Justice Clerk

Hays County•Buda, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Justice Clerk performs a variety of administrative and accounting support functions for a Hays County Justice of the Peace. The work involves preparing and processing forms and orders involving the filing and disposition of various small claims and civil claims, and criminal and traffic cases, as well as accepting cash and checks and issuing receipts daily. This position may also encompass the duties of a court clerk as needed. This Justice Clerk affects the accuracy, reliability and acceptability of further processes and services and serves a fast growing and large population in a high-volume office. Individuals in this position serve at the pleasure of the current elected official.

Requirements

Requires High School Diploma or equivalent.
Requires three years as a county court clerk or related experience.
Exceptional knowledge of Hays County Justice Court regulations, policies, and procedures.
Exceptional knowledge of federal, state, and local laws related to traffic, criminal procedure, civil procedures, family code, penal code juvenile laws and plumbing license laws.
Exceptional knowledge of basic arithmetic and algebra including add, subtract, multiply, divide, interest, decimals and percents.
Exceptional knowledge of court clerk procedures and processes.
General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems.
General knowledge of modern business office practices and procedures.
General knowledge of public administration principles and practices including employee supervision and training.
Exceptional skill in money handling.
Exceptional skill in performing court clerk procedures and processes.
Exceptional skill in reading, understanding, and following state and local laws related to traffic criminal procedure, civil procedure, family code, penal code, juvenile laws, and plumbing license laws.
Exceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, supervisors, vendors, outside agencies, and the public.
Exceptional skill in customer service.
Exceptional skill in reception, telephone etiquette and customer relations.
General skill in basic bookkeeping and report preparation.
General skill in documenting, reading, understanding, and maintaining various records.
General skill in operating standard office equipment, such as personal computers, calculators, and telephones.
General organizational skills.
General skill in project and task management, including performing multiple functions simultaneously.
General skill in expressing oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
General skill in training new employees while reviewing and correcting work.
General skill in MS Windows Excel.
General skill in typing 50 wpm.
General project management skills.
General skill in multi-tasking with includes problem solving, communication, adaptability and critical thinking.
Exception skill in maintaining confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Court Clerk Certification received through Texas Justice Court Training School preferred.
Bilingual Proficiency in English/Spanish preferred.
Ability to obtain Notary Public Certification.
Ability to maintain continuing education requirements for the State of Texas.

Responsibilities

Performs and processes a variety of official documents such as citations, judgements, warrants, complaints, affidavits, routine reports. subpoenas, notices, jury lists, and form letters.
Maintains court dockets; sets court dates, hearings, and trials, including jury trials.
Coordinates court dates with attorneys and law enforcement officials.
Assists the Judge in courtroom by providing information and ensuring information is accurate for cases.
Collects fines and issues receipts.
Enters case records and orders into computer system.
Prepares case files for court hearings by preparing judgments, warrants and complaints.
Performs and assists in the training of employees in procedures such as preparing and processing forms and orders involving the filing and disposition of civil claims, and criminal traffic cases. These cases may include hot check cases, nuisance violations, evictions, animal control, class c assaults cases, occupational license hearings, juvenile/parent violations and school truancy cases.
Accepts and records pleas.
Performs transactions related to citations, warrants, pleas, magistrate's orders, and time-served requests.
Manages a cash drawer at high-volume window, balances drawer and prepares deposits.
Approves installment payment agreements based on established criteria.
Receives and processes payment of fees/fines, issues receipts and records dispositions.
Assists customers in person and on the telephone, explaining procedures, fines, and forms.
Prepares and transmits documentation to recall warrants and disseminates notifications.
Approves and provides required information for defensive driving courses.
Receives and processes citations from law enforcement officials and agencies.
Prepares and sends form letters.
Serves as liaison or primary point of contact with defendants, plaintiffs, judges, court personnel, constable officers, attorney’s, county and district attorney offices and law enforcements agencies.
Assists Judge with inquest inquiries from funeral homes, medical examiners, tissue/organs businesses, families, and officers.
Processes evictions, small claims, debt claims, writs, motions, subpoenas, orders, judgments, and abstract judgments.
Performs receptionist duties, which involves greeting customer, answering telephone, responding to inquiries, taking messages, and making appointments.
Performs routine office duties such as notarizing documents, witnessing signatures on oaths and affidavits, copying, and filing and maintaining documents.
Performs other duties as assigned.