Courtroom Clerk I

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 two 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.

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.

Employee Benefits SEIU and CWA Represented Employees

Annual Leave: 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Maximum balance is 2 times annual accrual. Balance paid out upon separation. No accruals available for use until end of 520 hours of employment. Holidays: 14.5 paid holidays per year. Retirement: CalPERS retirement plan (2% at age 62) integrated with Social Security; employee contributes 7% of salary pre-tax. Medical: The Court contracts with CalPERS for a variety of health plans. For most plans Court contributions pay a large majority of the premiums for employees and dependents. Opt-Out for cash is available. Dental: Court pays for employee and dependent coverage. Vision: Court pays for employee and dependent coverage. Life Insurance: Court paid $20,000 term policy for employee only; supplemental employee-paid plan available for employee and dependents. Short Term Disability: Court paid; provides 66 2/3 of weekly salary up to maximum of $2,000 per week. Long Term Disability: Court paid; provides 66 2/3 of monthly salary up to maximum of $9,000 per month. Deferred Compensation: 457b plan available; employee voluntary deductions only. Retiree Health Program: Retirees with at least 5 years of service with our court will have a portion of their monthly CalPERS health insurance cost paid. For retirees with at least 25 years of service, the Court will pay a 100% of the premium for the lowest cost applicable CalPERS HMO or Medicare HMO insurance premium not to exceed $1,000.00 Employees must work with the Court for at least 5 years to qualify and each employee contributes 1% of their base pay on a pre-tax basis to partially fund the Court's retiree health program.