Courtroom Clerk - Silver Spring, MD - Military veterans preferred

The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans. Telework, up to 2 days per week, may also be available. Telework eligibility is based on job functions and the approval of the Administrative Head.

Essential Job Functions:  

The Courtroom Clerk position is experienced clerical work performed within a courtroom, including preparing assigned courtroom for the day, assisting the judge with the docket, operating the recording system, preparing paperwork for signatures, and entering the judge's findings in the case management system. Print reports and balance monies due. Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Prepares the courtroom for the day's scheduled trials by placing the docket, all necessary paperwork, and case files on the judge's bench.

Administers oaths to witnesses and interpreters; takes notes and generates necessary paperwork in accordance with the rulings of the courts; updates all court files to include civil, criminal, and family cases and inputs data as needed to complete court files.

Ensures that proceedings of court activity are recorded in a clear, concise, and legible manner to be used for permanent docket.

Tests all courtroom equipment for proper operation.

Ensures that all parties are present and in the courtroom prior to calling the judge into the courtroom.

Calculates all court costs and fees and issues bills.

Enters case dispositions, judgments, postponements, fines, and costs ordered by the judge into the court's case management system.

Records and enters key points for records of each case

Generates and reviews paperwork for each case before giving to the judge for signature.

Prepares all necessary paperwork, such as probation forms, restitution forms, fingerprint forms, community service forms, deferred payment forms, judgment sheets, commitments, and releases

Assembles and forwards paperwork completed during court to the appropriate agency. Parole and Probation, Detention Centers, Law Enforcement Agencies, Sheriff's Office, depending on action required.

Generates and verifies end of session reports for bail reviews.

Reviews case files for accuracy, completeness, and required signatures.

Records judge's bench time on proper form.

Provides administrative assistance to Judges and Commissioner's, as required.

Assists with other clerical functions when not assigned to the courtroom.

May require unscheduled overtime, as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

High School diploma (or GED equivalent).

Experience:

Two (2) years of work experience, to include one (1) year in court operations or in the fields of criminal justice, parole and probation, legal or financial services.

Note:

A Bachelor's Degree may substitute the required work experience. 

A Paralegal/Associates Degree or 60 college credits may substitute the required work experience. 

A Paralegal Certificate may substitute the required work experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: 

Court forms, practices, procedures, protocols, systems, and equipment required to support the specialized work of the assigned unit(s). 

Legal terminology and court procedures. 

Judicial policies, procedures, and forms. 

Basic English and arithmetic to include, but not limited to, spelling, punctuation, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Skill in: 

Operation of recording equipment, computer terminals, and related software. 

Typing on a personal computer. 

Managing priorities to meet critical deadlines while multitasking.

Ability to:  

Acquire knowledge of Maryland Judiciary procedures, rules, practices, regulations, and jurisdictional courts.

Make work decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, rules, and Judiciary policies and procedures. 

Apply job-related terminology, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws to define problems, collect data, establish facts, record data, appropriately complete forms, and provide information to customers. 

Communicate clearly, tactfully, and effectively with judges, the public, police agencies, attorneys, and other   court officials and personnel, both verbally and in writing. 

Follow procedures, verbal and written instructions, and protocols for any given assignment. 

Multitask, adjust to situations quickly, set priorities, and handle pressure in a fast-paced environment. 

Work within time constraints, meet fixed deadlines, and demonstrate good organizational skills. 

Handle sensitive or difficult situations requiring discretion and confidentiality. 

Understand and carry out complex verbal and written instructions. 

Pay attention to detail. 

Exercise tact, diplomacy, and impartiality in dealing with the public, law enforcement personnel, and   attorneys. 

Use and maintain alphabetical and numerical filing systems. 

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, superiors, and/or the general public.

Physical Requirements:

Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Software and Computer Skills:

CourtSmart operational practices and systems 

Microsoft Office Suite to include, but not limited to, WordPerfect, Outlook, Word and Excel 

DV courtroom, Wizard and Office 

Clerks Assistant Central Clerk, Civil Label and Civil Assistant

MDEC, Odyssey, and File & Serve

Selection Process:

Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, you must list each position that you held, the length of time that you held each position, and the corresponding duties. Description of duties that state, "see resume" will negatively impact consideration for this position. Applicants will not be contacted for additional information. Only applicants considered for this position will be contacted.

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

For further information please contact Talent Acquisition at aocta@mdcourts.gov.

The Maryland Judiciary is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. Applicants who need an ADA Accommodation during the application and/or interview process should send their via email to or call 410-260-1732. The Maryland Judiciary is a drug-free workplace. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States.

Please find the Maryland Judiciary's equal employment opportunity policy here: .