Judicial Specialist 2 #00033569-23100 Full-Time, Perm, in Espanola, NM

Full-time, permanent position in Espanola, NM. One opening available from 08-20-2026 to 09-03-2026.

About the Role

The First Judicial District Court is recruiting for a Judicial Specialist 2 for the Rio Arriba Magistrate Court. This role involves preparing and processing court documents, performing judicial procedures, and working with the court case management system under general supervision. Finalist(s) may be subject to criminal background checks.

Responsibilities

• Use the case management system to open, docket, and close cases based on judgement details.
• Provide customer service information to a high volume of pro se litigants, offering general procedural information without legal advice.
• Open cases: determine case type/cause of action, assess, and receipt filing fees if required.
• Docket cases: review documents, determine appropriate event codes, enter data, scan documents, and link related scanned images.
• Close cases: determine and enter closing events, disposition type, and judgement details.
• Assess, receipt, record, and reconcile monies; prepare bank deposits following cash handling procedures.
• Process, maintain, and distribute documents, files, and case materials.
• Review incoming electronic filings for format, signatures, event codes, and filing fees.
• Process and expedite orders of protection.
• Accurately disburse bond payments and prepare/maintain bond reports.
• Reconcile billing and invoices from contracted vendors for Specialty Court Programs.
• Prepare, proofread, edit, and mail documents such as notices and final orders.
• Execute case hearings, including orders to show cause, bench warrants, recusals, excusals, pleadings, and rule extensions.
• Maintain cash till and ensure court fees are accurately assessed, paid, receipted, and recorded in the case management system.
• Provide public case information to parties, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and other outside agencies.
• Order, review, sort, and organize jury summons.
• Prepare alpha list, random list, voir dire sheet, and seating chart for jury trials.
• Organize case files for microfilming, archiving, and destruction.
• Prepare exhibits and hard copy case files.
• Research automated, hard copy, and microfiche files for case status data.
• Certify and prepare court records, tapes, logs, and exhibits for cases on appeal to higher courts.
• Ensure the office, courtrooms, and equipment are operational.
• Maintain judicial calendars and schedules.
• Serve as a court monitor and perform clerical and technical duties involved in case processing, file maintenance, and jury management.
• Manage jury trial calendar requests for judges to schedule upcoming jury trials.
• Advise internal staff on jury procedures, reporting times, and updates on specific trials.
• Serve as a courtroom clerk, produce Instant J&Ss, obtain signatures from parties/counsel of record and assigned judge, file, and distribute.
• Provide support to other magistrate or district courts within the judicial district.
• Work with prospective jurors, instructing them on completing information online or providing forms when necessary.
• Answer phone calls, address incoming and outgoing correspondence, and maintain office supplies.
• Coordinate program participation with Specialty Programs within the Court.
• Accept, maintain, and file court exhibits, including hazardous or dangerous items.
• Gather, deliver, and file recordings, receipts for logs, and exhibits to ensure accurate record-keeping.
• Troubleshoot recording equipment, run updates, and maintain technical logs.
• Retain case material, mark for identification logs, files, and safeguard evidence as public, sequestered, or sealed exhibits.
• Act as a liaison between court personnel, litigants, or attorneys to advance court proceedings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of legal terminology and phrases.
• Basic knowledge of jury service, filing methods, and case processing.
• Knowledge of Specialty Court Programs, research methodology, and project management techniques.
• Understanding of court fee accounting practices, court monitoring procedures, and the Court Clerk’s Procedures Manual and Code of Ethics.
• Familiarity with the court’s and state’s Language Access Policies and access to the Certified Language International Interpreting Line.
• General knowledge of the organizational structure of the judiciary.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid driver's license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance programs.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• State-paid life insurance, with options for supplemental and dependent life insurance.
• Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses.
• Paid vacation and sick leave up to eight weeks.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan.
• Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan.
• Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations.
• Free healthcare, prescriptions, and lab work at the Stay Well Health Center in Santa Fe, NM.
• Bilingual compensation (varies by job classification or need).
• Training and career development opportunities.
• Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
• Overtime, holiday, or shift differential pay (varies by job classification or need).
• Physical fitness leave (varies by job classification or need).

Pay

Target pay range: $19.773-$24.716 hourly or $41,128.00-$51,409.00 annually.

Qualifications

• Education: A high school diploma or GED.
• Experience: Two years of experience in court case processing, legal secretarial work, or a related field such as advanced customer service, data processing, and/or banking/financial experience.
• Experience Substitution: Additional post-secondary education in a related field may substitute for up to one year of experience (30 semester hours equals one year of experience).
• Typing Certification: A typing certification from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions or similar may be required, with a minimum proficiency of 35 net words per minute. Certification must have been issued within five years of application.
• Certification: May be requested to complete the NM Court Monitor Certification Examination.