(Temporary) Judicial Assistant

Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida•Miami, FL

About The Position

The Judicial Assistant provides administrative and clerical support to a division or to an assigned county or circuit court judge’s office. The work is often sensitive and confidential and requires initiative, good judgment, professionalism, a strong work ethic, organization, follow-through, multitasking, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. The Judicial Assistant must observe high standards of conduct and regularly interacts with judges, court and justice-system personnel, attorneys, witnesses, news media, and the public. Assignments are coordinated through the Administrative Office of the Courts Human Resources Division. Work is performed under the immediate supervision of the assigned judicial officer or Division Director. The position’s salary is non-negotiable, and the successful candidate will be hired at the minimum salary. The work is performed in a business office setting with moderate noise. Physical demands include substantial standing, walking, sitting, talking, listening, and reaching with the hands and arms, and the ability to transfer up to 10 pounds.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years of college or vocational-school education in paralegal studies, secretarial studies, computer operations, or a closely related field.
Three years of related experience.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Ability to treat individuals under stress with courtesy, tact, and patience.
Ability to handle sensitive matters with integrity and confidentiality.
Thorough knowledge of business English, spelling, and punctuation.
Excellent legal-secretarial, administrative, and typing skills.
Working knowledge of trial-court rules and procedures.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including personal computers, word-processing software, and case-management data-entry applications.
Excellent software knowledge, including Microsoft Office 365 applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Zoom; courtMap; Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS); Odyssey; E-Filing; and Mocha.
Ability to organize and coordinate schedules for individuals and groups on the court calendar.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, take initiative, recognize priorities, and establish work priorities.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including transferring up to 10 pounds.

Responsibilities

Screen telephone calls and visitors for the judge’s office; provide information, resolve issues, direct people to appropriate personnel or agencies, or take messages.
Serve as the judge’s liaison by assisting and informing litigants, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, and witnesses about court procedures and policies.
Work with attorneys and litigants to resolve scheduling conflicts and other case-related issues.
Perform clerical tasks, including reviewing and responding to mail, data entry, ordering supplies, maintaining files and records, faxing, and photocopying.
Review case files for accuracy, format compliance, and completeness before scheduled hearings.
Prepare and manage the judge’s court and professional calendar, including scheduling motions, pre-trial hearings, trials, conferences, and committee meetings.
Provide organizational support for the judge’s caseload, including preparing orders, docketing jury instructions and pending-case lists, instructing jurors, and coordinating services such as interpreters.
Maintain trial dockets, continuances, and trial orders, and assist attorneys with motion-filing procedures and hearing-date scheduling.
Compose and edit confidential correspondence, memoranda, notices, orders, reports, emails, and other documents.
Prepare annual financial disclosure forms, make travel arrangements, and process travel vouchers.
Research hearing-date information for other agencies and prepare notices of hearings for cases placed on the judge’s calendar.
May conduct limited case-law research using an electronic database such as LexisNexis.
Attend technical or professional workshops and seminars to improve professional skills.
Perform other related work as required.