Court Clerk I

Travis County•Austin, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Under moderate supervision, the Court Clerk I performs legal clerical duties in response to court actions, using independent judgment to interpret and apply procedures and precedents to misdemeanor cases. The role coordinates assigned causes of action and handles detailed legal procedures for receiving, reviewing, filing, indexing, and scanning court documents. It also prepares and issues legal documents, may assess fees and handle cashier duties, and assists the public while serving as a liaison among the department, courts, other agencies, and the public. The position may serve as a Court Clerk II alternate in support of the court. This is the second of four court clerical classifications in the Administrative Support job family. It involves duties of moderate complexity and differs from Court Clerk Assistant in routinely reviewing that classification’s work, performing fewer general clerical duties, and requiring greater independent judgment. Unlike Court Clerk II, the position does not regularly perform most work in a court setting and has no regular lead-worker or supervisory duties. The position may involve processing a broad range of criminal and civil matters, maintaining case and document records, providing case information, preparing court notices and orders, supporting trials and courtroom operations, processing payments and warrants, and conducting research and reporting. Specific duties may vary according to assigned tasks. Employees may be assigned to business continuity efforts outside their normal job functions.

Requirements

Associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a directly related field and two years of responsible clerical experience, including familiarity with legal procedures, terminology, the court system, and customer service; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of criminal justice policies and procedures, legal terminology and documents, office procedures, scanning and document control, court systems, litigation, appeals, warrants, and bond forfeiture procedures.
Skill in analyzing legal documents, coordinating document review and processing, calculating and collecting money, operating two-way radios and communications devices, using modern office equipment and computers, and communicating verbally and in writing.
Ability to interpret and process legal data, operate complex databases, work under minimal direction, make independent decisions based on statutes and procedures, manage detailed high-volume work and multiple tasks, handle dissatisfied customers, and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to lift or carry up to 20–50 pounds occasionally and perform the physical activities described for the position.

Responsibilities

Answer questions from the public in person, by phone, or by email about court cases and direct customers to the appropriate court clerk.
Process faxes, sort and distribute incoming mail and legal documents, perform filing and copying, and date-stamp documents as needed.
Serve as a liaison and point of contact for parties, court personnel, law enforcement, attorneys, agencies, and the public regarding case status and procedures.
Respond to legal and administrative inquiries, provide technical assistance on legal documents, assist with office policies and procedures, and take initial steps to resolve complaints.
Assess fees and fines, receive and document payments, conduct cashier transactions, prepare bank deposits, and reconcile receipts through daily and monthly reports.
Receive and process petitions, indictments, tickets, affidavits, complaints, applications, and other documents instituting causes of action; enter relevant information and notify authorities when required.
Review legal documents, determine legal and factual issues and case impacts, docket filings using appropriate codes, and route cases to court as required.
Initiate cases and update case status in automated case management systems; maintain docket details and legal files.
Organize, barcode, scan, index, and quality-check documents and electronic images, including checking for legibility, blank documents, and missing records.
Prepare or issue legal documents such as summonses, warrants, subpoenas, citations, writs, protective orders, judgments, notices, and commitments.
Review court orders and records for correctness, determine required follow-up actions, and process exhibits, post-judgment documents, and case transfers or consolidations.
Set cases for trial, notify parties, prepare court files and materials, and assist judges and parties during courtroom proceedings when assigned.
Process appeals, bonds, appellate documents, license suspension orders, and other court-related filings as assigned.
Research parties and case information in multiple databases, update files, prepare notices, and track and process warrants.
Prepare property sale notices and documents, legal eviction notices, and inventories of seized property and funds when assigned.
Coordinate records for off-site storage, conduct research inquiries, perform statistical analysis, produce activity reports, and work on special projects.
Provide radio and telecommunications support to deputies in the field when assigned, including monitoring communications and researching information.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.