Recruitment closes Thursday, March 10, 2016 @ 5:00 p.m.
Judicial Courtroom Assistant I $1,429.80 to $1,822.40
Judicial Courtroom Assistant II $1,699.49 to $2,074.73
DEFINITION: Under general supervision, assists judicial officers in an assigned courtroom or department by maintaining accurate records of court proceedings; controlling court calendars and scheduling hearings according to legal and procedural time constraints; acts as a liaison between judicial officers and legal counsel, court staff, interested parties and the general public to answer procedural questions; and addresses courtroom problems as they occur. Depending on assignment, positions within this classification may be assigned to courtrooms which handle a wide variety of civil, criminal, family law, probate or juvenile cases. Incumbents are expected to perform a variety of difficult, specialized and highly responsible courtroom support functions that require a thorough knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and practices for their litigation areas, with a moderate degree of independence and high accountability for results. Incumbents are also expected to exercise considerable discretion in carrying out responsibilities independently and with a thorough understanding of court policies and procedures. Judicial Courtroom Assistant I/II is a flexible classification series: DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Judicial Courtroom Assistant I is the entry level of the series within the Judicial Courtroom Assistant flexible classification and incumbents will receive on the job instruction and supervision in the performance of job duties. Employees selected for this position receive close to moderate supervision within the framework of the standard policies and procedures, and perform more well-defined courtroom clerk functions while performing more complex and varied duties in a training capacity. Incumbents may advance to the Judicial Courtroom Assistant II classification without further examination upon the recommendation of the employee’s supervisor and approval of the Court Manager and the Human Resources Manager. Judicial Courtroom Assistant II is the journey level within the Judicial Courtroom Assistant classification series. Incumbents receive general supervision within a framework of standard policies and procedures and are responsible for performing the full range of in-court documentation and processing duties. This classification requires a thorough knowledge of the rules, regulations, and procedures governing Superior Court legal processing activities as they relate to in-court operations.
Essential Functions:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this classification. Any one position in this classification may not perform all of the duties listed below, nor are the duties described intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel assigned to this classification. Attends court sessions; maintains official record of court proceedings; takes rough minutes; administers oaths to witnesses, interpreters, jurors, and others as required; reads information to jury; reads verdicts; and polls jurors as necessary. Prepares, assembles, processes, and/or maintains a variety of reports, logs, forms, and official documents generated from court proceedings such as minutes, abstracts, rulings, orders, criminal commitments, Judicial Council statistics/reports, and certified copies of court documents; uses appropriate legal terminology and format, ensures all necessary items/paperwork are included, submits for judge’s signature, and/or copies, files, and distributes documents as appropriate. Enters a variety of data into computer systems and/or registers of actions as appropriate to record court proceedings/actions and to generate/update a variety of documents such as court calendars, minutes, minute orders, rulings, motions, pleas, verdicts, sentencing, warrants, recalls, charges, etc. Acts as a liaison between judge, attorneys, agencies, and the public; answers inquiries, provides information and interpretation of court policies and procedures, relays/obtains information as requested. Maintains assigned courtroom calendar; coordinates court scheduling with presiding department and various attorneys; sets and confirms dates as appropriate. Tracks cases submitted to the court; monitors filing dates and timelines; tracks, obtains, and assembles appropriate reports, files, and documents to ensure Judge has appropriate records at the appropriate time. Assists judge in the jury selection process and maintains jury records; orders jury panels, schedules jurors for examination, calls/releases jurors on call, tracks peremptory challenges and challenges for cause, maintains jury ladder, maintains attendance records, prepares and processes jury expense claims, and collects jury fees as appropriate; maintains liaison with jury commissioner. Maintains control of and acts as custodian of exhibits during trials/hearings; receives, marks, and tags exhibits with identification; maintains exhibit list; ensures proper security of exhibits; and releases/returns exhibits as appropriate. Reviews orders, filings, judgments, divorce decrees, and other documents for accuracy and conformance to orders/petitions; prepares and submits orders for Judge’s signature or returns for corrections as appropriate. Prepares and issues legal documents and court records as directed by the Court such as warrants, attachments, bail forfeitures, recall notices, and various orders. Reviews, verifies, and calculates claims for payment for court appointed attorneys, investigators, doctors, and others; ensures accuracy, submits claims to judge for signature, and forwards for processing. Types a variety of forms, reports, correspondence, and other documents such as minutes, minute orders, rulings, and abstracts; copies, files, and distributes documents as appropriate. Provides a variety of support functions for assigned judge; checks on status of cases; obtains files, documents, information, materials, and supplies as needed or requested. Manages the logistical functioning and flow of courtroom activities to ensure the court runs in an efficient and professional manner; checks-in attorneys and litigants; verifies all parties are present in court for hearing; notifies jurors of time changes in trial schedules; provides information regarding case status to case coordinators, interested parties and other agencies; answers courtroom phones and responds to inquiries for information; maintains exhibits and subpoenaed material; requests interpreter services; requests special equipment when needed; notifies bailiff or courtroom assistants of any actions that may adversely affect courtroom security; transfers cases to other courts; may open and lock up courtrooms as needed. Prepares, controls and distributes copies of court calendars; schedules hearings and appearances according to legal and procedural time limits; reviews case information and ascertains whether cases are ready for hearing and trial; notifies court reporters when calendar is ready to be called; informs judicial officers of statutory time limits; schedules conferences in chambers with counsel and judicial officers. Acts as custodian of records and maintains the official court record; collects, file-stamps, processes and files various documents, orders and requests; records orders of the court by preparing minute orders; prepares and distributes stipulations, verdicts, dockets, motion orders, judgments, jail forms, custody paperwork and other reports and documents; checks documents for legal form, requirements and other court orders; takes affidavits and acknowledgments and enters abstracts of court proceeding in the Register of Actions; prepares, reviews, issues and distributes all forms and documents necessary for court orders to be carried out; enters, verifies, retrieves and updates case information from computerized case management systems regarding case rulings, dispositions, decisions and activities; conducts basic records searches; operates electronic recording equipment to tape record proceedings presided by judge pro tems; prepares files for judicial officer review; maintains integrity and confidentiality of files; issues and recalls bench warrants; compiles court-related statistical data and prepares records and reports regarding the work of the court. Acts as liaison to judicial officers, legal counsel, court staff, all interested parties and the public; answers procedural questions and resolves courtroom problems; contacts probation, pre-trial services, and other agencies regarding upcoming cases; requests applicable reports from various agencies; prepares referrals to court-ordered programs; refers individuals to various departments for legal assistance and other support services; notifies departments and agencies of judicial rulings. Controls access to judicial officer; advises on the status of daily calendars; attends to and assists judicial officers in chambers. Assists in the empanelment of juries; calls for jurors; orders jury panels; tracks and tallies peremptory challenges and excused jurors; records selection of jurors; pulls, prepares, edits and copies jury instructions; prepares deliberation folders for jurors; prepares jury verdict forms; prepares and reads verdicts for jury trials; polls juries and reconciles dispositions for each juror; maintains juror time records and computes jury fees; seals juror records in accordance with legal procedures. Identifies, tags, labels, logs, inventories, transports and stores exhibits to ensure proper security and chain of custody; delivers exhibits to juries; obtains signed receipts for exhibits that are withdrawn or released. Calculates, collects, records and reports bails, fees, fines and other monies received in court; issues bail forfeiture cards and deposit refund orders; processes attorney and expert witness forms for payment; prepares notices and amount due statements for court fees and fines. Maintains orderly appearance of courtroom and assigned work areas; maintains appropriate courtroom decorum at all times in accordance with Court standards. Maintains records regarding disposition of documents including lodged depositions, sealed documents, and other court exhibits. Monitors and reviews conditional dispositions and transferred cases to other districts and counties.
Minimum Qualifications:
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
Judicial Courtroom Assistant I Educational equivalent to a high school diploma or G.E.D. AND (1) year as a Court Services Specialist I/II OR three (3) years of administrative, clerical or secretarial experience, preferably dealing with legal or court processes. Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License is required at the time of appointment.
Judicial Courtroom Assistant II Educational equivalent to a high school diploma or G.E.D. AND one (1) year experience as a Judicial Courtroom Assistant I OR three (3) years of experience as a Court Services Specialist I/II OR four (4) years of administrative, clerical or secretarial experience, preferably dealing with legal or court processes. Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License is required at the time of appointment. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Judicial Courtroom Assistant I:
Knowledge of: general clerical and record-keeping practices and procedures; customer service and proper telephone etiquette; alphabetical, numerical and chronological filing sequences; basic arithmetic functions; proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as safe work practices, including correct lifting methods. Ability to: learn and understand specialized information, regarding rules, policies and procedures, and apply that knowledge in carrying out job assignments accurately and efficiently; perform actions that require high attention to detail and application of rules and specific procedural requirements; accurately code, index and file a high volume of official documents, in accordance with regulations and standard office procedures; perform basic arithmetic computations quickly and accurately; learn to operate and use a variety of electronic and automated office machines and equipment; communicate clearly and effectively in English; work in an environment that includes frequent interruptions and simultaneous attention to multiple tasks; understand and follow oral and written instructions; carry out duties in accordance with policy, procedure and scope of responsibilities; maintain confidentiality of Court documents and records; establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial officers, Court and County employees, members of the public and others encountered in the course of work; and type at a minimum rate of 35 net wpm. Judicial Courtroom Assistant II (In addition to the above)
Knowledge of : procedures and terminology used to properly perform Superior Court in-court legal processing and recording operations and activities; laws, codes, and regulations governing Superior Court courtroom legal processing procedures; procedures, commands, and use of computerized record keeping and processing systems used by the Superior Court.
Ability to: interpret the laws, codes, and regulations governing Superior Court legal processing operations and activities PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS: The physical demands of this primarily sedentary indoor office job are: finger/hand/arm/upper body dexterity, repetitive hand/arm movement, pushing, pulling lifting 25 pounds occasionally, mobility (indoors and outdoors) typing, bending, stooping squatting, reaching, and prolonged sitting. The working environment includes repetitive tasks, reliance on office machinery, interaction with the public and co-workers and limited exposure to dust, odors, fumes, and noise. Mental functions include reading, writing/composition, math computations, problem-solving, decision-making, and multi-tasking. Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).
Selection Procedures:
All applicants are required to submit an online application. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application.
Status Notifications : You will be notified by email through the governmentjobs.com site during the process of this recruitment. Some email accounts have been known to place these emails in the spam/junk file. Please check your email folders and/or accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and kern.courts.ca.gov If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com Applicants are welcome to apply online using the computer terminal at our Main office located on the second floor at 1415 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, California 93301. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed during Court holidays.
To learn more about how to create an application click here .
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