Judicial Attendant (D5 Polk 111926)

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

Paid Holidays/Vacation/Sick Leave

IPERS retirement plan

Employee discount program

Job summary

The Iowa Judicial Branch in Polk County seeks a Judicial Attendant to provide clerical, administrative, and logistical support for efficient court operations. The role includes drafting orders, case scheduling, and triaging queue workflow to ensure smooth court proceedings.

The successful candidate should learn court record software, communicate professionally with judges and the public, manage daily schedules, and travel between counties within the district.

Qualifications

• High school diploma (or equivalent) required.
• Two years of professional office experience in court, legal, or related environment.
• Ability to learn court record software and navigate technology.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Administer daily courtroom operations, courtroom preparation services, judicial officers support, jury management, and trial preparation services.
• Draft orders and rulings; assist with case scheduling and docket management.
• Coordinate and manage courtroom technology and equipment for proceedings.
• Provide professional customer service to judges, court employees, attorneys, and the public.
• Maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information; support filing and record-keeping tasks.

Skills

Court operations

Communication

Multitasking

Detail-oriented

Confidentiality

Customer service

Travel

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Courtroom technology

Digital recording software

Job description

The Iowa Judicial Branch, in Polk County, seeks applicants for a Judicial Attendant to perform the clerical, administrative, and logistical support for efficient court operations.

This position will provide judicial attendant support for trials and court hearings, including drafting orders, case scheduling, queue workflow triaging, case management, coordination and management of courtroom technology to ensure the courtroom runs smoothly and efficiently. This position will provide exceptional, professional customer service, assisting and communicating with court users, including judges, attorneys, clients, jurors, agencies, other internal and external justice partners, and the public. This position provides general judicial support to include management of daily schedules, dockets, courtroom operations, in addition to case management responsibilities.

The successful candidate will be able to learn and navigate court record-specific computer programs and technology; will be able to read situations quickly and well, is empathetic, passionate for the justice system and doing right by others, computer-savvy, detail oriented, eager to learn, able to manage stress well, a multi-tasker, highly adaptive, able to professionally communicate in person and on the phone with a variety of court users, and have a true professional-level of maturity. This position will require travel to other counties within the judicial district.

What’s in it for you:

• Collaborative, positive professional work environment
• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the Iowa communities
• Excellent benefits package
• Paid Holidays/Vacation/Sick Leave
• Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) plan
• Employee discount program
• Employment with the Iowa Judicial Branch may qualify for the federal student loan repayment program

The pay range for this position is $23.73 - $37.52 per hour. This is a contract-covered, FLSA non-exempt position. The starting salary for new state employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Adjustments may be made if the successful candidate has relevant experience.

Position classification is determined as the ‘best fit’ of the duties assigned to and performed by a position. This position is classified as a Judicial Attendant as summarized below.

Summary

Support the daily operations of a courtroom, courtroom preparations, and judicial officers for efficient court operations.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer daily courtroom operations, courtroom preparation services, judicial officers support, jury management, and trial preparation services.
• Ensure resources, equipment, services, and ADA accommodations are arranged, recorded, and delivered.
• Conduct courtroom preparations, including electronic device setup and digital recording management software use.
• Assist judicial officers during proceedings or other court-related sessions.
• Assist judicial officers by preparing orders, rulings, memoranda, correspondence, etc., as needed.
• Provide customer service by responding to inquiries from judicial officers, court employees, attorneys, and the general public.
• Assist with documentation, filing, and record-keeping services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of court operations and case flow management.
• Ability to provide support for a judge, such as calling parties into the courtroom for the next proceeding, assisting with exhibits, and drafting correspondence and orders.
• Ability to communicate with internal and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner.
• Ability to maintain order in the courtroom and interact with upset or uncooperative people.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changes in policies, procedures, directives, and amendments to laws and rules.
• Ability to secure confidential information and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to proofread materials for grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel.

The Iowa Judicial Branch is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Applicants may review the Equal Employment Opportunity Utilization Report from the Iowa Judicial Branch website as part of our commitment to transparency and compliance with federal and state regulations. Please go to www.iowacourts.gov and click on the Careers page.

Final applicants are subjected to a criminal background check. The Iowa Judicial Branch is an E-Verify employer.

This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Iowa Council 61, AFL-CIO (AFSCME).

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.

The incumbent must meet the minimum requirements to qualify for the position.

1. High school diploma (or high school equivalency diploma)

1. Two (2) years of full-time equivalent professional office experience in business support, court, or legal support.

Experience may be substituted with related education on the basis that successful completion of thirty (30) semester hours or academic equivalent equals one year of experience.

Additional Information

May be designated to give bond per Iowa Code §602.8101.3

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with court or legal process or terminology.
• Experience proofreading, editing, formatting, or drafting official documents.
• Extensive customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Experience securing confidential information.