Deputy Court Clerk - Magistrate I

Freeman Fire Department; Yankton (SD); On-site; USD 40,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11–13 paid holidays

Paid vacation

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Unified Judicial System in Yankton, SD is hiring for a court clerk position. The role supports case filing, scheduling hearings, and courtroom proceedings, ensuring accurate record-keeping and customer service for diverse stakeholders.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, US citizenship, SD residency, and successful background check. Benefits include holidays, leave, health and retirement plans, and paid training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED and one year of clerical experience.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of South Dakota, and a voting resident within the circuit.
• Successful completion of a criminal background investigation is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain case files for criminal, civil, traffic, and other cases from filing to final disposition.
• Assist in maintaining court calendars by scheduling hearings according to procedures.
• Provide customer service and information about court protocols and procedures.
• Assist in courtrooms by maintaining case files and minutes, handling exhibits, empaneling juries, and recording proceedings.
• Perform clerk magistrate duties as assigned and assist the circuit court in disposing of civil actions.

Skills

court processes

legal terminology

office bookkeeping

time management

organization

customer service

communication

on-the-job learning

multitasking

prioritization

computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

E-Verify

Job description

• $1,000 New Hire Incentive

Job ID: 37359
Agency: Unified Judicial System, First Judicial Circuit
Location: Yankton, SD
Salary:$20.22 per hour
Closing date: September 9, 2026

For more information on the Unified Judicial System, please visithttp://ujs.sd.gov.

The Unified Judicial System (UJS) is dedicated to providing a fair, impartial, and accessible court system that upholds the rule of law and is worthy of the public’s trust and confidence. Our vision is justice for all.

Our employees are our most valuable resource and crucial to accomplishing our mission. We seek talented and motivated individuals to be the face of the court system and help ensure that the Court and all the people that come before it receives the highest level of service. Our dedicated staff work to enhance community safety and ensure victims’ rights while treating all individuals with dignity and respect.

The UJS offers a comprehensive benefits package consisting of 11-13 paid holidays every year, extensive sick and vacation leave, paid family leave, military training leave, health and flexible benefits, regular working hours, continuing education opportunities, retirement benefits, a great working environment, and more.

Position Purpose

This position assists with cases filed with the court clerk's office including criminal, civil, traffic, and other cases from initial filing to final disposition by developing and maintaining case files, assisting with scheduling and assigning hearings, assisting in court room proceedings, and implementing procedures for monetary dispositions; provides customer services daily to a wide variety of individuals and agencies; performs magistrate duties as assigned; and acts on behalf of the court clerk in his or her absence. Duties may include:

• Maintaining case files for criminal, civil, traffic, and other cases from initial to final disposition in accordance with established procedures and designated timelines.
• Assisting in maintaining court calendars by scheduling hearings according to procedures.
• Providing customer service in many different ways to many different people by providing information about the court's protocols and procedures to make sure they receive correct information.
• Providing assistance in courtrooms by maintaining case files and minutes of proceedings; handling in-court exhibits; empaneling juries; recording proceedings; being responsible for sound and video equipment; and providing court interpretive services when needed to facilitate processes of the court.
• Performing clerk magistrate duties as assigned to assist the circuit court in disposing of civil actions and to provide direct court contact for average citizens.
• Performing other work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a high school diploma or possession of a GED certificate and one year of general clerical experience; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience. Upon hire the successful applicant must meet the following requirements before beginning employment:

• 1. MUST BE A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES,
• 2. RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, AND
• 3. A VOTING RESIDENT WITHIN THE CIRCUIT. (SD CONST. ART. V, SECTION 6)

Successful completion of a criminal background investigation is required for employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• court processes and procedures;
• legal terminology;
• general office and bookkeeping practices.

Skill in:

• time management;
• organization;
• customer service.

Ability to:

• communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
• learn on the job using written manuals and learn from context;
• listen and understand;
• work independently;
• recognize and defuse escalating situations with customers and staff;
• use computers and related software systems proficiently;
• multi-task and adapt quickly to change;
• prioritize work activities to ensure most important items are done first.

The State of South Dakota, Unified Judicial System does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The Unified Judicial System as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

You may view our benefits information athttps://ujs.sd.gov/media/gbtinrye/come_work_for_us.pdf.

Steps

1. Click https://ujs.sd.gov/media/x3tgp3fx/questionnaire.pdf to access the questionnaire.
2. Save or download the questionnaire to your computer. *Do not complete the questionnaire online within your browser. You may lose entered information.
3. Open the saved questionnaire and complete.
4. Once complete, select File and then Save as. Save the questionnaire to include your last name in the file name. * To ensure your information is saving, complete a small section, save as, and open.

Attach the questionnaire to the attachments section of your application as Additional Requirements.

Adobe Reader is required. You can download the software for free fromhttps://get.adobe.com/reader/.

500 East Capitol Avenue

Pierre, SD 57501-5070

Phone: [phone]

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"