Courtroom Clerk I

The Courtroom Clerk I is open to both internal and external candidates. This is an entry-level position in this series. Incumbents receive training in courtroom procedures and initially assist an experienced Courtroom Clerk during trials and hearings to learn how to prepare minutes for court proceedings. Work is closely supervised until the incumbent has gained proficiency in the role. We are currently recruiting for the Courtroom Clerk position, offering a great opportunity for individuals seeking experience in legal procedures while performing various clerical tasks.

 Recruitment Process:

1. After the recruitment period ends, an exam will be scheduled for all applicants.
2. Applicants who successfully pass the exam will be placed on an eligible list for up to one year for external candidates and 2 years for internal candidates.
3. As positions become available, applicants on the eligible list will be invited for an interview.
4. Positions may be based at either the Watsonville or Santa Cruz Courthouse.

Example of Duties:

• Attend court sessions to record minutes of all proceedings.
• Administer oaths and manage exhibits during trials, including valuables, weapons, and drugs, ensuring proper custody.
• Notify the Jury Commissioner of trial dates and request jurors.
• Impanel juries and maintain attendance records for jurors during trials.
• Calculate and collect fees and fines.
• Prepare various legal documents related to court judgments, including minute orders, probation orders, verdicts, commitments, and abstracts.
• Review legal documents submitted to the court for completeness, accuracy, and proper legal format for judge review and official filing.
• Verify that all necessary documents are present and ready in case files before court dates.
• Advise new and visiting judicial officers on county-specific procedures and local standard sentences.
• Prepare, issue, and recall bench warrants and send notices of court actions.
• Record Grand Jury indictments and manage court calendars, including hearings, continuances, and special settings in coordination with the master calendar clerk.
• Track statistics for all hearings and trials.
• Use computer terminals to input and access case data.
• Answer phone calls, take messages, and notify attorneys of hearing dates.
• Prepare prospective verdicts for jury trials.
• Maintain and prepare records, reports, and correspondence.
• Provide training and technical direction to other staff members.
• May serve as temporary relief for other positions as needed, including providing vacation coverage.

Qualifications:
 Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities is acceptable, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the necessary qualifications includes:

• Two years of legal clerical experience processing legal documents, forms, or records related to court proceedings; or
• Possession of a paralegal certificate.

Completion of coursework from a law school or major coursework from an accredited college, university, or business school in a related field may be substituted on a month-to-month basis for up to six months of the required two years of experience.
 Background Investigations: Fingerprinting is required.

Courtroom Clerk I will have a thorough knowledge of:

• Office procedures and practices.

Working knowledge of:

• English grammar, spelling and punctuation;
• Basic arithmetic including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; and
• Legal terminology, forms and documents.

Some knowledge of:

• California statutes related to Superior Court procedures such as the Civil Code of Procedure, Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Welfare Code and Institutions Code, and Rules of Court.