Senior Judiciary Clerk

About the role

The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans. Telework, up to 2 days per week, may also be available. Telework eligibility is based on job functions and the approval of the Administrative Head.

Responsibilities

• Processes new Criminal cases and docket pleadings in Enterprise Justice and sends out for service of legal process by Sheriff's Office, Private Process or Certified Mail.
• Reviews and maintains pleadings/filings, updates existing case information, and ensures that all necessary documents are complete and accurate in accordance with established court procedures.
• Issues Summonses, Subpoenas, Writs of Habeas Corpus, and Warrants/Body Attachments.
• Prior to Court, prints docket, prints and reviews Case Summaries for each case, and prepares paperwork for courtroom.
• Prepares the assigned courtroom for the day's scheduled trials by placing the docket and all necessary paperwork and case files on the judge's bench.
• Records court proceedings, prepares necessary forms/paperwork, and enters case dispositions, judgments, postponements, fines, and costs awarded by the judge in the court's case.
• Enters open court proceedings in Enterprise Justice following Court and process paperwork.
• Greets and assists the public and court related personnel, responding to inquiries regarding the proper completion of various court related forms and information regarding court policies and procedures.
• Greets and assists the public in person and by telephone with information about cases or court policy and procedure.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma (or GED equivalent).
• Experience: Two (2) years of work experience, to include one (1) year in court operations or in the fields of criminal justice, parole and probation, legal or financial services.
• Note: A bachelor's degree may substitute the required work experience. A Paralegal/associate's degree or 60 college credits may substitute the required work experience. A Paralegal Certificate May Substitute the Required Work Experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge: Knowledge Of General office practices, procedures, and equipment. Standard legal forms and documents used in the Judiciary. Basic English and arithmetic to include, but not limited to, spelling, punctuation, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Skills: Skill In Customer service and handling problems tactfully and patiently. Typing on a personal computer. Accuracy and attention to detail. Ability To Use standard office and business equipment including, but not limited to, personal computers, word processing, spreadsheets, database software, copier, microfilm machine, register, scanner, fax machine, etc. Use and maintain alphabetical and numerical filing systems. Communicate clearly, tactfully, and effectively with judges, the public, police agencies, attorneys, and other court officials and personnel, both verbally and in writing. Understand and abide by departmental rules, regulations, and procedures. Exercise tact, diplomacy, and impartiality in dealing with the public, law enforcement personnel, and attorneys. Apply various court procedures accurately and effectively for assigned courtroom in accordance with courtroom protocols. Follow procedures, verbal and written instructions, and protocols for any given assignment. Use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Exercise independent judgment in interpreting and applying appropriate policy, procedure, rule, law, and/or regulation to a situation. Multitask, adjust to situations quickly, set priorities, and handle pressure in a fast-paced environment. Pay attention to detail. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, superiors, and/or the general public. Hear and decipher Judge, Attorneys, witnesses, Jurors, etc. in the Courtroom. Speak clearly and confidently in the Courtroom when administering oaths, taking verdicts, answering Judge's questions. Carry/lift files and docket books. Maintain focus when multi-tasking in the Courtroom & in the Criminal Department. Demonstrate flexibility and stay until Court adjourns for the day, working overtime as needed.
• Physical Requirements: Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Equipment, Machinery and Tools: Personal computer (majority of work is done on the computer), calculator (used to calculate court costs/bonds), typewriter (used to supplement the computer), shredder (confidential dockets and case histories must be shredded), scanner (used to scan documents to email sent to Assignment Dept./other agencies), copier (to make copies of documents), and postage machine (to add postage to envelopes for mailing).
• Software And Computer Skills: Enterprise Justice & File & Serve DV Office and Courtroom Microsoft Word Outlook (e-mail, calendar, etc.) Excel Court Smart & For the Record Chrome Office 365 Connect