Principal Court Clerk - Jefferson County

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

12/04/2024

Note: This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System.

Grade 19

The pay range for the listed pay grade varies depending on the employing agency. Click HERE and then select the desired agency to view the pay range for that employer.

JOB SUMMARY:

Principal Court Clerks are responsible for directing the clerical and financial record keeping activities of a court to ensure the efficient and correct execution of court orders, directives, and policies. Employees perform complex clerical duties to include certifying and maintaining judicial documentation, conducting research, reviewing financial information, and ensuring communication between parties. Principal Court Clerks supervise lower-level court clerical workers and support staff to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Work is completed in an office or courtroom setting and employees in this job class report to a higher-level Chief Court Clerk.

ABOUT THE PERSONNEL BOARD OF JEFFERSON COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County (Personnel Board) Merit System is responsible for ensuring fairness and merit in hiring and promotion, avoiding favoritism or political influence. Our goal is to attract and retain qualified and professional employees for the public sector. The Merit System includes a wonderfully diverse set of city governments, ranging from smaller, community-minded towns to vibrant, bustling cities. Our network consists of nearly 8,000 dedicated public servants, who want to make a positive impact on our communities. We offer many rewarding careers, from public safety and city management to IT, healthcare, skilled trades, engineering and more. 

A CAREER WITHIN THE MERIT SYSTEM:

The Merit System is unique as an individual typically only submits one application for a position (e.g., administrative clerk) and that single application can result in employment opportunities with potentially 23 different cities and agencies within Jefferson County, Alabama. These agencies range from the City of Birmingham and 16 surrounding suburban cities to the Jefferson County Commission, Department of Health, and three additional governmental agencies. In the Merit System, you can enjoy the security and benefits of a public sector job with growth potential.  Whether you're passionate about public safety, technology, or anything in between, there's a place for you in the Merit System.

ABOUT JEFFERSON COUNTY

Jefferson County, located in Central Alabama, is a beautiful region nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Jefferson County encompasses one of the 60 largest metropolitan areas in the country and the region’s low cost of living, coupled with a high quality of life have created a great place to work, play, and raise a family!

With a population of 658,466, Jefferson County is the most populous county in the state. Its county seat, Birmingham, is a wonderfully diverse city with a metropolitan area that features something for everyone. It is diversity that many believe to be Jefferson County’s greatest strength and strongest appeal. With Birmingham’s role in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s, this region has blossomed into an area that embraces, values, and celebrates diversity. Residents have an appreciation for progress and cultures, all being a unique part of the charm and character that makes this such a lively and special community.

When you arrive in the area, you immediately notice that there is an excitement about Jefferson County. It is a thriving metropolitan area encourages an innovative spirit of progress and a driving force in the region’s economic growth. Community partnerships align efforts to foster job creation and bolster the region’s competitiveness as a desirable location with a high quality of life.  Vibrant banking and educational institutions are driving forces in the metro economy. Jefferson County is home to one of largest banking centers in the southeast, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham ranks in the top 15% of all universities worldwide.  The County is also home to nationally recognized dining, world-class attractions, parks, events, and other activities to see and do. Jefferson County’s residents can walk the trails of Ruffner Mountain, the second largest urban nature Preserve in the country; frequent its many restaurant, shopping, and entertainment districts; sample wine made from local fruit along the local Wine Trail; visit the Civil Rights District; tour the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum; and visit the nationally acclaimed Alabama Symphony, among many other amenities and attractions

A CAREER WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY

Jefferson County provides vital services to the residents of the County through over 2,000 employees in 26 departments including Finance, Roads and Transportation, Information Technology, Human Resources, Land Planning, Environmental Services, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, Board of Equalization, Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, plus more. Our diverse group of employees utilizes their knowledge, skills and abilities by working together to provide quality and effective public services to our residents to ensure needs are met. Jefferson County contributes to and strengthens the quality of life of its residents for more economic prosperity!

Employment with the County provides an opportunity to work in an environment that fosters a culture of teamwork and community, promotes employee growth and development, and emphasizes accountability to fellow coworkers and the community. Jefferson County strives to provide and maintain a highly competitive compensation structure, excellent health and medical benefits, and a strong and secure retirement and pension plan, along with other employee wellness benefits and programs. Working with Jefferson County provides not only the opportunity for a productive and secure career, but also a career that provides meaning and the opportunity to truly make a difference.

To learn more about Jefferson County, please visit www.jccal.org.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To be considered for employment in this position, a candidate must possess the following:

• Valid Driver's License.

• Experience with supervisory tasks to include delegating assignments, reviewing work of coworkers and staff, and/or directing projects.

• Experience working in a legal environment (e.g., preparing legal documents, researching case law, codes, and statutes, processing subpoenas, appeals and warrants).

• Experience interpreting legal documents (e.g., mortgages, deeds, titles, purchase agreements, petitions, motions).

• Experience in legal record management (i.e., sealing, preserving, and destroying records).

• Experience in using legal software (e.g., case management, records management, filing legal documents).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred qualifications are experiences, education, and/or other job-related qualifications considered to be highly desirable by Merit System agencies. The preferred qualifications may be used by the hiring agency to identify applicants to invite to participate in subsequent selection processes.

• Experience as a Senior County/ Municipal Court Clerk.

• Experience working in two or more types of county/ municipal court systems (e.g., Probate, Family, Juvenile Probation, Child Support, Trusts, Bonds).

JOB DUTIES:

Typical job duties include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Performs various administrative activities by creating and updating files, maintaining documents, and tracking information using various forms and computer systems in order to maintain records and prepare for appointments.

• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, and providing support, feedback and/or training.

• Manages physical and electronic court data content (e.g. Landmark, Benchmark, Encourt) by editing content, updating existing or incoming data, and verifying court database submissions prior to input in order to ensure the accuracy of the content entered.

• Creates reports related to court activities by verifying and/or editing data and transposing the information into the appropriate documentation to meet the needs of the department or municipality making the request.

• Performs Magistrate duties by communicating information related to court activities and making and processing judicial decisions to provide a review of complaints of criminal conduct brought by law enforcement or the general public.   

• Conducts law research by reviewing databases, publications, websites and various forms of information (e.g., NCIC, AlaCop, Alabama Secretary of State, Westlaw) in order to prepare court documents and to verify information for accuracy.

• Assists various stakeholders (e.g., employees, governmental agencies, the general public) by communicating information (e.g., reports), serving as liaison or representative, and collaborating in order to address service requests.

• Manages departmental accounts receivable by generating and processing invoices and payments to collect and track payments and amounts owed.

• Monitors court compliance with policies, procedures, and guidelines set forth by governing entities in order to ensure that the activities of the court are performed in accordance with the policies and procedures to identify compliance risk issues in their day-to-day operations and functions.

• Coordinates court education efforts by providing instruction/training to staff and stakeholders, completing documentation related to performance, and overseeing performance using professional expertise in order to assist staff in the completion of their requirements.

• Performs ad hoc projects at the request of other departments/agencies by participating in elections and/or Family Court operations in order to provide services.

• Provides customer service to internal and/or external customers.

• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGES:

• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

• Knowledge of basic office equipment (e.g. telephone, smartphone, fax machine, copier, computer, calculator).

• Knowledge of departmental dress code policies.

• Knowledge of English language grammar, punctuation, syntax, word usage, and sentence structure.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is conducted almost exclusively indoors in an office setting. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc.  Job may require working on a computer, exposed to glare and/or PC light. Job may require working with angry/irate customers or citizens.
 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods. May involve occasional light lifting of items or objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Persons requiring special conditions to accommodate a disability when completing the application should contact the Personnel Board at 205-279-3500, Option 1, prior to the target close date.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County (Personnel Board) provides a public personnel system based on merit principles. The Personnel Board strives for the constant improvement of the public service by employing and developing the best-qualified persons available. The Personnel Board provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, political beliefs, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or genetics.

Employment decisions are made by the Merit System agency where the position exists. Each Merit System agency administers its own equal employment opportunity programs in compliance with applicable state and/or federal laws and regulations.

For more information on this job description, please visit http://www.pbjcal.org/employment/Descriptions

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.

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