Criminal Court Clerk

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this position is to provide clerical and customer service support for the operations of the court. Success in this position contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of those operations. The work consists of related clerical and customer service duties.

• Opens, reviews, and processes mail.
• Prepares judgments, sentences, and court orders for the disposition of cases.
• Prioritizes work to ensure deadlines are met.
• Indexes information into the case management system; scans and imports images.
• Creates case files.
• Sends proposed orders to judges for signatures; processes returned and signed orders.
• Assists judges' office staff, attorneys, law enforcement officers, probation officers, and others with case information, etc.
• Maintains confidential files and records.
• Attends grand jury proceedings.
• Assists the court during trials; administers oath to witnesses, jurors, and defendants; reads verdicts; polls jurors.
• Answers telephone and greets visitors.
• Performs other duties as assigned including problem-solving and continuous process improvement.

• Accountability & Dependability – Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieves results with little oversight.
• Adaptability & Flexibility – Reacts positively to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Attention to Detail & Accuracy – Diligently attends to details and pursues quality in accomplishing tasks.
• Customer Focus – Builds and maintains customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization. 
• Development & Continual Learning – Displays an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement.
• Drive & Determination – Exhibits a positive attitude and a desire to independently operate effectively.
• Office Technology – Utilizes equipment, office software (ex. Microsoft Office), and web-based applications (ex. Benchmark, Landmark) to meet business needs.
• Stress Tolerance – Maintains composure in stressful or adverse situations. 
• Tact – Diplomatically handles challenging or tense interpersonal situations.
• Teamwork – Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables. 

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Criminal Court Supervisor assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

 GUIDELINES

Guidelines include Florida state statutes, Florida Rules of Procedure, administrative orders, county ordinances, and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific, but may require some interpretation in application.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee frequently lifts light and occasionally heavy objects. 
• The work is performed in an office.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED, supplemented by one (1) year of recent and relevant experience.
• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to meet the public and effectively address their need in a courteous, tactful, and professional manner. Possess the ability to cope with customers in impromptu situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form and possess the ability to follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers, other governmental agencies, attorneys, judges and their assistants, businesses, and members of the general public.
• Ability to use a computer terminal to enter data quickly and accurately.
• Knowledge of a wide range of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures, office equipment, and terminology.
• Ability to learn and understand specialized information, including Florida state statutes, Florida Rules of Procedure, administrative orders, codes, policies, procedures, forms, and legal terms, and to apply that knowledge in carrying out job assignments accurately and efficiently. 
• Ability to work with confidential and/or sensitive data and comply with state and federal guidelines.
• Ability to work in an environment that includes frequent interruptions and simultaneous detailed attention to multiple tasks, while maintaining speed and accuracy.
• Ability to work within time constraints and workload surges. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of an associate’s degree in a course of study related to the occupational field. 
• Three to five years of experience in a Clerk’s office environment

NOTE TO APPLICANTS:

Candidates may apply through St. Johns County’s Online Application System.

The St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller is a drug-free workplace and equal opportunity employer. All employment actions are taken without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, handicap, disability, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Candidates may apply through St. Johns County’s Online Application System. The office maintains its status as an “at-will” employer. Employees can be terminated with or without notice or cause at any time not prohibited by law.  

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

An applicant eligible for Veterans' Preference who believes he or she was not afforded employment preference in accordance with Florida law may file a complaint requesting an investigation with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, Veterans' Preference Coordinator, 11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311, Largo, FL 33778. A complaint must be filed within 60 calendar days from the date that the notice of hiring decision is received by the applicant or within three calendar months of the date the application is filed with the employer if no notice is given. If no notice is given, it is the responsibility of the preferred applicant to contact the employer to determine if the position has been filled.