Associate Clerk (#185) Internal Judicial Branch Employees Only

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ASSOCIATE CLERK

STATE OF MAINE JUDICIAL BRANCH

LOCATION: Somerset County Courthouse, Skowhegan

JUDICIAL BRANCH INTERNAL EMPLOYEES ONLY

The State of Maine Judicial Branch welcomes motivated team members to join us in serving the communities of Maine within the court system. The Judicial Branch plays a very important role in our communities by providing a safe, accessible, efficient, and impartial system of dispute resolution. Judicial Branch employees all support this mission, in their various roles.  We have 31 courts across the state and process over 130,000 cases each year in support of Maine’s almost 1.4 million residents.

The Job:

The Clerk’s Office is part of the State of Maine Judicial Branch and is responsible for maintaining the official record of the court. This position involves responsible clerical, administrative, and customer service work in a Clerk’s Office and works closely with judges, Clerks of Court, and other administrative and judicial staff. This position also entails extensive contact with the public and attorneys both in-person and over the phone. Office responsibilities require extensive use of various computer systems and office equipment, as well as knowledge of basic office procedures. The position also involves communication with attorneys, court security, and other judicial branch divisions and stakeholders via email applications.

Employees in this class generally supervise from one to five full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (assigning and reviewing work, training employees, participating in the hiring, evaluation, and discipline, including dismissal, of employees, and similar levels of supervisory work), and/or serve as the primary back-up for the Clerk in the absence of the Clerk and other higher-level office supervisors.

Salary Range: 

Grade 12, $25.77 to $34.89 per hour. 

What We Offer:

At the Maine Judicial Branch, we value our employees, which is why we offer great benefits. In addition to competitive pay, we provide:

• Work-life balance: 13 paid holidays, 2+ weeks of vacation leave, and 12 paid sick days every year.
• Paid Parental Leave: 4 weeks
• Gym membership and childcare reimbursement programs
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Health insurance coverage (85%-100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
• Health insurance premium credit (5% decrease in employee premiums)
• Dental insurance (100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Defined Benefit Pension plan contributions
• Voluntary deferred compensation (retirement savings 457 Plan)
• Up to $1000 Tuition Reimbursement each year
• Employer-paid life insurance (1x annual salary)
• Additional wellness benefits

Responsibilities:

• Plans, assigns, and reviews work of subordinate employees.
• Supervises and trains employees.
• Participates in hiring, evaluation, and discipline of employees, as assigned.
• Oversees the operation of the Clerk’s Office in the absence of the Clerk and other higher-level office supervisors.
• Supervises and/or accurately performs any or all of the following:
• Dockets, processes, and files matters before the Court.
• Schedules pre-trial activities, trials, motions, and other proceedings including mailing and emailing court notices to litigants.
• Manages trailing dockets and consolidated trial lists.
• Handles and processes fines, fees, costs, and other funds paid to or through the Court, and maintains books, ledgers, and accounts, as necessary.
• Prepares warrants, suspensions, abstracts, and reports for the Administrative Office of the Courts, Secretary of State, State Bureau of Investigation, and other agencies, as directed.
• Communicates and interacts effectively in-person, over the telephone, and in writing from the public, the media, court staff, judges/justices, attorneys and other state, local, county, and federal agencies concerning matters before the Court.
• Operates basic office machines such as computers, copiers, fax machines, printers, calculators, and other office equipment such as TTY machine and video conferencing, as necessary.
• Operates electronic recording machines, maintains appropriate logs, and performs duties ancillary to recording courtroom proceedings.
• May be responsible for the financial functions, reports, and accountability within the clerks’ office of the UCD. 
• Uses computer applications, including computer applications for document sharing such as Google Workspaces, docketing, file management, etc.
• Operates various equipment used in the courtroom including: For the Record (FTR) digital software, analog electronic recording systems, courtroom sound systems, assisted listening devices, video monitors, DVD and VHS player/recorder units, interactive video conference systems; MAC and PC systems; and other courtroom related technology
• Responsible for recording, monitoring, and logging of court proceedings on digital or analog electronic record and the courtroom operations of video equipment
• Participates in jury management activities, both traverse and grand, including preparation of lists and mailing of questionnaires.
• Serves as courtroom clerk and performs duties as required by the judge/justice, including the jury selection process, trials, and all other types of courtroom proceedings.
• Performs administrative duties, such as monitoring supplies and forms, as requested by the Clerk or other supervisor.
• Manages virtual courtroom for proceedings held over Zoom or other virtual format.
• Travels to other courts or judicial branch worksites when required.
• Adheres to the Judicial Branch Code of Conduct, including provisions related to professionalism and confidentiality.

We’re Looking For:

• Graduation from high school or GED. Associates Degree or above preferred.
• Two years experience in a Clerk’s Office.*
• College coursework may be substituted for the work experience on a year-for-year basis.

*There may be two-person offices, such as Fort Kent District Court, where an Associate Clerk does not supervise another employee, but otherwise functions fully as an Associate Clerk.  In these instances, the requirement for two years experience in a Clerk’s Office may be waived.  Additionally, the following requirements must be met:

• Four years experience providing customer service and/or clerical/office administration.
• Accurately keyboard or type.
• Knowledge and ability in computer software programs, such as MS Office, Google Workspaces, or other dedicated computer information programs as evidenced by training, education, or work experience.
• Knowledge of basic office procedures.
• Supervisory experience in an office setting or relevant supervisory training.
• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of a small number of subordinate employees in an effective and positive manner.
• Ability to train and mentor employees.
• Ability to manage office conflict.
• Skill in the use of customer services principles.
• Knowledge of the principles of progressive discipline.
• Accurately keyboard or type not less than 45 words per minute.
• Ability to complete work with accurate attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively with the public, supervisors, other court staff, judges/justices, attorneys, and others in a variety of situations and circumstances.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Basic writing, spelling, and grammatical skills.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical functions and the ability to accurately receive and distribute funds.
• Ability to understand and follow administrative and clerical procedures governing clerks’ offices, including the Clerk’s Manual, as well as Judicial Branch policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand court procedures, legal documents, laws, and legal factors pertaining to the court system.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive Judicial Branch information.
• Ability to learn detailed computer applications.
• Proficiency in the use and care of office equipment, including typewriters, computers, calculators, copy machines, postage machines and fax machines, and the ability to learn to use other equipment, such as a TTY, cash drawers, credit card readers, and video conferencing. 
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to effectively manage time in a busy courthouse environment and multitask.

How to Apply:

This position will remain open until filled. Cover letter, resume, and online application must be submitted online at Associate Clerk - #185 - Internal Only

The Judicial Branch is an EEO/AA employer.

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 If you have any questions about the online application process, please contact the Judicial Branch Human Resources Department at HR.Help@courts.maine.gov.