Court Clerk

Brazoria County•Texas 77515, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Court Clerk performs legal staff support and case-processing activities, including issuing marriage licenses to eligible persons in accordance with the Marriage Equality Act of 2015. The role processes court documents, supports court proceedings, maintains case records, communicates with attorneys and the public, and performs related election activities. Work is performed in an office environment, and employees must attend work at their assigned location on specified days and hours.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Two years of legal administrative experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience as determined by Human Resources.
Deputized status.
Valid Texas driver’s license.
Registered voter.
Knowledge of Brazoria County and County Clerk regulations, policies, and procedures; word processing and personal computer applications; local government processes; grammar, punctuation, and spelling; modern office practices; customer relations; County transaction practices; telephone etiquette; and department forms and procedures.
Ability to establish cooperative working relationships; exercise initiative, discretion, and decision-making within established procedures; analyze problems and data; maintain strict confidentiality; perform mathematical calculations; handle sensitive information under somewhat stressful conditions; operate standard office equipment; organize detailed information; assist staff and customers; maintain records; and communicate clearly orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

Process court pleadings, orders, hearing requests, bench warrants, capias, and correspondence.
Prepare court dockets and assist judges and attorneys during proceedings; swear in defendants and take trial notes.
Issue warrants, close cases, issue judgments on closed cases, and report conviction dispositions to the State.
Answer phone calls and respond to requests for information.
Coordinate jury activities, including preparing jury panels, work excuses, and attendance records.
Create criminal cases filed by the District Attorney’s office; prepare files, dockets, hearing notices, trial settings, and judgments; issue notices; obtain defendants’ thumbprints; sign and seal documents; close cases; and post and image documents.
Examine legal documents for compliance with laws and court procedures.
Audit electronic file documents, physical files, and fees for accuracy.
Record court outcomes, issue case-outcome notices, assign billing fees, and audit case fees.
Receive and sort mail and documents for filing, hearing dates, or a judge’s signature.
Prepare submitted orders and files for a judge’s signature; post and image documents; receive final orders and barcode files.
Prepare and mail orders, letters, and notices; proofread citations before issuance.
Prepare cases for transfer to other counties, close out cases, and collect money due before transfer.
Create orders of sale and bills of costs, and prepare and issue property-sale packets for court-ordered judgments.
Order files from the Records Department and email copies to customers as ordered.
Research case files to answer questions from attorneys or the public.
Maintain confidentiality of records as required by law.
Attend training classes as needed, which may require out-of-town travel.
Participate in election activities, including overtime; help train election workers and prepare training materials and supplies; assist with ballot processing; provide equipment support at designated locations; answer call-center phones; and perform related assigned activities.