The longtime clerk for the Northern District of Indiana is retiring at the end of the year, and those interested in filling that vacancy have nearly a month to apply for the federal court position.

Clerk of Court Steve Ludwig announced his retirement recently, and the U.S. District Court that covers the northern third of the state posted a job announcement notice this week for the position that opens up Jan. 1, 2012.

As the highest non-judicial position for the court, the clerk works closely with the chief judge in assuring that administrative and operational needs of the court are happening effectively and efficiently and works with the other District judges and magistrates in Fort Wayne, Hammond, and South Bend. Other activities include working with bar associations, the public, and media as well as the statutory duties detailed in 28 U.S.C. Section 751.

Ludwig has worked from the courthouse in South Bend, but the next appointee’s location is to be determined.

Prior to working in the clerk’s office, Ludwig worked in the chambers of U.S. Judge Allen Sharp, who died in 2009. He left the judge’s office to serve as chief deputy clerk under Geri Crockett. He took the top position following Crockett’s move to the Southern District of Indiana in 1995.

In the Southern District, Clerk Laura Briggs said that Ludwig was her immediate mentor when she became acting clerk in 1998 and provided her guidance on budget, personnel, and facility matters.

“More importantly, he was my rock of sanity,” she said, describing Ludwig as intelligent, ethical, and kind. “I had very little administrative experience coming into my position, and Steve's advice and counsel often kept me from losing my mind. He’s an excellent clerk, self-made and respected by his colleagues throughout the country. It’s been my honor to call him a colleague and friend.”

The District judges appoint the clerk, and applications of those interested in that position are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 16.

Salary for the position ranges from $133,389 to $165,300, according to the court’s notice. Applicants must have a minimum 10 years of “progressively responsible” public service or business administrative experience, with three of those including substantial management responsibility.  That experience should include knowledge of the courts, financial management, space, and facilities management along with human resources and IT oversight. While an applicant is not required to be an attorney, experience in an active law practice or as a judicial clerk in a federal court may be substituted for other experience requirements.

Application forms are available at the Northern District’s Web site at www.innd.uscourts.gov, and completed application packets should be mailed to: Personnel Specialist, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 204 S. Main St., South Bend, IN, 46601. Only those individuals chosen for an interview will be notified.