Three professional references with current contact information.
Please submit ALL required documents to be considered for this opportunity. Non-submission of the required documentation or an incomplete applicant packet may disqualify applicant from further consideration.
Please submit as one PDF via email to: [email protected] with subject line:
VA 26-07 JA to Sr. USDJ (your name).
The U.S. District Court will only communicate with those individuals who will be invited for personal interviews and only applicants who are interviewed will receive a response regarding their application status. Interview and relocation expenses are not eligible for reimbursement.
The District of Hawaii, U.S. District Court reserves the right to modify or withdraw this vacancy announcement, to fill the position at any time before the closing date, if one is provided, or to fill more than one position from this vacancy, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available within a reasonable time of the original announcement, a candidate from the original qualified applicant pool may be selected.
Equal Focused Employer. The Court encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance. The court provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify Human Resources at 808-541-1441. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
We value diversity, are committed to equity and inclusion, and support a workplace in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,005.00 - $110,116.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Work Location: In person
