Court Operations Associate, Blue Earth County

Minnesota Judicial Branch•Mankato, MN

6d•$21 - $35•Hybrid

About The Position

The Minnesota Judicial Branch, Fifth Judicial District, is seeking a full-time, customer-focused, team-oriented Court Operations Associate for Blue Earth County, Mankato, MN, to join the criminal and juvenile divisions. This role serves the public and aims to make a difference in the community. The primary work location is the Blue Earth County Justice Center. The position may offer a hybrid work environment after an initial training period, requiring reliable internet access. The role involves advanced case processing, exceptional customer service via phone and in-person, and applying independent judgment to ensure compliance with court rules, laws, policies, procedures, and regulations, contributing to an impartial, accessible, fair, and timely system of justice.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Six months of recent experience in the legal field or a highly technical, customer focused, administrative position
OR Equivalent education and experience
Experience using electronic applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and the ability to learn job related software.
Excellent communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with attorneys, court staff, judicial officers, and the general public, including the handling of sensitive and confidential matters.
Experience in providing excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including the ability to de-escalate difficult customer interactions and process financial transactions accurately.
Ability to prioritize and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and departmental policies and procedures; to read and interpret legal documents of varying types and complexity; to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, team orientated with a positive attitude.

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 court setting.
Extensive knowledge of current court policies, procedures, processes, and terminology.
Knowledge and experience with Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS) and e-File and Serve (EFS).

Responsibilities

Performs the full scope of varied court clerical work involved in case processing on Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS) or related technology systems in criminal case types.
Provides assistance courteously and effectively to attorneys, parties, self-represented litigants, judges, and the public by responding to a variety of questions in-person, over the phone, by mail, and/or electronically; provides forms, documents, and court procedure information; assists public in filling out various applications and forms and arranges for language interpretation as needed.
Initiates case records using electronic means or paper documents; records required data regarding parties, documents, flags comments, events, and dispositions in case processing system and other relevant systems; reviews for completeness, adequacy, accuracy and compliance with rules/policies.
Performs in-court updating including calling cases, taking minutes, processing documents filed and distributed in the courtroom, and recording required data regarding parties, documents, flags, comments, and events in electronic case management and other relevant systems in the courtroom and takes court minutes and/or may operate electronic recorder.
Participates in and coordinates the scheduling and calendaring of court proceedings; sends out notices; and contacts attorneys and parties concerning rescheduling.
May perform financial activities within the office; receipting bail payments, making disposition entries and adjustments, preparing and making bank deposits; balances tills, and monitors accounts for delinquency; and Court Payment Center holding queues.
May perform the duties of an Electronic Recording Equipment Operator (EREO) including recording and monitoring court proceedings.