This is a Court wide recruitment intended to fill 12 positions in multiple Court locations.

Under direction, to perform clerical duties in a designated courtroom of the Superior Court; to attend court sessions and prepare records of court proceedings in conformance with statutes, policies, and the direction of a Judge; to swear in witnesses and juries; to maintain exhibits offered in evidence; and to perform related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Courtroom Clerk (Range A) serves as primary clerical support for a Superior Court Judge; works closely with employees of other County departments, representatives of legal offices, and the public in matters before the court; and may provide lead work direction to clerical staff. Incumbents work independently within established yet frequently changing policies, procedures and guidelines. They perform very responsible and complex legal clerical work and must perform all required duties within frequent deadlines, time limitations, and pressure from court users and staff, requiring speed, sustained attention, and a high degree of accuracy.

Courtroom Clerk (Range B) is reserved exclusively for those positions that the appointing authority designates as lead workers with the accompanying duties of such a designation. When acting as lead worker, the Courtroom Clerk (Range B) is responsible for scheduling, assigning and training Courtroom Clerks, while at the same time performing non-supervisory work that is usually of the same kind and level as that of employees at Range A. Typically this assignment is made in the absence of a supervisory position within the unit.

Note: The following duties are performed by most incumbents, but other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

1. Serves as clerk to a Superior Court Judge in the preparation and execution of daily court calendars and/or pleadings before trial.

2. Attends court to record minutes, administer oaths, and record and file exhibits introduced.

3. Prepares minute orders, legal notices, court decisions, and other legal documents.

4. Examines legal documents presented to the court for completeness of information, accuracy, and legal format, for review by the judge, and/or official filing.

5. Receives and maintains custody during trial of all exhibits submitted in evidence, including valuables, weapons and drugs.

6. Prepares, signs, certifies and approves orders and judgments of the court; processes motions prior to and after judgment; processes the issuance of orders and writs; may prepare bench warrants and other types of criminal warrants.

7. Sends notices of court actions to a variety of parties to the court action.

8. Impanels juries; calculates jury fees and mileage fees due to jurors; calculates court reporter fees.

9. Certifies to correctness of minutes; enters proceeding in dockets.

10. Reviews and approves default judgments, commitments and work of other attaches on appeals.

11. Prepares and maintains a variety of correspondence and reports, including statistical reports.

12. Informs parties having business with the court procedures.

13. Coordinates court's activities with Master Calendar Office.

14. Assures all parties are present, including jurors, counsel, and litigants, before proceeding; processes and distributes juror attendance verification.

15. Arranges appointments and meetings for Judge; maintains files and records; and may provide a variety of other clerical support for a Judge.

16. Provides lead direction to clerical staff in the preparation of court filings, records and reports.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR THOSE COURTROOM CLERK POSITIONS AT RANGE B

1. Provides lead direction for Courtroom Clerks; assists in scheduling and assigning work; sets priorities; reviews work.

2. Trains and instructs staff in work methods and procedures; prepares training manuals and materials.

3. Provides input into selection decisions, performance evaluations and disciplinary matters.

4. Provides assistance to staff in resolving difficult work problems; researches and resolves difficult problems and questions.

5. Advises managers of staffing needs or operational problems and recommends changes in policies and procedures.

A typical way of obtaining the required knowledge and abilities is equivalent to:

Courtroom Clerk (Range A):

Experience: Three (3) years experience preparing or processing legal documents, forms, and/or records used for court proceedings.

Substitution: Completion of course work from a law school or major course work from an accredited college, university, business school or training school in a field that is related to the knowledge and abilities specified for this classification (30 semester units or 45 quarter units equal one year of experience); or completion of a legal assistant certificate program from an accredited business school, college or university may be substituted for the required experience up to one (1) year.

Courtroom Clerk (Range B):

Experience: Two (2) years of experience performing the duties of a Courtroom Clerk.

Knowledge of:
Legal terminology; California statutes related to Superior court procedures such as the Civil Code of Procedure, Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, Rules of Court, and related procedures; legal process forms; office methods such as how to prepare correspondence, reports and statistical summaries; English grammar, spelling, and punctuation; basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Ability to:
Type at a rate of not less than 45 net words per minute from clear copy; understand, interpret, explain and follow laws, procedures and policies involved in processing court cases; maintain accurate and complete records of court proceedings and related matters; organize, prioritize, and complete work assignments with minimal supervision and under time constraints; compose correspondence independently; establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, coworkers, parties to proceedings, and the public; operate standard office machines and equipment such as a typewriter, work processing, computer terminal, printer, telephone equipment, etc.; read, write and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job satisfactory job performance.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A COURTROOM CLERK (RANGE B):
Leadwork experience/skills

Must be able to pass a criminal history background check.

The following is an explanation of the benefits, which apply to those employed in regular or limited-term positions:

Vacation: Vacation with pay varies depending upon the employee representation unit. New employees typically earn 10 days per year and accrual rates normally increase according to years of service.

Holidays: The Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento recognizes 14 holidays and 2 floating holidays per year.

Sick Leave: Employees accrue 4.6 hours per bi-weekly pay period, equivalent to 15 days per year.

Parental Leave: Employees with at least 1 year of service are eligible for paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.

Retirement: Employees are covered by the Sacramento County Employee's Retirement System (SCERS) and Social Security.

Group Health Insurance: The Court offers several choices of employee and dependent health insurance coverage, with a significant portion paid by the employer.

Dental and Vision Services Plan: Employee and dependent dental and vision insurance plans are provided at no cost.

Life Insurance: Basic employee life insurance is provided at no cost to the employee with additional optional life insurance available at the employee's cost.

Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending Accounts: The ability to deduct a portion of your salary before taxes to apply toward medical expenses and/or child care expenses.

Deferred Compensation: The Court offers a Deferred Compensation Program.

Sacramento Credit Union: The credit union offers loan facilities and systematic savings plans through payroll deduction.

Tuition Reimbursement: The Court reimburses up to $2,400.00 dollars of an employee's educational expenses as outlined in its Tuition Reimbursement policy.

Long Term Disability: A Long Term Disability (LTD) plan is provided at no cost to employees.

Transit Subsidy: The Court provides a transit subsidy to eligible employees based on current policy.