Court Operations Associate - Otter Tail County

Minnesota Judicial Branch•Fergus Falls, MN

5d•$22 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Court Operations Associate provides extensive support in processing cases in assigned areas from initiation through disposition. Duties include filing documents, initiating court files, receipting court fees, and scheduling hearings. The role handles complex tasks related to processing cases through the court system and provides written, in-person, and telephone assistance to the public and other agency personnel. Associates rotate among various specializations throughout court administration. The position is based primarily in an office setting, courtroom, or public counter at Otter Tail Court Administration in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The expected starting salary for external candidates is $22.28. A successful candidate must pass a criminal background check.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; equivalent related experience may substitute for education requirements.
At least one year of relevant job experience, which may include customer service, administrative, or office work; additional education may substitute for experience.
Experience using electronic applications such as Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat, and ability to learn job-related software.
Experience providing customer service under pressure in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
Ability to multitask, prioritize duties, and remain flexible and adaptable to change.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters.
Ability to read, comprehend, and explain rules, statutes, legal documents, policies, and procedures of varying complexity.
Ability to establish and maintain respectful, effective working relationships and to work professionally in an inclusive, multicultural environment with cultural sensitivity.
Ability to begin tasks with little supervision, maintain accuracy and attention to detail, and make independent judgments and decisions.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including ability to de-escalate difficult interactions.
Reliability and ability to meet work commitments.
Must pass a criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice, political science, business administration, or a related field.
Experience working in the legal field or a court setting.
Extensive knowledge of current court policies, procedures, processes, and terminology.
Knowledge and experience with Minnesota Court Information Systems (MNCIS) and eFile and eServe (EFS).

Responsibilities

Initiate and schedule new court cases; receive and file court documents.
Sort mail and receipt mail and bail payments; process payable citations as needed.
Review legal documents for completeness, adequacy, accuracy, and compliance with rules; determine security level codes and process filings through eFile and eServe.
Determine proper routing of complaints, petitions, and other filings, and notify parties.
Receipt case initiations, certified copies, and fine payments; prepare and process daily deposits as needed and perform month-end balancing.
Assist judges during court proceedings and respond to requests for documents or information; provide the public, attorneys, outside agencies, and law enforcement with information and assistance concerning court policies, procedures, cases, and proceedings.
Generate and review notices, executions, correspondence, court calendars, and orders; perform jury coordination and processing activities as needed.
Enter case events, bail information, case activity, dispositions, and sentencing information into the computer system; report information to the Department of Public Safety and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as applicable.
Perform telephone and counter work, respond to inquiries about court procedures, and manage court records.
Ensure completeness and accuracy of records transferred due to change of venue, appeal, or certification requirements.
Perform courtroom clerical duties, including preparing case files and forms, checking people in, calling the calendar, swearing in witnesses, taking court minutes or operating an electronic recorder, setting future court dates, organizing the docket, recording continuances and case progress, updating cases, and preparing judge orders.
Participate in and coordinate scheduling and calendaring of hearings and other matters; send notices, contact attorneys and parties about rescheduling, and make appropriate record entries.
Review MNCIS case exception or operational reports and implement corrective actions.
Review financial reports for auditing purposes and accuracy.