Description

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed for the minimum qualifications of the position. Applicants who, based on their application, meet the minimum qualifications, will be invited to participate in the written examination. Those who receive a passing score on the written examination will be placed on an Eligible List. Interviews will be scheduled based on the candidate's place on the Eligible List.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, learns various clerical and administrative tasks to assist the judicial officers, court personnel, attorneys and the general public at the Courtroom Clerk I level.  Performs tasks to facilitate courtroom operations and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the first level in the Courtroom Clerk series. Incumbents receive formalized and on-the-job training in the techniques and procedures of courtroom work. Progression to Courtroom Clerk II requires demonstration of proficiency in functioning independently in a variety of courtroom settings and in performing the full range of duties expected of a courtroom clerk.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position.  The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

Performs a variety of clerical and administrative tasks to support the operations of the courtroom.

Attends trials, hearings, and conferences conducted by Superior Court.

Takes notes, prepares official record of proceedings and completes minute orders for court hearings.

Types and processes warrants; reviews orders and judgments for accuracy.

Reviews legal filings for completeness.

Receives and responds to questions from the public, judicial officers, co-workers, attorneys and other groups.

Reviews and prepares files and court documents for daily court calendars and next day calendars; prepares minute orders for court; writes daily statistics from court hearings; updates court calendars and trial books.

Prepares a wide variety of documents to include prison abstracts, judge's decisions, correspondence, miscellaneous court orders, and timecards.

Logs court documents into files; performs related data entry and research.

Prepares, distributes, copies, faxes, mails and delivers court files to other courtrooms and units.

Performs various tasks involved in courtroom activities; administers oaths; prepares alpha lists and jury grid sheets; marks and maintain exhibits; prepares exhibit lists; updates statistical reports; operates electronic recording and playback equipment; takes juror roll call; prepares jury commissioner forms; reads jury verdicts; records various proceedings, including jury selection.

Operates basic office equipment including a computer, copier, fax machine, postage machine, scanners, printers, and related equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience, which demonstrates attainment of the required knowledge and ability to perform the required work, typically:

Education/Experience:

 High school diploma or equivalent.
Equivalent to three years of journey-level (Legal Clerk III or above) full-time legal clerical experience involving typing/data input. One year of relevant college or business school training may be substituted for one year of legal clerical required experience.

Ability to:

 Accurately carry out oral and written instructions;
 Use a typewriter and computer; use keyboard for data entry;
 Research and apply legal codes as they pertain to the processing of legal documents;
 Remain abreast of new laws, amendments and local rules related to assigned duties and responsibilities;
 Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and the public;
 Answer and screen telephone calls;
 Maintain confidential information according to legal standards and/or Court regulations as required;
 Read, write, speak and understand English effectively;
 Operate standard office equipment including computers, photocopier, adding and microfilm machines;
 Lift, bend, stoop, reach overhead; sit and/or stand for long periods of time; push, pull, squat and twist;
 Bend, reach and lift files; lift up to 25 lbs;
 Work in a confined work area; and
 Type at a speed of 40 words per minute.

Knowledge of:

 Modern office practices and procedures including filing, basic mathematics, record keeping and standard office equipment operation;
 Basic data processing principles and the use of word processing or personal computer equipment in legal clerical operations/settings; and,
 English grammar, spelling and proper punctuation.

Desirable Qualifications:

 Knowledge of legal terminology; and
Experience in legal office clerking operations including basic codes; e.g., Civil Code, Family Code, Penal Code, Code of Civil Procedure and similar codes.

Supplemental Information

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization:  Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Human Interaction:  Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization:  Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude:  Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude:  Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning:  Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Situational Reasoning:  Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability:  Tasks require the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals.  Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

The Superior Court of Stanislaus County, California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Superior Court of Stanislaus County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.