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The Federal Judicial Center (Center) is the federal courts' agency for research and continuing education. Congress established the Center in 1967 as a separate organization within the federal judicial system at the request of the Judicial Conference of the United States. A nine-member board, chaired by the Chief Justice of the United States, determines its basic policies.
Learn more about this agency01/10/2025 to 02/21/2025
$150,783 - $158,322 per year
Please read the "Additional Information" section for more information.
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Few vacancies in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - The position requires some travel.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
None
No
No
25-02
827523100
The Research Division conducts empirical research on the operation of the federal courts, especially at the request of committees of the Judicial Conference, and promotes such research by other public and private persons and entities. Its role is to provide accurate and objective information to facilitate thorough and candid analysis of judiciary policies, practices, and procedures. The Division's interdisciplinary staff designs and implements studies and prepares research reports, and also produces resources for judges and the judiciary on legal developments, case management, and other topics.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The primary duties and responsibilities of a Research Associate are to contribute to the design and conduct of social scientific and law-related research aimed at identifying innovative or improved approaches to judicial administration in the federal court system, including appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts.
Research associates, as part of project teams, carry out various research tasks and projects, including:
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
Please read the "Qualifications" section.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The starting salary is set at $150,783 (includes 2025 D.C. locality). This position falls in the Center's pay band 6, which has a salary range up to $227,608 (includes 2025 D.C. locality). For a successful candidate not currently a member of the Center staff, a higher starting salary, not to exceed $158,322 (includes 2025 D.C. locality) may be considered if the candidate furnishes proof that their current salary falls above the pay band 6 minimum salary of $150,783 (includes 2025 D.C. locality), in which case the Center would match that salary up to the starting salary limit of $158,322 (includes 2025 D.C. locality). This is the maximum starting salary, and it is non-negotiable. In addition, a successful candidate who does not live within the D.C. locality region or work at the official duty station in Washington, D.C., for 16 or more work hours per pay period will not receive D.C. region locality pay and will receive the locality pay of their place of primary residence (telework site). If the successful internal candidate's salary falls above the range minimum, their salary will be matched up to their current salary.
Federal government benefits are applicable. An array of supplemental benefits is also offered, including a transportation subsidy and a flexible benefit program allowing for pre-tax deductions for health insurance, health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses. The Center is in the Thurgood Marshall Building, conveniently situated to public transportation directly beside Union Station. The Marshall Building houses a child development center, a health fitness facility, and a cafeteria for its tenants.
The Center offers a range of telework and flexible work schedule options based on the employee's position categorization. When business needs arise, all Center employees are required to work at the official duty station in Washington, D.C., or at a temporary duty station. The Center does not pay for relocation expenses; however, Center employees receive reimbursement for all official business travel.
This position does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive civil service.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Please read the "Next steps" section for more information.
Please read the "How to Apply" section.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
In a brief cover letter referring to Announcement #25-02, please summarize how you satisfy the qualifications listed above. Applications without the required cover letter or with cover letters that do not address the qualifications will not be considered. Along with the cover letter, please include a current resume that specifies dates of employment and responsibilities for all related positions. A cover letter and resume in a single combined PDF document is required. Name the file using your last name, first name, and the announcement number, as follows: Lastname.Firstname.25-02.pdf. Any information provided in the transmittal email will not be considered part of the application.
All applications should be submitted by email to personnel@fjc.gov.
When applying, please refer to Announcement #25-02. To assure full consideration, your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. on February 21, 2025.
Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/827523100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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