Case Administrator I

Summary

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is accepting applications [under authority of 18 U.S.C. 3006A(g)(2)(A)] from all qualified persons for the position of Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Missouri headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The incumbent Federal Public Defender will retire on December 31, 2026. The term of appointment is four years; annual salary will be equal to the salary of the U.S. Attorney for the district, currently $197,200.

Duties

The Federal Public Defender provides federal criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel.

Qualifications

An applicant must: be admitted to practice before the highest court of at least one state; be a member in good standing of every other state bar of which he/she is a member; have a minimum of five years criminal practice experience, preferably with significant criminal trial experience; have administrative expertise; have a reputation for integrity; and have a commitment to the representation of those unable to afford counsel.

Education

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school is required.

How You Will Be Evaluated

We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.

Required Documents

Application Form See 'How to Apply' for instructions.

How to Apply

Application forms may be obtained from the Clerk of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri at www.mow.uscourts.gov, or the Circuit Executive's Office in St. Louis, Missouri by e-mail at CE8employment@ca8.uscourts.gov or by phone 314-244-2600. Applications should be submitted only by the applicant personally and should indicate the applicant's willingness to serve if selected. Applications should be submitted to Ms. Millie B. Adams, Circuit Executive, 111 South 10th Street, Suite 26.325, St. Louis, Missouri 63102-1116. The position will remain open until filled. The U.S. Courts are equal opportunity employers. Application must be received by July 15, 2026.

What to Expect Next

Once you submit your application, we will assess your application and experience, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews.

Additional Information

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To qualify for this position at the entrance level, a person must be a high school graduate or equivalent, with a minimum of two years of general experience and one year of specialized experience equivalent to work at CL-23. General experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation. Such experience is commonly encountered in law firms, legal counsel offices, banking and credit firms, educational institutions, social service organizations, insurance companies, real estate and title offices, and corporate headquarters or human resources/payroll operations. Education above the high school level may be substituted for required general experience on the basis of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) equals one year of general experience. Education may not be substituted for specialized experience because operational Court support positions require hands-on experience to be credited as specialized experience.