Deputy Court Clerk

City of Bloomfield • Bloomfield, NM

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Works under the administrative supervision of the Court Administrator and Municipal Court Judge performing a variety of clerical and complex duties designed to expedite the functions, actions, judgments, processes, and procedures associated with the office of the City Municipal Court.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Two (2) years of experience related to the above or similar duties or customer service
• Working knowledge of telephone operations and receptionist functions
• Working knowledge of legal and court terminology
• Working knowledge of basic accounting and bookkeeping office methods and equipment
• Working knowledge of complex filing systems and computerized applications for records filing
• Some knowledge of courtroom protocol and various hearings (arraignment, pre-trial, trial, etc.)
• Some knowledge of local ordinances, laws, and legal objectives, practices and procedures associated with administration of the office of Municipal Judge
• Some knowledge of general office management principles
• Typing skill at 60 words per minute
• Excellent computer skills required
• Ability to follow complex instructions
• Ability to work under stressful working conditions created by strict time frames
• Ability to learn legal and court document formats
• Ability to learn criminal and civil law as it applies to court processes
• Ability to manage unhappy individuals and unpleasant situations
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with co-workers, appointed officials, professionals, and the public
• Must be bondable and eligible to serve as a notary
• Must complete clerk training as required by the State Court when it is scheduled and successfully complete annual court training provided by the State.

Nice To Haves

• Spanish as a second language is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receives telephone calls and refers to appropriate person; performs general secretarial duties such as typing letters, memos, and other correspondence; opens and processes mail.
• Answers questions about hearing or trial schedules and assists the public in resolving questions regarding various civil processes and papers; provides information about court procedures and schedules.
• Maintains liaison and communications with agencies associated with the criminal municipal system such as City Police Department, City attorney, SJC Adult Detention Center, private attorneys, and court-appointed attorneys, city courts, and city offices.
• Receives, computer enters and files incoming misdemeanor/petty misdemeanor charges, citations, and criminal complaints; assigns case numbers; maintains cross-reference recovery system; utilizes legal processes such as summons and bench warrants; attaches Criminal Summons by mail to citations; issues bench warrants and refers to Judge for signature; sends copy to Police Department; computer enters case information; receives and dockets notices of appeal; reviews citation abstracts; prepares packet of case materials for filing with District Court.
• Monitors payment records of defendants to assure conformity to judgments and payment schedules; keeps track of payments made through the mail, computer enters monies mailed or paid in person; posts payment decisions and other information in computerized ledger; accounts for fees, fines, and bond forfeitures or exonerations collected by the court; prepares daily deposits.
• Schedules pre-trials and trials for "not guilty" pleas; maintains calendar of events such as hearings, arraignments, pretrials, motions, trials, and sentencing; notifies or subpoenas involved parties in a timely manner; informs Judge of docket status and schedule; prepares notices of pre-trial and trial; obtains potential witness list and processes according to court procedures; notifies and schedules arresting officer and prosecutor for court appearance.
• Types Judgment and Sentencing for defendants; assists Judge with procedures, community service, indigent public defender, etc.
• Completes clerk training as required by the State Court and continues to receive training throughout the year as offered by the State.
• Monitors State code changes as needed to assure compliance with policies, procedures, and practices of the municipal court system.

What This Job Offers

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