Job Details for Temporary Law Clerk

Court Name/Organization

New York Northern District Court

Overview of the Position

The Temporary Law Clerk gives legal advice and assistance to the court in connection with social security appeals. This vacancy is subject to the availability of funding. Please Note: Since this position is temporary, renewal may be possible depending upon performance, budget, and needs of the court. However, employment as a temporary law clerk may not exceed four years. Any prior service as a temporary federal judicial law clerk counts toward the four-year lifetime limit.

Location

Syracuse, Albany, NY

Opening and Closing Dates

08/10/2026 - Open Until Filled

Appointment Type

Temporary

Classification Level/Grade

JS 11, Step 1

Salary

$74,678 - $77,045

Announcement Number

26-DC-15

Position Description

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs substantive work on social security appeals. Drafts appropriate recommendations and orders for the court's signature.

• Reviews social security appeals, complaints, petitions, and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief.

• Performs research, as required, to assist the Court in preparing social security opinions.

• Maintains liaison between the Court and litigants. Corresponds with other officials, such as U.S. Attorney, as required.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of JSP-11 law clerk, a person must be a law school graduate (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree).

Court Preferred Skills

Knowledge of and familiarity with social security law is preferred.

Employee Benefits

• A minimum of 11 paid holidays per year
• Optional participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

Miscellaneous

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States. The individual being selected for this position will be required to submit to a security background check, which includes fingerprinting. All appointments are provisional upon a favorable suitability determination. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, which is available to applicants upon request. Employees of the U.S. District Court are Excepted Service Appointments. Appointments are “at will” and can be terminated with or without cause by the court. This position is subject to mandatory Electronic Funds Transfer participation for payroll deposit.

Application Info

Consideration will only be given to those that apply through the court’s online applicant tracking system. Applicants must submit the following:

• A letter of interest.

• A current resume.

• Writing sample (no more than 10 pages).

• Unofficial law school transcript.

• List of references (three or four names with contact information).

• A completed AO-78, Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (submitted via applicant system).

To apply, please visit the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review .

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.