Courtroom Clerk

Summary

The Courtroom Clerk works in the divisions of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and is responsible for managing courtroom operations and specialized calendars.

This announcement will create a 6-month roster for Superior Court Courtroom Clerk vacancies.

The starting salary will be a Grade 7 unless you are currently in the Federal or DC Government and are considered a transfer.

If you previously applied for a Courtroom Clerk posting, you must reapply for consideration.

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Duties

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The Courtroom Clerk will be expected to perform the following duties in a timely and competent manner, exercise sound and professional judgment, work independently and cooperatively, and communicate in a clear and courteous manner.

• Provides accurate case information and assistance in a prompt and courteous manner.
• Manages courtroom operations to ensure that appropriate personnel and parties are present for proceedings and that the courtroom is ready prior to calling the judge into the courtroom; calls the courtroom to order as needed.
• Administers oaths to jurors, witnesses, and interpreters; takes notes and generates necessary paperwork in accordance with the rulings of the courts; inputs data as needed to ensure complete and accurate court records.
• Assists the jury selection process by conducting roll calls of jurors, recording the number of strikes taken by each attorney, maintaining a list of all jurors selected, and communicating with the Juror Office, as required.
• Submits requests and ensures the presence of language access interpreters and court reporters.
• Accurately maintains the official court record of court proceedings in a timely manner; prepares minutes and records appearances of court participants.
• Receives, marks, maintains records, and temporarily assumes custody of evidence and exhibits until returned to the filer.
• Enters case dispositions, judgments, postponements, fines, and costs ordered by the judge into the court's case management system.
• Prepares judicial orders, bench warrants, commitments, judgments, notices, and other court documents and forms as required, directed, or pursuant to the court's ruling and provides copies to parties in compliance with the business processes and standard operating procedures.
• Acts as a primary liaison to the assigned judicial officer for purposes of conducting proceedings, provides technical assistance and serves as an administrative resource in the courtroom.
• Participates in training to ensure professional development and competency to provide services in all case types; assists in cross-training co-workers as needed or directed.
• Provides coverage for courtrooms and calendars in other divisions and offices as needed.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

A background check and security investigation is required.

A probationary period of one year (1) is required for all new court employees.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED plus three (3) years of administrative or clerical experience in a court, legal, or office environment; or an associate's degree plus one (1) year of administrative or clerical experience in a court, legal, or office environment.

Some familiarity with the criminal judicial system, judicial branch, or legal terminology is preferred.

Proficient experience in the use of technology, including Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe.

Must possess the ability to: multitask, work well with a diverse group of people, accurately type in real time while monitoring a proceeding, pay attention to detail, be attentive, organized, and able to work under pressure.

The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts' values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.

Education

To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here:

Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.

Please note that there is a mandatory one-year probationary period for all new court employees.

All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.

This announcement may be used to fill anticipated vacancies. Selection certificates may be issued and used for up to six (6) months following the close date of the announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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This is not a federal position.

The District of Columbia Courts is an independent branch of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.

Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:

The DC Courts leave policy is as follows:

Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three (3) years of service, this increases to six (6) hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight (8) hours biweekly. Most military, federal, and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.

Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption-related purposes. Full-time employees earn four (4) hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.

In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as a commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month. There are 26 pay periods in the year.