Judicial Specialist 2 #10105652-23300, Full-Time, Perm in Las Cruces, NM

About the role

The Third Judicial District Court is recruiting for one full-time permanent Judicial Specialist II position to support the Third Judicial District Court in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Under supervision, this position processes court documents, accurately receipts and reconciles court fines and fees, and provides excellent customer service. This is a full performance level job classification.

Responsibilities

• Process court documents and use electronic databases to manage and track information and data.
• Use the case management system to open, docket, and close cases based on judgment details.
• Provide customer service information to a high volume of pro se litigants by providing general procedural information without giving legal advice.
• Open cases: determine case type/cause of action and assess and receipt filing fee if required.
• Docket cases: review documents and determine appropriate event codes, enter data, scan documents, and link related scanned images.
• Close cases: determine and enter closing events, disposition type, and judgment details.
• Assess, receipt, record, and reconcile monies, and prepare bank deposits; follow cash handling procedures.
• Process, maintain, and distribute documents, files, and case materials.
• Use electronic filing to review incoming filings for format, signatures, event code, and filing fees.
• Process and expedite orders of protection.
• Accurately disburse bond payments and prepare and maintain bond reports.
• Reconcile billing and invoices from contracted vendors provided for Specialty Court Programs.
• Prepare, proofread, edit, and mail out documents such as notices and final orders.
• Execute on case hearings, which may include 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 correctly 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.
• Ensure judicial calendars and schedules are maintained.
• Serve as a court monitor.
• Perform clerical and technical duties involved in case processing, file maintenance, jury management, and the conduct of the clerical business of the court.
• Manage jury trial calendar requests for judges to schedule upcoming jury trials.
• Advise internal staff of jury procedures, when jurors are reporting, and updates on specific trials.
• Serve as a courtroom clerk, produce Instant J&Ss, and obtain signatures from the parties/counsel of record, assigned judge, file, and distribute.
• Provide support to other magistrate or district courts within the judicial district.
• Instruct prospective jurors on how to complete their information online and/or provide appropriate forms when necessary.
• Answer phone calls and address incoming and outgoing correspondence.
• Maintain office supplies.
• Coordinate program participation with Specialty Programs within the Court.
• Accept, maintain, and file court exhibits, which may include hazardous and/or dangerous items.
• Gather, deliver, and file recordings, receipts for log and exhibits to provide accurate record keeping procedures.
• Troubleshoot recording equipment, run updates, and maintain technical logs.
• Responsible for retention of case material and marks for identification logs, files, and safeguards evidence as a public, sequestered, or sealed exhibit.
• Act as a liaison between court personnel, litigants, or attorneys to advance court proceedings.

Qualifications

• Education: A high school diploma or GED.
• Experience: Two years of experience in court case processing, a legal secretarial or 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. Thirty 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. If certification is required, a typing proficiency score of at least 35 net words per minute is mandatory. The certification must have been issued within five years of application.
• Certification: May be requested to complete the NM Court Monitor Certification Examination.

Competencies

The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of:

• Legal terminology and phrases.
• Basic knowledge of jury service.
• Filing methods and case processing.
• Specialty Court Programs.
• Research methodology and project management techniques.
• Court fee accounting practices.
• Court monitoring procedures.
• Court Clerk’s Procedures Manual and Code of Ethics.
• Court’s and State’s Language Access Policies and access to the Certified Language International Interpreting Line.
• General organizational structure of the judiciary.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

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 Rx insurance programs.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance Programs and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• State-paid life insurance, 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 health care, Rx, and lab work at the Stay Well Health Center in Santa Fe, NM.
• Bilingual compensation.
• Training and career development opportunities.
• Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement.
• May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
• May receive overtime, holiday, or shift differential pay.
• May receive physical fitness leave.