Lead Court Clerk

This classification provides lead direction to and plans, organizes, and coordinates the work of Court Clerk staff; provides training, consultation and leadership to division staff; performs a variety of complex case processing, judicial support, legal document review and processing, and courtroom clerical functions requiring advanced knowledge of court and legal processes; provides customer service over the phone and in person; and performs other duties as assigned.

The following duties are typical of those performed by the incumbent in this classification.  However, other duties may also be required. 

• Plans, assigns, schedules, trains, and assists in directing the work of Court Clerk personnel.  
• Trains staff in legal terminology and procedures, document processing, courtroom duties, document preparation and calendar duties; reviews work in progress and upon completion. 
• Assigns or personally performs the more complex preparation and processing of legal documents; receives legal documents through a variety of sources, including electronically, by mail and in-person;  examines legal documents for completeness and conformity to requirements; processes acceptable documents according to established procedures; returns unacceptable documents; maintains court files and archives; retrieves and delivers files and documents to appropriate parties; advises judges on sufficiency of filings. 
• Provides information regarding court policies and procedures; answers inquiries pertaining to court records and provides assistance to the public in accessing court services and programs. 
• Verifies, enters, retrieves, corrects, and updates information in the automated case management system.
• Determines, accepts and records filing fees, fines, forfeitures, and bails; makes appropriate entries in case management system; balances cash drawers. 
• Facilitates and records jury selection proceedings; administers oaths to witnesses; marks, inventories, maintains and disposes of exhibits.
• Prepares notices, forms, documents, reports, and correspondence; processes mail; copies legal documents.
• Prepares and issues legal orders such as warrants, writs, orders, subpoenas, abstracts, and other official documents on behalf of the court; recalls warrants, exonerates bail; prepares judgments and dismisses or seals cases in accordance with established codes and court procedures.
• May act as Deputy Jury Commissioner
• Acts as court liaison with various legal personnel, county departments and other local and state agencies. 
• Assists with proper case flow management to provide efficiency and adherence to delay reduction standards; assists in the coordination of courtrooms, bench officers, and staff, and other matters affecting court calendars. 
• May prepare or assist in the preparation of statistical reports and correspondence to various reporting agencies. 
• Attends court sessions performing all manner of courtroom clerk duties, including preparation of minutes and official records of court proceedings.  
• Maintains and updates court records and statistics; monitors workflow and makes recommendations to management regarding personnel assignments. 
• Assists in the design and implementation of training programs, procedures manuals and policies; trains other court personnel in a wide variety of matters relating to court operations. 
• Serves as subject expert in area of assignment, assisting management in the development of operational policies and procedures in response to judicial requests, workload necessity or legislative action.

Knowledge of: 

• Applicable rules and statutes relative to California trial court functions and procedures 
• Court methods and practices; advanced legal terminology and document processing 
• Courtroom activities and procedures 
• Modern office equipment including computers
• Computer software applications including word processing and spreadsheet programs
• Modern office practices such as filing, records maintenance, preparing correspondence and reports 
• Basic mathematical computations 
• Modern adult learning techniques and methodologies 
• Code of Ethics for California Court Employees 
• Principles of proper business English including grammar, spelling, and punctuation 
• Basic public contact and customer service techniques
• Cash handling and cash drawer balancing techniques

Ability to:  

• Provide direction and training to  Court Clerk staff 
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations based on findings
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines 
• Prepare clear, concise, and grammatically correct reports and correspondence
• Analyze new and amended legislation, codes, statutes and rules of court and develop process and procedural responses as appropriate 
• Safeguard sensitive information and maintain confidentiality 
• Type and perform data entry quickly and accurately, including minutes of court proceedings
• Maintain appropriate courtroom decorum; maintain composure and professional demeanor while dealing with difficult or upset individuals
• Review documents for accuracy, completeness, and conformity with legal requirements
• Effectively multi-task and prioritize work and meet deadlines 
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills 
• Work cooperatively and interact tactfully with the public, justice partners, Court employees, judicial officers and with others contacted in the course of work
• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing; understand and follow through with written and verbal instructions 
• Work effectively and cooperatively on various court committees, task forces and focus groups while maintaining general operational responsibilities 
• Effectively train, mentor and coach other court employees to develop competency in case related and other operationally necessary tasks
• Operate a variety of office equipment including desktop computers 
• Make basic arithmetical calculations with speed and accuracy
• Accurately count cash and balance daily receipts 
• Understand, explain, and apply laws, rules, and regulations
• Work rapidly and accurately under pressure; work in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful, environment
• Travel between Court facilities when required

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Three (3) years of experience as a Court Clerk II in the Superior Court of California, County of Butte or a Senior Court Clerk for any length of time.

Additional Information   

Criminal History Requirement: Candidates are required to pass a criminal history background check.

License Requirement: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required or the ability to provide alternate transportation that meets job requirements.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. 

Personal mobility to work in various office settings, locations and in confined work spaces; manual dexterity to use computers and standard office equipment; ability to lift and carry items occasionally weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds; pushing objects weighing up to 200 pounds and pulling objects weighing up to 100 pounds; physical ability to sit for extended periods of time; stoop, reach overhead, bend, crawl, climb stairs and occasionally climb ladders to access equipment; vision which can be corrected to a level sufficient to read hand-written, typed and computer generated information and data, as well as computer terminal displays; hearing and speech ability sufficient to enable communication by telephone and in person.  

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of this classification, the following work environment characteristics are representative of the environment an employee will encounter. 

Incumbents will perform work inside of buildings, in an office environment and in a controlled environmental facility, with little exposure to outdoor temperatures, dirt, or dust.  The working conditions are typically quiet but may be loud at times at some locations and will require working alone or closely with others.  The noise level and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy office. This role requires heavy use of a computer or laptop, including keyboard and mouse, and routine use of other standard office equipment.

Travel to visit other branches within the county, or neighboring counties, and travel to attend professional meetings and trainings in and outside of the county may be required on a frequent basis.

Normal court business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Projects, maintenance work, and other position duties which impact court operations may necessitate this position working beyond normal business hours or on the weekend.  Alternate work shifts may occur.

Disclaimer: This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an incumbent assigned to this job classification.  It is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of incumbents so classified.

Reasonable accommodations may be available to a qualified individual with a disability which will enable them to perform the essential functions of the classification.

Application Process

Please submit a complete online application, including responses to the required supplemental questions, at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/buttecourt.  Applications will not be accepted by other means.

This recruitment will remain open until May 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM.  The best-qualified candidates will be selected to advance to an interview.