Court Clerk - Garnishments / Magistrate Court

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County • Athens, GA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this job is to assist in providing clerical support to Athens Clarke County Magistrate Court. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the processing of all garnishment duties required under OCGA §18-4.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent with one year of legal secretarial, clerical or related experience required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.
• Must be or have the ability to acquire Notary Public Status.
• Knowledge of Georgia law and government policies, court procedures, and activities of the Magistrate Court as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Court Clerk.
• Knowledge of the terminology used within the department.
• Knowledge of legal data including warrants, subpoenas, information, procedures and methods as required in the performance of duties.
• Ability to operate computer applications utilizing word processing and database programs, and the ability to learn and comprehend various tasks performed on computer relating to the operation of the court.
• Ability to operate of various office equipment including computers, copiers, scanners, calculators, paper shredders and fax machines.
• Ability to compile, organize, prepare and maintain an assortment of legal and financial records, reports and information in an effective manner and according to office policy and State regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, other staff members and the public at large.
• Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.
• Ability to handle required calculations.
• Ability to utilize and understand computer applications and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments.
• Ability to plan, organize and/or prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to comprehend laws and apply regulations and procedures of the Court.
• Ability to learn and comprehend programs related to the specific tasks performed on computer.
• Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, typewriters, calculators, and copying machines.
• Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials.
• Requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.
• Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
• Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants and receiving assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
• Requires the ability to read a variety of legal documents, reports, financial data and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
• Requires the ability to prepare various documents and statistics using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence to those who maybe hostile or irate or have limited understanding.
• Requires the ability to learn and understand basic principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgments in the absence of management.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical or professional languages including legal terminology.
• Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; utilize determine percentages.
• Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with various types of office equipment.
• Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using office equipment.
• Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.
• Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as computers, typewriters, calculators, paper shredding machines, and copying machines.
• Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.
• Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Must be adaptable to performing under moderate to considerable stress when dealing with an irritable general public.
• Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
• Must be able to communicate via telephone.

Nice To Haves

• Paralegal training or clerk's office experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Reviews for accuracy, and processes affidavits for garnishment as received into court; includes the docketing, indexing and filing of same.
• Check for refiles/multiples.
• Cross-reference all Garnishment refiles/multiples.
• Present new filings to Judge for approval prior.
• Ring and Initiate all new, approved, Garnishment cases.
• Prepare garnishment answer forms as needed.
• Prepare all Garnishment cases for service by Sheriff or approved Private Process Server, as required by state law.
• Mail copies of filings to Plaintiff, including a second set, for service on Defendant as required by state law.
• Docket Garnishment Service and file.
• Set up AR accounts for new cases that receive payments.
• Pull files and ring all Garnishment money answers daily.
• Maintain accurate balances and alert Clerk of Court of any errors, or anomalies.
• Docket and file all Garnishment Notice to Defendant, Orders, Dismissals, Releases, and Answers.
• Prepare and mail Clerk's Release for all cases as required by new State law.
• Schedule and prepare Hearing Notices for all Garnishment hearings including Traverse, Defendant Claims, Requests for Default Judgment, and Motions to Modify Default Judgments on Garnishee.
• Prepare Hold Memos and Deposit Memos as needed.
• Alert Clerk of Court of any anomalies, overpayments, etc regarding money answers.
• Maintain accurate records for office budget and State reporting requirements.
• Attend monthly garnishee payee meetings.
• Prepare and review FIFA’s, process requests for interrogatories, process record search requests.
• Answers incoming telephone calls, provides accurate information, direct calls to appropriate staff/departments, and/or relays messages timely.
• Rotate opening/closing of office.
• Cover counter duties and courtroom duties, as assigned.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by Chief Judge, Judges, Clerk of Court and Deputy Clerk.
• Attend all staff meetings
• Assumes responsibility for the correctness of spelling, punctuation, forma, and grammar.
• Cross-train with other Magistrate Court departments.

Benefits

• ACCGov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED