Careers | District of Columbia Courts (2024)

Current Vacancies Internships About DC Courts

Employment Opportunities

The DC Courts offer exciting careers in court administration. Our court system enjoys a national reputation for excellence, and DC Courts employees have opportunities to work in innovative programs designed to enhance service to the community. The DC Courts provide staff training and professional development opportunities to foster the highest level of service to the public.

The DC Courts are committed to justice in the nation’s capital. We represent a highly skilled and motivated workforce and welcome those interested in furthering our mission. The DC Courts offer generous federal government health benefits and federal retirement, along with other supplemental benefits (transportation subsidy, optional vision and dental plans, and employee assistance programs).

Click Here for Current DC Courts Vacancies

Interested?

The Application Process

Applicants are chosen based on a competitive selection process, which may include clerical testing and/or vacancy questions.

To Apply:

Set up an account with USAJobs. (If you already have a USAJobs account, you can sign directly into your pre- existing account).

Select a vacancy.

You can find vacancies by doing a search directly in USAJobs

Once you have identified a vacancy and you are ready to apply, click the “Apply Online” button and follow the instructions to complete your application. (The process will require you to create or login to a separate DCCourts/USAJOBS account to complete the application).

Internship Opportunities

The District of Columbia Courts offer students interested in law, public administration, criminal justice, and social services a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience. The internship program places students in their desired area of interest so that they may gain hands - on experience in one of the nation 's busiest courthouses. Once immersed in a division, students have the chance to learn about the work done in their field of interest. Divisions throughout the Courts may have opportunities in specific areas of interest. (Check divisions' pages for more information.)

Graduate and Undergraduate Internships

Graduate and Undergraduates generally intern within operational or support divisions of the Courts. An intern 's responsibilities will vary, depending upon division and experience. Most divisional internships offer students at least 40 hours of court observation along with the specific tasks of the division.

Judicial Internships

Judicial or legal internships are for students currently enrolled in law school. Interns' responsibilities vary depending upon the judge. Most judicial interns are responsible for analysis of pending motions, legal writing and research, and some administrative tasks. Law students interested in a judicial internship are encouraged to apply directly to each judge.

Passport to Work Youth Employment Services

The DC Courts participate in the DC Passport to Work Youth Employment Services Program, where DC high school students can gain valuable work experience in our organization, and the DC Government pays them for their service to the community.

Students also participate in a series of seminars on topics ranging from effective communication skills to time management.The Courts strive to expose students to a professional work environment, while giving them the tools they need to be successful.Please contact DC Department of Employment Services, Office of Youth Programs: (202-698-3492) or online at www.dc.gov for details on how to qualify for this program.

Volunteers

The District of Columbia welcomes volunteer groups to work on special projects. If you or your group is interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer application for the respective division or branch.

About DC Courts

Welcome to the District of Columbia Courts.

The Courts are here to serve you, and we hope that this information will make it easier for you to complete your business with us. If you have any suggestions about how we might better assist you, please leave a note in any of the suggestion boxes located throughout the Courts, or contact the Executive Office, Room 6680, 500 Indiana Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001, (202) 879 -1700.

The DC Courts are comprised of the DC Court of Appeals, the Superior Court of DC, and the Court System, which provides administrative support to both courts. The DC Courts are the third branch of the District of Columbia government. The mayor presides over the executive branch and the Council of the District of Columbia is the legislative branch.

The Courts hear and decide cases based on the evidence and the applicable law. There are about 120 judges in the two courts as well as 24 magistrate judges and a professional staff of approximately 1,500.