First Assistant Clerk Magistrate - Berkshire Superior Court

Job Description

Job Description

Title: First Assistant Clerk Magistrate – Berkshire County Superior Court

Pay Grade: 1st Asst. Clerk

Starting Pay: $145,734.28

Departmental Mission Statement: The Superior Court, the trial court of general jurisdiction for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is committed to delivering high quality justice in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the rule of law.

Notes:

• Preferred candidates will have both civil & criminal experience.
• Pursuant to Mass General Laws, chapter 221, section 4, the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court shall appoint the First Assistant Clerk in Hampden Superior Court, for a term of three years from the date of their appointment. The 3-year term is renewable.  

Position Summary: This position involves responsible legal work and supervisory responsibilities. The employee in this position assists the Clerk of Court’s in performing administrative duties as set forth in state statutes and court rules. Administrative responsibilities include the preparation and maintenance of all court papers and records and performance of administrative tasks to ensure that cases move rapidly and smoothly to a determination by the court. Work is performed under the direction of the Clerk of Court (or Clerk-Magistrate as appropriate).

Supervision Received:  Supervision is exercised over Assistant Clerks and support personnel within the Clerk of Courts' Office (or Clerk-Magistrate's Office as appropriate).

Duties: (Any one position may not include all of the duties listed below nor do the listed examples include all tasks which may be found in these positions.)

• Provides oversight of the daily operation of the Clerk's Office under the direction of the Clerk of Court (or Clerk-Magistrate as appropriate);
• In consultation with the Clerk of Court (or Clerk-Magistrate as appropriate) and the Regional Administrative Justice, assigns assistant clerks to sessions and assigns them to perform other duties to meet the needs of the Office;
• Assists judge with general management and operation of session and provides continuity on case management;
• Responsible for calendaring and regulating movement of cases pursuant to time standards and relevant tracking orders;
• Maintains docket record of events and schedules on automated case management system; Schedules and attends hearings, conferences, and trials and notifies counsel and others;
• Records and maintains complete and accurate minutes of all orders, judgments, or directions of the court;
• Assists judge with empanelment of jurors, the trial, and the taking and affirmation of verdict;
• Administers oaths as required;
• Marks, receives, and appropriately maintains exhibits in jury and jury waived proceedings;
• Assists judge with conducting telephone and video conferences;
• Prepares judgments and other orders at direction of judge;
• Responds to attorney and pro se inquiries regarding scheduling and other matters;
• Maintains, prepares, and organizes case files;
• Organizes and collects papers and files for motion hearings and other conferences;
• Monitors and maintains electronic recordation of court proceedings as required;
• Receives and examines all papers, exhibits, briefs, and transcripts from court-related matters to establish suitability for initial filing including compliance with rules of court.
• Provides assistance at the counter, including answering questions from the public and from attorneys on court procedure;
• Assembles, certifies, and transmits copies of records when properly requested by other courts and parties;
• Issues process as required by the court;
• Accepts and records all fees, bail, and other monies received;
• Attends hearings held outside the courtroom (e.g., in hospitals when medical authorities seek the court's permission to perform necessary medical procedures);
• Exercises supervision over Assistant Clerks and support personnel in the Clerk's Office as appropriate;
• Participates in educational seminars and programs;
• Receives documents such as letters or pro se petitions from prisoners, communicates with them at the direction of the court and draws orders appointing counsel at the direction of the court;
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES :
• Thorough knowledge of state statutes, case law and court rules which prescribe the powers and duties of the Clerk-Magistrate and ability to interpret and apply them to the administrative procedures of the office;
• Thorough knowledge of court procedure, legal documents, laws, and legal factors pertaining to the court;
• Thorough knowledge of the organization, functions, jurisdiction, and authority of the court;
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer software such as MS Office, including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and PowerPoint;
• Ability to maintain complex and accurate court records.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;
• Good communication skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with court officials, attorneys, subordinate employees, government agencies and the general public.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of First Assistant Clerk.

• A law degree and admission to the practice of law in Massachusetts and knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through 4 or more years of relevant work experience, including legal or supervisory experience.