District Court Clerk

Gallatin County; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Gallatin County District Court seeks a District Court Deputy Clerk who will be the official keeper of all District Court records and perform a wide range of clerical duties with accuracy, timeliness and confidentiality. The position is a public-facing clerk role, guiding the public through documentation, procedures and deadlines.

Reporting to the Clerk of District Court through the Management Supervisor, this role does not supervise staff.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• 1–2 years of related office experience preferred.
• Knowledge of legal terminology is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Responds to inquiries from attorneys, public, and court staff while maintaining confidentiality.
• Receives, analyzes, and processes court filings and fees where required.
• Determines appropriate actions for filings based on Montana Code Annotated and local rules.
• Maintains electronic and manual records and docketing systems.
• Assists in research and processing marriage licenses as applicable.

Skills

Legal terminology knowledge

Typing accuracy

Written communication

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

The District Court Deputy Clerk is the official keeper of all District Court records for the County and is responsible for performing a multitude of considerably difficult, wide-ranging clerical duties with accuracy, timeliness and with respect to confidentiality. This position is a public facing clerk for the District Court and is responsible for performing a variety of clerical and technical duties within the district court system. The work involves observing protocol and assisting the public by providing information about the documentation, methods and procedures associated with the district court system. Each type of case requires different documents and the application of different processes, and the position is expected to use judgment to determine the appropriate methods and procedures to apply in each case.
The position reports to the Clerk of District Court through the Management Supervisor and does not supervise other county personnel.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to routine inquiries or referrals from other Department personnel, court representatives, attorneys, and members of the public. Examples of inquiries include questions from attorneys regarding document requirements, legal rights, water rights and ownership, jurisdictional issues, etc. Maintains confidentiality according to established guidelines and coordinates with involved or affected parties to resolve problematic issues.
• Receives, analyzes, and processes various court and legal filings, including proposed orders, motions to the court, and other documents. Collects and records fees, if required. Each type of case requires different processing methods and document requirements. The position must learn to determine and interpret the appropriate processes based on each case.
• Determines the appropriate course of action for filings based on the Montana Code Annotated. Examines filed court documents for completeness and appropriateness according to the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), Local rules, and office procedure.
• Coordinates mail processing to ensure timely delivery of correspondence and materials to appropriate staff, including express shipments, registered mailings, electronic messaging, and other specialized delivery services.
• Prioritizes and processes or distributes filings and documents according to upcoming trial dates, legally mandated response times, individual judicial preferences, established office procedures and policies, and other factors.
• Maintains electronic and manual records management and docketing systems with new and updated case and file information.
• Researches, processes, issues, and records marriage license and collects appropriate fees. Interprets requirements to determine appropriate fees.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor. This includes participating in special projects, occasionally filling in for other employees, participating in ongoing training, and a variety of other functions as needed. If the County Commission proclaims a local emergency due to an actual or threatening disaster such as an earthquake, fire, riot, flood, etc., County employees may be required to provide services during the emergency and for a subsequent period of assessment and recovery.

This work requires knowledge of legal procedures and terminology; the Montana Code Annotated; conducting research; records management; modern office machinery, methods, practices and procedures; business English, spelling and grammar; and have the ability to type accurately; write legibly; learn, understand and apply the various and multifaceted laws, rules and regulations governing the District Court system; exercise courtesy and tact in receiving the public and in giving and obtaining information; handle sensitive and confidential information; follow written and oral instructions; and establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work. This position also requires the ability to prioritize, organize, maintain legal calendars, communicate effectively verbally and in writing and have a working knowledge and experience using computers.

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and one to two (1-2) years related office experience. Knowledge of legal terminology is preferred.

As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background screening.

Gallatin County does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.