Apprentice Court Clerk

**Applications are reviewed on a regular basis and hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately.  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
 0-3% Merit upon successful completion of the probationary period and 0-3% annual merit increases thereafter based upon evaluation score.
 Benefits include:                         

• Health Insurance: County provides medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and dependents with co-payment by employee dependent and/or family status.
• Vacation: Accrued at the rate of 4.6154 hours per pay period, or 120 hours per year (increase with years of service).
• Sick Leave: Earned at the rate of 3.3846 hours per pay period, or 88 hours per year.
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employee Retirement System (PERS), 29.75% employer-paid.
• Deferred Compensation: the County has a voluntary deferred compensation program.
• Douglas County is a drug, alcohol and smoke-free workplace.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Stable, friendly/family environment. Fosters internal talent with training/educational programs and encourages career advan

This position is located at the East Fork Justice Court in Minden, NV .

This position provides general judicial court clerk assistance. This is an entry-level class in the court clerk series. Under immediate supervision, performs legal clerical work of low to moderate difficulty in support of court operations, general office support functions and other related duties as required. Incumbents in this class perform a wide variety of basic legal clerical tasks while training to successfully perform as a Deputy Court Clerk within twelve (12) months. At this level, the duties performed are routine in nature and involve little discretion or interpretation. Clerks Specialty Court and may attend other sessions of court. maintain and update court case dockets. assure all court documents are placed in appropriate case files in a timely manner. may take fine and fee payments. may balance the cash drawer at end of day. assure all court files and records are maintained in an orderly manner. perform data entry of case information into the court and case management program. may assist other court personnel, and the general public. Positions in this classification are distinguished from other classifications by entry-level job functions.
 

• Provides and performs a wide variety of general clerk duties and court and office support functions.  Incumbent may also serve as a clerk for a variety of trial types including and not limited to criminal, civil, divorce, probate, paternity, child support, adoption, traffic, domestic violence, jury trials and non-jury trials.
• Researches, retrieves, and delivers file requests for the Court and general public requests. Assists the general public, customers, and/or county employees in person, by telephone and/or e-mail answering inquiries related to department services, programs, and records. researches questions, when appropriate, to provide accurate information. resolves issues and/or directs customers to the appropriate department/individual for resolution. maintains a high level of confidentiality as required by Nevada Revised Statutes.
• Receives, sorts, and processes legal documents and mail. reviews documents for sufficiency of information, conformity, jurisdiction, completeness, timeliness and all required supporting documents in accordance with prescribed filing requirements. returns unacceptable documents noting discrepancies and reasons for rejection pursuant to left side filing requirements and office policy.
• Enters into and retrieves data from automated case management tracking system. assigns applicable codes. cross references documents for future retrieval. accesses documents by using various indices. follows established procedures for updating and purging records.  Maintains motions calendars for judicial assistants and court operations specialists.  Maintains and updates clerks to do lists and other tracking items needed for maintaining office protocol.
• Determines and computes fees and fines. receives, verifies and accounts for checks, money orders, credit and cash payments made in person or by mail. may reconcile and balance monies received against transaction totals in the absence of deputy clerks.  Takes deposits to the bank.
• Explains legal filing procedures and associated fines and fees both at the counter and over the telephone. assists the general public, law enforcement agents, attorneys and their staff and other court employees with locating information, documents and other court related materials. makes referrals to other court services. directs the public on where to find forms online and explains procedures associated with filing documents with the clerks office.
• Types and prepares a variety of material such as abstracts, judgments, clerk's transcripts, declarations, notices, letters, and other legal documents into finished form. composes letters in response to requests for general information. prepares bench warrants, commitments and releases. issues subpoenas and certified copies. issues search warrants once signed by the court. checks for completeness prior to sending case file into the courtroom.
• Summons prospective jurors through written and verbal notices and distributes juror questionnaires. processes juror questionnaires upon return. responds to questions concerning jury duty responsibilities, clarifying requirements and explaining the selection process. oversees and coordinates activities of the jury assembly room and ensures the needs of prospective jurors are met. completes and processes payroll records for jurors.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 
Education and Experience:
High School Diploma, or equivalent, and three (3) year's general clerical experience preferred. 
 
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. write routine reports and correspondence. speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the County.  Must have good grammar and effective communication skills.                                                                                                              
 
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 instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.  Skill in organizing material, information, people in a systematic way to optimize efficiency and minimize duplication of effort.
 
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Basic knowledge of Nevada court procedures and legal terminology. basic understanding of managing case files for court operations and case processing is preferred but not required. knowledge of computers, and business office software applications. ability to accurately and concisely record court proceedings and compose minutes. Intermediate proficiency in planning, prioritizing and carrying out assignments with minimum supervision. intermediate skills in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands. establishing and maintaining effective working relations with Judges, attorneys, litigants, law enforcement agencies, witnesses, the public, and co-workers. 
Basic proficiency level utilizing Microsoft Office applications including Word, Outlook, and the ability to operate other standard office equipment, including telephones, calculators, copiers, FAX machines, scanners, etc. is required.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk. The employee frequently is required to stand. sit. reach with hands and arms. and perform
repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers. stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move files and or boxes containing several files and/or evidence that may be awkward, hazardous or contain biological specimen. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.  Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an office/courtroom environment where the physical demands require sitting for extended periods of time. frequent use of computers and standard office equipment. will work under stress of deadlines and with irate members of the public.  Occasionally handles emergency/crisis/chaotic situations. frequently subject to interruptions, and multiple calls and inquiries.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.                                                                                                                 
 
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
 

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background/screening.
3. Douglas County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.  All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment.  Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.

 
EMPLOYEES MUST BE ABLE TO MEET THE SPECIAL REQUIRMENTS OF THE POSITION:
 
**Tolerate exposure to: evidence and testimony that may be disturbing, such as photographs of violent scenes and victims. evidence that may include syringes, drugs, weapons and blood. defendant and witnesses who may potentially be verbally or physically abusive, allergens, such as perfumes and dust. and unpleasant odors, such as unwashed clothing, chemicals offered into evidence and unwashed people.**

This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.