Court Clerk

Municipal Court Clerk

The City of Bozeman is now accepting applications for a Municipal Court Clerk who supports the effective operation of the Bozeman Municipal Court by performing essential case processing, financial, and courtroom support duties and who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

This is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by joining the City of Bozeman! You will be part of a passionate team driving positive change while enjoying a fantastic benefits package. Full-time City of Bozeman employees receive top-tier benefits including 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 12 holidays, 8 weeks of paid parental leave, bilingual pay, excellent retirement options, comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, discounted ski tickets and gym memberships, and much more!

Bargaining Unit: Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE) Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Non-Exempt Work Week: Typically, Monday Friday from 7:30am 4:30pm or 7:45am 4:45pm. Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Performs tasks related to opening, maintaining, tracking, updating, and closing case files and other court documents as assigned.
• Performs various cashier functions including accepting, processing, and recording payments, fines, bonds, bail and penalties, and maintaining records of receipt or delinquency ensuring proper reconciliation in accordance with court policy and legal requirements.
• Performs end-of-day cash balancing and money reconciliation, identifies and resolves discrepancies and prepares required financial reports.
• Maintains physical and electronic court records, ensuring proper filing, retention, and disposition in compliance with records management and retention guidelines.
• Performs courtroom support activities including preparing daily calendars, organizing case files and exhibits, checking parties in and out of court, documenting proceedings, and assisting the judicial officer to ensure orderly and efficient court operations.
• Operates and monitors the official court recording systems, takes court notes as required, ensures accurate captures, labeling, storage, and retrieval of audio or digital records in compliance with retention and evidentiary standards.
• Serves as bailiff during trials and hearings, and assisting with the handling of jurors, parties, and evidence in coordination with judicial officers and law enforcement.
• Prepares, reviews, files, transfers, and maintains court documents including appeals, motions, deferrals, orders of protection, summons, and judicial orders using electronic and manual filing systems.
• Provides administrative assistance to attorneys, paralegals, and the general public on court matters.
• Responds to inquiries from the public, attorneys, law enforcement, and external agencies via phone, email, written correspondence, and in-person interactions.
• Explains court procedures, payment options, and case status while maintaining neutrality and adhering to confidentiality requirements.
• Receives, documents, safeguards, and tracks physical and electronic evidence in accordance with court policy, chain-of-custody requirements, and applicable laws.
• Coordinates the intake, storage, transfer, and authorized release or disposition of evidence while maintaining confidentiality, accuracy, and evidentiary integrity.
• Testifies in court as required regarding court records, case processing, financial transactions, evidence handling, or procedural actions.
• Applies de-escalation techniques to manage high-conflict, emotional, or disruptive situations in a professional and safety-conscious manner.
• Oversees specific projects or programs to ensure that all work is completed in a timely and efficient manner and all project goals are met.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations for new employees in the same or similar class of positions, by explaining court procedures, workflows, and job-related processes.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and makes suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Performs other duties consistent with the role and function of this classification.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Associate's Degree or equivalent education or training in related field, and Some (at least 1 year) experience in legal, government, customer service, or general office work, or Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work. Employees in this classification may become eligible for classification as a Level II upon meeting the following requirements:
• Three (3) years of experience as a Court Clerk with the City of Bozeman and,
• Possession of current certification as a Notary Public and,
• Completion of approved Court Clerk Level II checklist, as certified by the Chief Judge and Court Administrator.
• Offers for employment are conditional upon satisfactory responses to appropriate post conditional offer process including a criminal background check, reference checks, credit check, and NCIC/CJIN and Local Records Check.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Substantial knowledge of office procedures, practices, and equipment including filing systems and methods of communication.
• Substantial knowledge of cash handling and balancing procedures.
• Some knowledge of specialized language used in the court system.
• Some knowledge of court regiment, policies, procedures, and activities.
• Some knowledge of court-related documents.
• Some knowledge of laws and rules that govern the court system.
• Some knowledge of bookkeeping or accounting procedures, data entry, and database management systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of Judicial Canons of Ethics and City Code of Ethics, maintaining impartiality, professionalism, and confidentiality at all times.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn court case lifecycle from initiation through final disposition.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the function of services within the public sector, preferably within a municipal government.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn current practices and procedures involved in City service delivery.
• Ability to handle frequent interruptions while maintaining focus, accuracy, and professionalism.
• Ability to understand and abide by confidentiality rules.
• Ability to provide accurate, impartial, and factual testimony in court in accordance with court rules, evidentiary standards, and ethical requirements.
• Ability to accurately and efficiently type using various word processing systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people, including those who may be angry or disagreeable.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Ability to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Demonstrates integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness and the use of the appropriate levels of discretion in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Consistently performs assignments in accordance with the City's Core Values of Integrity, Leadership, Service and Teamwork.

Preferred Qualifications

• Offers for employment are conditional upon satisfactory responses to appropriate post conditional offer process including a criminal background check, reference checks, credit check, and NCIC/CJIN and Local Records Check.