Court Clerk I - Probate and Guardianship

Charlotte County, Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller seeks a detail-oriented administrative clerk to assist the public and court staff with Civil Court matters in Punta Gorda. The role is in-office and emphasizes courteous service, accuracy, and reliable follow-up.

Key duties include greeting callers, guiding them on records and filing procedures, preparing dockets, processing pleadings, handling payments, scanning documents, and supporting court proceedings in person or via

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and at least one year of clerical experience.
• Typing test with at least 35 words per minute.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to remain courteous with the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team and perform under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Assist the public and court personnel with Civil Court matters in person or by phone.
• Greet callers and provide information on court records, online forms, and filing procedures.
• Prepare dockets and ensure proper filing of motions and related documents.
• Receive pleadings by mail, in person, or via E-file and process as required.
• Accept cash payments for court filing fees and prepare related reports.
• Scan documents, verify accuracy, and organize records for disposition.
• Attend court proceedings in person or via Zoom, take minutes, and handle exhibits.

Skills

Customer service

Typing

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Windows

Microsoft Office

Job description

This is a complex position assisting the public and court personnel with Civil Court related matters. Customer services skills include: ability to interact with the public in a friendly, positive, courteous and professional manner following the Clerk’s Office Mission, Vision and Core Values. Must maintain superior communication and follow-up skills when dealing with the public, support staff and management. Heavy computer and technical skills are essential to completing daily tasks.

This is an in-office position and is not eligible for remote work.

• Assist with the Circuit Civil, Small Claims, Child Support, Domestic Violence, Appeals, Probate/Guardianship, Foreclosure, and Jury Services.
• Greet callers by answering all incoming calls to the Civil Court’s Division. Assists public and other court personnel over the phone with questions related to court records, access to online forms, and information on the filing of documents or directs calls to the appropriate department or agency.
• Assist the public with information on docket schedule and courtroom locations.
• Prepares dockets for court assuring all motions and other necessary information are properly filed.
• Prepares for and attends court in person or via Zoom, taking minutes, marks and controls evidence, swears in witnesses, reads verdicts, and performs other courtroom duties
• Assist the public with research requests and access to court related case file searches.
• Receives cash payments of court filing fees and prepares related reports.
• Additional duties include assisting with the scanning of documents by: organizing, preparing, and sorting documents; verifying documents for accuracy and clarity as it relates to the original.
• Accept pleadings received by mail, in person, or via E-file; processing and filing documents as required by established and timeliness procedures. Receives pleadings and court orders, assuring that copies are distributed to the appropriate parties.
• Assist with disposing of case files from court.
• Prepares and process documents including summonses and subpoenas and other court related documents.
• Adheres to Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller polices and office procedures.
• Other job duties as assigned.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Experience using Windows based applications and the ability to use the latest office automation technology. Ability to pass a typing test with results of at least 35 correct words per minute. Must possess excellent communication skills with the ability to diffuse upset and angry customers. The qualified candidate must work cooperatively as a member of a team and work well under pressure.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

High school diploma or GED and at least one (1) year clerical experience and/or training requiring a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, preferably in a legal setting.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

A valid Florida Driver's License or Florida Identification is required for the hiring process.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.