Court Clerk I

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To support the vision, mission and guiding principles of the City and Court Services department.
• While performing any procedure, all associates and contract personnel must observe applicable Safety, Health, and Environmental rules and guidelines. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment is required.
• Attend and participate in training opportunities and seminars relevant to this position.
• Adhere to appropriate City operating procedures, benefit rules, employment, and safety policies/practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists during Municipal Court sessions to ensure the orderly and efficient operation of the Municipal Court process as needed.
• Prepares court calendars
• Provides clerical support by answering and directing phone calls, assists at the front counter, distributes paperwork and information; documents court orders, and files paperwork.
• Enters citations into the appropriate computer system and submits to the State of Georgia, runs criminal and driver history reports for each individual that receives a citation.
• Accepts fees and fines, completes receipts and posts payments for traffic fines, restitution of payments, and other payments authorized by court order.
• Maintains case files on incidents and arrests, assigns file numbers, constructs new case files, transfers cases to the appropriate agency.
• Responds to front window, telephone, and written inquiries.
• Provides assistance and information to attorneys, agencies, City staff, and the general public on court procedures and the status of cases.
• Records receipts and deposits payments according to established court procedures.
• Processes and prepares bonding company and rttorney Resets.
• Maintains case files, constructs new case files and numbers; transfers cases to the appropriate agency.
• Validates and records receipts and deposits payments according to established court procedures.
• Any other duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE:

• Job has recurring work situations involving moderate degrees of discretion.  The need for accuracy and effective utilization of accepted programs and procedures is high.  Errors in judgment and execution will waste time and resources adversely impacting unit performance.  Incumbent operates independently but work is verified by supervision.

Supervisory Controls:  The Court Administrator assigns work in terms of departmental goals and objectives.  The work is reviewed in terms of effectiveness of meeting objectives.

Guidelines:  Guidelines include City and Departmental policies and procedures, City Codes and Ordinances, Federal, State, and Local laws, and GCIC Rules and Regulations. 

COMMUNICATIONS/CUSTOMER CONTACT:

Contacts are typically with co-workers, attorneys, judges, solicitors, other law enforcement agencies, and the general public. Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, provide services, resolve conflicts, and solve problems.

COMPETENCIES/SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING PREFERRED:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED; supplemented by three (3) years of previous experience in court procedures and records  management, legal office work, office administration, customer service, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain valid Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Terminal Operator certification within ninety days of hiring.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree with two years of college coursework from an accredited college or university in criminal justice or related field preferred.
• One year Georgia Municipal Court experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of the practices and procedures involved in law enforcement record keeping and confidentiality;
• Knowledge of City policies, procedures, codes, ordinances and applicable State, federal, and Local laws;
• Knowledge of GCIC rules and regulations;
• Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, equipment, and standard clerical procedures;
• Knowledge of basic bookkeeping practices;
• Knowledge of basic math and accounting practices;
• Knowledge of appropriate contacts for related police and court issues;
• Skill in operating a computer and entering data into a database;
• Ability to operate GCIC to run criminal and driving history reports;
• Ability to read and comprehend various technical reports and legal terminology;
• Ability to handle confidential information;
• Ability to handle stressful situations;
• Ability to communicate with confrontational people;
• Ability to maintain accurate records;
• Ability to type and enter data correctly;
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records;
• Ability to prepare monthly reports;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Ability to organize and prioritize work and appropriately schedule court activities.

Equipment and Applications:

• Computers and peripheral equipment
• Designated software applications
• Telephones, copiers and other office equipment

JOB CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands: Visual acuity in both eyes, normal color vision, good accommodation and no field deficits; hear in-person, radio and telephone conversations; recognize differences or changes in sound patterns, loudness or pitch; speak audibly and clearly; identify and distinguish smells of different materials; sit or stand for prolonged periods; walk, run, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch; make precise and coordinated finger, hand and limb movements; maintain uniform, controlled hand-arm posture or movement; lift and carry boxes of evidence and/or supplies (average 50 pounds).