Court Clerk I

The Court Clerk I is employed in the Family Division of the Circuit Court. Under close supervision, performs a variety of general and routine clerical duties according to established policies and procedures.

The Court Clerk I is responsible for coordinating and managing virtual court hearings using Zoom. This includes preparing virtual courtrooms, admitting participants, managing technical issues, and maintaining courtroom decorum in a virtual setting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without accommodation. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• May be assigned to serve as Court Recorder, Courtroom Clerk or Judicial Secretary on as needed basis.
• Set up and manage Zoom hearings for court proceedings.
• Admit participants (judges, attorneys, litigants, witnesses, interpreters, etc.) into the virtual courtroom.
• Verify identities of participants as needed.
• Ensure proper courtroom conduct during virtual sessions (muting/unmuting, removing disruptive participants, etc.).
• Provide technical assistance to participants.
• Maintain hearing schedules and update court records as needed.
• Assist with recording or streaming proceedings, when required.
• Ensure compliance with court policies and confidentiality standards.
• Completes accurate and timely transactions in court information system relative to assigned activities.
• Provides high quality, timely and cost-effective court services and information.
• Effectively communicates with the public daily to ensure understanding of court processes, services and options for access in-person, phone and via correspondence.
• Knowledge of the principles and processes for providing exceptional customer service and the ability to communicate effectively to customers and at all times represent the Court in a positive professional manner.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including typewriter, computer, fax, copier, printer, scanner, etc. with skill and accuracy.
• Ability to operate and maintain knowledge of applicable software programs.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Ability and willingness to accept varied work assignments.
• Comply with court professional code of conduct as applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Court Administrator and direct supervision of the Probate Register and Senior Court Clerk Coordinator.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
N/A

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, EDUCATION:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform the essential functions of the position. Applicants may be required to take a written and/or other examination. An employee in this classification, upon appointment, must have the following training and experience:

• Graduation from and accredited high school (GED acceptable) required; supplemented by college coursework and/or certification in a business, legal or office administration field. Verifiable equivalent work experience may substitute for education.
• Strong skills using Microsoft Office programs including, but not limited to; Word, Excel, Access and Outlook.
• Previous professional work experience in a business or legal office desired.
• Proven customer service work experience desired.

ESSENTIAL ABILITIES FOR ALL ST. CLAIR COUNTY JOB CLASSIFICATIONS:

• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Ability to read, write & communicate in English; follow written and verbal instruction and understand basic mathematics and figure checking.
• Ability to interpret and apply procedures, rules, technical information, instructions, manuals to complete tasks accurately and on schedule.
• Ability to learn from directions, observations, and mistakes; and apply procedures using good judgement.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work independently or part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with others such as County officials, employees, vendors and the general public.
• Ability to work under supervision, receiving instructions/feedback, coaching/counseling and/or action/discipline.
• Adaptability to change in the work environment, managing competing demands and ability to deal with frequent changes, delays or unexpected events.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction
• Proficient skills using Microsoft Office programs including, but not limited to: Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook as required.   Proficiency may be tested.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Prior to starting employment, the candidate must complete a satisfactory background check.  The background check is understood to encompass all forms of pre-employment screening, including but not limited to: drug screen, physical, criminal background, driving record, sex offender registry, education, training and licensing verification, employment history, credit check, and professional and personal references.
• Possess a valid State of Michigan Operator’s License and maintain eligibility to drive as per the County’s vehicle policy throughout employment in this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations.   Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Speak to others to convey information effectively.
• Read, interpret and understand procedures, rules, technical information, instructions and manuals.
• Hear and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences. 
• Specific vision requirement includes close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception.
• Use hands to operate a computer, handle materials and operate equipment.
• Push or pull carts, reach with hands and arms forward, above and below shoulder level.
• Lift, move or carry objects, equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Sit, bend, stoop, crouch, crawl and kneel in an ergonomically correct manner.
• Stand and walk, climb stairs.
• Normal office hours are from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.
• Generally works in a normal office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate with many interruptions.