Administrative Office of the US Courts

Who We Are

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts is a small, highly professional agency in the judicial branch of the U.S. government. Established in 1939, the Administrative Office is the administrative arm of the federal Judiciary devoted to serving the courts in fulfilling the federal judicial system's critical mission, which is providing justice to the citizens of this country. The agency provides service to the federal courts in three essential areas: administrative support, program management, and policy development. The Administrative Office is charged with implementing the policies of the Judicial Conference of the United States and supporting the network of Conference committees. And, it is the focal point for Judiciary communication, information, program leadership, and administrative reform.

The Administrative Office is a unique entity in government. Neither the executive branch nor the legislative branch has any one comparable organization that provides the wide range of services and functions the Administrative Office does for the judicial branch. The agency’s attorneys, public administrators, accountants, systems engineers, analysts, architects, statisticians, and other staff provide a broad array of professional services to meet the needs of judges and others working in the federal courts nationwide.

Our staff shares a strong sense of mission. We strive to attract top-notch applicants to join our dedicated and highly-respected staff in meeting new challenges and continuing our history of service to the Judiciary.

Most Administrative Office positions are classified and paid under a structured, broad-banded system. Salary is set commensurate with experience. A generous federal benefits package is available to most employees including: paid federal holidays, leave, health benefits, life insurance, retirement coverage, and a thrift savings plan. Additionally, the Judiciary offers long-term care insurance, pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and child care expenses, and transportation subsidies.

Employees of the Administrative Office work primarily in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building in Washington, D.C. Centrally located next to historic Union Station, the building is accessible by Washington’s Metrorail system and by the Virginia and Maryland commuter rail systems. The building includes amenities such as a fitness center, a health unit, a child day-care facility, a federal credit unit, cafeteria, and on-site building management and security staffs.

A limited number of Administrative Office employees are located in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Antonio, Texas. Employees in these locations provide information technology testing, training, and user support services to the federal Judiciary.