Court Services Officer Trainee/ Court Services Officer 1

The Mercer Vicinage is seeking a self-directed professional with strong communication, technical, organizational, and leadership skills. The ability to work well in a team environment is essential.

About the role

Under the direction of the Civil Division Manager (Court Executive 2B) and other supervisory personnel, the selected individuals will perform the following duties. Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is an essential function of this position.

• Manage case flow and/or monitor outcomes in the Civil Part and Special Civil Part from docketing through disposition, analyzing, monitoring, and processing cases in accordance with court rules and established practices.
• Work with the Judges and team leaders to set priorities.
• Assist in creating and maintaining credible trial calendars.
• Organize workload to ensure efficiency.
• Screen cases for possible referral to a complementary dispute resolution program; review cases to determine discovery and/or case management needs.
• Monitor cases to ensure compliance with discovery deadlines and case management orders.
• Respond to inquiries from Judges and attorneys.
• Conduct settlement conferences of civil cases and communicate with other interested parties regarding procedures and/or the status of cases.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

Court Services Officer Trainee

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.

Court Services Officer 1

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree and one year of paraprofessional experience in case management involving gathering, reviewing, and verifying case-related information, which shall have included one or more of the following:
  • Conducting investigations.
  • Monitoring casework flow.
  • Interviewing clients or customers for needed information.
  • Preparing investigative fact-finding reports and/or writing case notes or other case-related correspondence.

Substitution for Court Services Officer 1: Current New Jersey Judiciary employees who do not possess the required education may substitute additional paraprofessional and/or professional experience in case management involving gathering and analyzing case-related information, which shall have included the exercise of judgment and discretion, and one or more of the following:

• Reviewing cases to identify case management and discovery needs.
• Coordinating with judges and attorneys to resolve case issues.
• Preparing reports of findings and recommendations.

This experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis with one year of such experience being equal to 30 semester-hour credits.

• An associate degree from an accredited college or university and two years of additional paraprofessional or professional experience as described above.

Applicants who are approaching their anticipated graduation date may apply. If selected, the applicant must complete their degree no later than their start date.

Note: Appointees who successfully complete the twelve-month training period will be eligible for advancement to the Court Services Officer 1 title.

Qualifications

Education: Degrees conferred outside of the United States must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service (www.naces.org/members.html).

Physical Ability: For some positions, applicants must have the ability to perform work which requires climbing and prolonged standing, stretching, bending, and reaching to perform the essential duties of the position. For some positions, the selected candidate must be able to frequently lift and carry supplies weighing from 30 to 50 pounds and, occasionally, materials weighing up to 75 pounds.

Driver's License: Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Authorization to Work: US citizenship is not required. Selected candidate must be authorized to work in the US according to Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.

Background Check: Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that will include fingerprinting. All data received will be kept in strict confidence except to inform the individual of the findings and what action will be taken as a result of this information.

Residency Law: In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), the "New Jersey First Act," all persons newly hired by the Judiciary within one year must establish, and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey. Exemptions may be requested from the Employee Residency Review Committee in the Department of Labor & Workforce Development on the basis of either hardship or employer critical need.

Pay

Court Services Officer Trainee:

• Schedule A: $50,776.88 to $80,037.83
• Schedule B: $50,776.88 to $76,035.93

Court Services Officer 1:

• Schedule A: $54,434.49 to $89,181.84
• Schedule B: $54,434.49 to $84,722.75

For newly hired individuals, the starting salary will normally be at the minimum of the salary range. For current Judiciary employees, salary upon promotion or advancement will be an increase of 5% of base salary, not to exceed the maximum of the range, or the minimum salary of the band/level, whichever is greater.

Judiciary employees hired prior to June 3, 2014, are considered Schedule A. Newly hired individuals, and Judiciary employees hired on or after June 3, 2014, are considered Schedule B.

Schedule

The Judiciary currently offers a hybrid work schedule, and this position may qualify for up to 2 days of remote work outside of Judiciary buildings. To participate in this program, in addition to installing a multifactor authentication app on your phone or tablet, you will be required to have high-speed home internet access.