POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT 26-21

ASSISTANT COMPUTER SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

Office of the Federal Public Defender

Western District of Texas

THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER for the Western District of Texas is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Computer Systems Administrator (ACSA) with concentration in litigation support, to be stationed in Austin, San Antonio or El Paso. The Federal Public Defender operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, to provide defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters by appointment from the court to individuals unable to afford counsel.

Requirements. To qualify for the ACSA position, a candidate must have a high school diploma or equivalent, at least three years of general experience involving automated systems, and two years of specialized experience in litigation support and computer systems administration. A bachelor’s degree is preferred. The candidate must be highly motivated, detail‑oriented, and well organized, with the ability to learn new technical concepts quickly, diagnose and resolve system issues efficiently, maintain a strong client‑service focus, and communicate effectively.

Specialized knowledge and experience in the following areas is required:

Experience administering and troubleshooting litigation support tools such as Axiom, Web Preserver, Camtasia, CaseMap, dtSearch, Adobe Acrobat, and Trial Director.
Excellent understanding of file types subject to eDiscovery (e.g., e-mail, PDF, MS office, .zip, .pst)
Assisting staff with trial preparation using IT applications.
Windows 11 desktop and laptop computer support and administration.
Microsoft Office O365 suite support.
Experience installing and troubleshooting hardware and software.
Possess a strong, general understanding of IT infrastructures.
Proven experience providing exceptional support to users while working independently with minimal supervision, demonstrating strong initiative, sound judgment, and effective time‑management skills.
Specialized knowledge, skill, and experience in the following areas is preferred:

Hands-on knowledge of document review platforms and eDiscovery databases.
Certification in one or more digital forensics tools, such as FTK, Axiom, or Cellebrite;
Previous experience working in a law office and understanding court functions, processes, and operations.
Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including, but not limited to an FBI name and fingerprint check.

Duties. The ACSA-Litigation Support Specialist (ACSA-LSS) delivers hybrid user support services, including end‑user training, troubleshooting hardware and software issues, and providing specialized assistance with litigation technology. Responsibilities include organizing, maintaining, and managing access to electronic case materials; supporting trial preparation and case‑related technological needs; and ensuring effective use of litigation support tools. The ACSA-LSS helps staff access critical information reliably and efficiently throughout all stages of a case.

The ACSA-LSS will also provide Tier-1 end user support for hardware, software, networking and user access issues. Additionally, the ACSA-LSS will assist with maintaining inventory, developing and maintaining documentation, and developing initiatives to advance and improve the office’s use of technological tools for litigation purposes. The ACSA-LSS will also perform other duties, as assigned. The ACSA-LSS assists the Supervisory Computer Systems Administrator (SCSA). The ability to lift 50 pounds, and frequent travel, including overnight travel, is required.

Salary and Benefits. The salary of an ACSA-Litigation Support Specialist will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications, within a range from $68,545 (JSP-9, Step 1) to $92,023 (JSP-12, Step 1). The position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. The position offers federal government employment benefits, including health and life insurance, retirement, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).

How to Apply. Qualified persons may apply by sending a letter of interest addressed to Federal Public Defender Maureen Scott Franco (mentioning announcement 26-21), résumé, and three references. Send completed application in a single PDF document named with applicant’s “last name, first name-Announcement 26-21 Austin ACSA-LSS” by email. Submissions sent directly to the Defender will not be considered. For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations, which are decided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact personnel administrator Victoria B. Longoria at (210) 981-2081. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. Position announced February 24, 2026, subject to the availability of funds; open until filled.

The Federal Public Defender is an equal-opportunity employer.