Court Clerk I - Civil

This is a complex position assisting the public and court personnel with Civil Court related matters. Customer services skills include: ability to interact with the public in a friendly, positive, courteous and professional manner following the Clerk’s Office Mission, Vision and Core Values. Must maintain superior communication and follow-up skills when dealing with the public, support staff and management. Heavy computer and technical skills are essential to completing daily tasks. 

This is an in-office position and is not eligible for remote work.

• Assist with the Circuit Civil, Small Claims, Child Support, Domestic Violence, Appeals, Probate/Guardianship, Foreclosure, and Jury Services.
• Greet callers by answering all incoming calls to the Civil Court’s Division. Assists public and other court personnel over the phone with questions related to court records, access to online forms, and information on the filing of documents or directs calls to the appropriate department or agency.
• Assist the public with information on docket schedule and courtroom locations.
• Prepares dockets for court assuring all motions and other necessary information are properly filed.
• Prepares for and attends court in person or via Zoom, taking minutes, marks and controls evidence, swears in witnesses, reads verdicts, and performs other courtroom duties
• Assist the public with research requests and access to court related case file searches.
• Receives cash payments of court filing fees and prepares related reports.
• Additional duties include assisting with the scanning of documents by: organizing, preparing, and sorting documents; verifying documents for accuracy and clarity as it relates to the original. 
• Accept pleadings received by mail, in person, or via E-file; processing and filing documents as required by established and timeliness procedures. Receives pleadings and court orders, assuring that copies are distributed to the appropriate parties.
• Assist with disposing of case files from court.
• Prepares and process documents including summonses and subpoenas and other court related documents. 
• Adheres to Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller polices and office procedures.
• Other job duties as assigned.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Experience using Windows based applications and the ability to use the latest office automation technology.  Ability to pass a typing test with results of at least 35 correct words per minute.  Must possess excellent communication skills with the ability to diffuse upset and angry customers.  The qualified candidate must work cooperatively as a member of a team and work well under pressure.  

High school diploma or GED and at least one (1) year clerical experience and/or training requiring a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, preferably in a legal setting. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

A valid Florida Driver's License or Florida Identification is required for the hiring process.

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. Reasonable accommodations may 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 sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Typical office clerical environment.  Routine maintenance duties will be required when operating office equipment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.