Judicial Support Specialist-District Court-Dickinson

North Dakota Court System•Dickinson, ND

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Judicial Support Specialist provides administrative and secretarial support to a judicial officer in the District Court. The role independently carries out administrative assignments, serves as a liaison between the judicial officer and others in the court system, and creates verbatim records of district and juvenile court trials and proceedings using audio recording equipment. The specialist maintains court logs, documents appearances and significant events, and supports courtroom operations, including testing and troubleshooting courtroom technology and managing hearing software. The position edits and proofreads judicial orders, jury instructions, and other legal and non-legal documents; prepares and scans documents for the case management system; manages communications and scheduling; maintains calendars, records, and case files; and performs administrative clerking tasks. The role also involves travel to other counties for proceedings assigned to the judicial officer. Work is performed in a comfortable office environment, with limited travel and light physical demands.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent education, training, or experience demonstrating ability to perform the responsibilities.
Two years of related experience, unless an equivalent combination of education, training, or experience demonstrates the ability to perform the responsibilities.
DAR (Digital Audio Recording) certification or AAERT CER (certified electronic court reporter) certification, or ability to obtain one within six months of job entry; comparable certification from another state or federal court may be substituted.
Valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
Considerable knowledge of secretarial practices and procedures; legal terminology; business English, punctuation, and grammar; office systems, procedures, and equipment; word-processing and internet software; and court rules, procedures, and functions.
Basic knowledge of law and legal principles.
Proficiency with related software programs; recordkeeping, elementary legal research, written communication, proofreading and editorial skills; and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with personnel at all levels and the public.
Candidates selected for an interview must take typing and grammar tests.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative and secretarial support to a judicial officer and independently carry out administrative assignments.
Make verbatim audio-recorded records of district and juvenile court trials, proceedings, and other matters; maintain court logs and note appearances and significant events.
Edit and proofread judicial orders and other legal and non-legal documents for accuracy and clarity.
Type, edit, and scan orders and documents for the case management system, including preparing forms for the judicial officer's signature after hearings.
Review and proof jury instructions, discuss potential corrections with the judicial officer or legal staff, and forward final instructions to attorneys before trial.
Serve as a primary contact and liaison between the judicial officer and others in the court system; receive, review, and process communications, information requests, and correspondence.
Coordinate communications related to conflict hearings and direct attorneys and others where and when to appear when schedules overlap.
Coordinate special projects and activities, keep the judicial officer informed of their status, maintain the judicial officer's calendar, arrange appointments and meetings, and prepare travel vouchers and meeting materials.
Maintain the judicial officer's records and case files, organize records for jury and court trials, and archive or dispose of files according to court procedures.
Proofread and assist with reports, speeches, presentations, and correspondence for the judicial officer.
Provide new legal staff with information about chambers operations, judicial officer preferences, and procedures, and assist them with work activities.
Perform administrative clerking duties in the case management system, including recording hearing results, setting case time standards, updating overdue case notes, managing cases under advisement, and retrieving requested documents.
Monitor the judicial dashboard for case details as needed.
Prepare courtroom technology by checking microphones and test-recording before court; manage hearing software and participants, ensure interpreters and participants are connected, and troubleshoot technology issues.
Perform clerk duties, administer oaths, mark documents, maintain logs and forms, and transfer storage devices, files, and records to the clerk of district court.
Take court notes during hearings to identify appearances, record significant events, and locate and present prior testimony.
Travel to other counties within and outside the district for court proceedings assigned to the judicial officer.
Perform other duties of a comparable level or type, or as assigned.