Courtroom Specialist

City of Goodyear • Goodyear, AZ

20h

About The Position

Position performs administrative, legal, financial and customer service related functions in the case processing division of the Court. Performs administrative duties such as processing court filings, coordinating the court calendar, entering and updating case information, tracking documents, answering telephones, conducting research, and preparing and explaining court documents in a fast-paced environment. This position requires the ability to effectively organize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously; demonstrated initiative and sound judgment in decision-making; as well as demonstrated proficiency in courtroom customer assistance skills, receiving documents, accurately and efficiently entering data into case management system and responding appropriately to customer questions. In addition, this position requires the ability to problem-solve when encountering changes in tasks and priorities; to work effectively under pressure and tight deadlines; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; and the demonstrated ability to effectively use various office technology such as scanners, web-based applications (video or remote proceedings), and MS Office products. The ideal candidate for this position will possess a minimum of 2 years experience in courtroom service in a Municipal Court or similar office environment, with an emphasis on experience involving misdemeanor case disposition entry and other municipal courtroom service transactions. Experience in resolving semi-complex customer service issues with customers and the ability to effectively and efficiently handle multiple tasks at once is a requirement of this candidate. Preference is also given to candidates who demonstrate knowledge and experience obtained in a Municipal Court setting such as: AJACS, Arizona Rules of Court, and other applicable standards in trial court operations. At the City of Goodyear, you will be a part of an organization that values its employees as its greatest asset. You will become part of a dedicated team of professionals that are committed to build and maintain a highly engaged workforce. You will be challenged to learn and grow in an environment that values employee development and career-building. You will thrive in a culture of innovation. We believe that successful employees are those that possess these six core values: Adaptability - Integrity - Initiative - Empathy - Optimism - Innovation Only a limited number of the most qualified applicants meeting the City's requirements will be invited for an interview. The examination process for this position will consist of a panel interview. All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email- please monitor your junk/spam email for communication as it will come from a system generated source.

Requirements

• Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.
• Minimum of two year of experience in a related field.
• Must be bondable.
• Depending on the assignment, position may require knowledge of the Spanish language with demonstrated proficiency in proper regional and idiomatic usages; proficiency in the techniques of concurrent and literal interpretation and legal terminology; and procedures of the court system with demonstrated proficiency to interpret and translate instructions regarding court services.
• Work requires the ability to read and understand law updates.
• Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.
• Work requires the ability to write to fill out forms and right in a clear and concise manner.
• Semi-Complex- Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others but may provide advice/direction to an employee with less experience/skill or tenure.
• Significant- The employee normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. More complex work as well as decisions with more significant impacts may be reviewed prior to being finalized.
• Comprehensive Application- Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities.
• Moderate- Interactions may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Contacts may also involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.
• Complete Court Orientation and required COJET training
• Review personnel procedures with Courtroom Supervisor, Core Values, Judicial Canons, division policy/procedures etc.
• Participate in one-on-one meeting with Courtroom Supervisor within first 30 days
• Shadow Case Processing courtroom, window 1/5 and back-office procedures
• Take notes, ask questions, and seek clarification
• Become familiarized with forms, to include sentencing documents
• Complete training in Employee Self Service (ESS) and Executime (review of timesheet entry expectations, and time-off request submittals in Executime)
• Complete training in AJACS system navigation and use
• Search Docketing
• Retrieving case information
• Management of courtroom docket bubbles
• Notes tab
• Scanning and uploading case documents
• Complete training/demonstrate proficiency in courtroom specialist tasks in the following areas: Judicial order processing (Judge’s Box), Motions to dismiss, Notices of Appearance, Motions to withdraw as counsel of record, Applications to set aside, Petitions to expunge marijuana related offense records, Petitions to seal criminal case records, Court date continuances, Entry of plea of guilt/setting sentencing, Motions to amend complaint and case data, Drafting judicial orders, Orders requiring adjustments to defaulted case balances (authorized reduction in fines/fees, credit time served), Customer service phone calls
• Case processing window responsibilities: PO/IAH Case Creation, PO/IAH evidence exchange, Utilization and management of court queuing system (receptionist/waitwhile), Proper explanation of court documents/forms, Criminal Defensive Driving School Processing / Civil Traffic Charge Adjudication, Establishing payment agreements
• Courtroom clerk responsibilities: Criminal arraignments, pretrial conferences, and order to show cause hearings, In-custody docket, Civil traffic hearing and protective order docket, Bench trials, Jury trials, Remote appearances, Special settings (settlement conferences, evidentiary hearings), Disposition codes, financial and court mandates, tickler review, agency reporting/counseling, hone detention, incarceration, resulting court date appearances, assigning court appointed attorneys, entry of victims
• Completing financial adjustments as ordered by Judicial Officers
• Imposition of community service in lieu of fines/fees as ordered by Judicial Officers
• Courtroom recording and AV system
• Criminal calendar preparation
• Entry of default judgement(s), including FARE assignment
• Filing of case files in various areas: Post-adjudicated, Protective orders, Court dates, File folder creation
• Warrant Issuance
• Email Processing: Release Orders, DocuSign processing, IRC Emails, Petition to Revoke/Motions to Dismiss, Petition to Revoke Filings, Criminal motion processing
• Preparation of the in-custody transport list
• Demonstrate proficiency with all City of Goodyear Core Values

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of 2 years experience in courtroom service in a Municipal Court or similar office environment, with an emphasis on experience involving misdemeanor case disposition entry and other municipal courtroom service transactions.
• Experience in resolving semi-complex customer service issues with customers and the ability to effectively and efficiently handle multiple tasks at once is a requirement of this candidate.
• Knowledge and experience obtained in a Municipal Court setting such as: AJACS, Arizona Rules of Court, and other applicable standards in trial court operations.

Responsibilities

• Provides general, administrative, and specialized support by assisting judicial officers as directed; prepares reports associated with key court functions; completes special projects and assignments as assigned; provides assistance and training to new personnel; coordinates with court personnel assigned to other divisions to ensure continuity of service and promotes timely delivery of services rendered; participates in discussions regarding process improvements; assists others when work is complete; and provides coverage for others on leave or during periods of increased activity.
• Prepares criminal court calendar for upcoming weekly court schedule including preparation of file and case review prior to courtroom proceedings.
• Coordinates in-custody transportation, Jury appearances, and other courtroom related scheduling.
• Responds to a wide range of semi-complex inquiries and requests for service involving matters of state statute, rules of procedure, administrative order, municipal ordinance, local policy, and other directives; explains options to court customers associated with court services; reviews forms completed by customers for sufficiency; reviews orders, and other court documents and publications with court customers to ensure understanding and promote compliance; provides initial response to situations involving difficult customers and customer complaints; provides additional information and attention to court customers when routine service practices are not effective; processes requests for public access to court records in accordance with Rule 123 of the Arizona Supreme Court; and refers customers to Court Self Help Center when additional resources are needed.
• Provides assistance to the Judge in the courtroom; performs case processing functions by processing case actions involving criminal charges, civil traffic charges, protective orders, search warrants, and alleged violations of municipal code; issues Defensive Driving School extensions, payment contracts and other court-ordered sentencing obligations; dockets case notes for further action; coordinates schedules and appearances with judicial officers, defendants, counsel and other parties; indexes cases for special actions such as daily FTAs for corrective action; accepts correspondence for judicial review or further action; initiates enforcement action in cases involving failure to comply with court orders; prepares formal letters and other correspondence associated with case processing; processes appeals and coordinates with appellate courts; processes warrant clearances and coordinates same with law enforcement representatives; prepares abstracts for processing of MVD actions; enters case disposition information and reporting it as required by Court policy and rules of procedure.

What This Job Offers

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