Judiciary Clerk

Maryland Judiciary; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Tuition assistance

Continuing education programs

Employee retirement plans

Telework up to 2 days per week

Job summary

The Maryland Judiciary seeks a Judiciary Clerk in Washington County District Court to perform high-volume data entry and civil case processing from filing through closure. You will assist the public, answer questions, and support court operations at the counter and by phone.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma and at least one year of related experience; a bachelor’s or paralegal credentials may substitute. Telework up to 2 days per week may be available based on job functions.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma (or GED).
• One year of work experience, preferably in court operations or related fields.
• Bachelor’s Degree may substitute the required work experience.
• Paralegal/Associate degree or 60 college credits may substitute the required work experience.
• Paralegal Certificate may substitute the required work experience.

Responsibilities

• Process civil pleadings and related court documents from filing to disposition.
• Process Domestic Violence and Peace Order cases and prepare relevant dockets.
• Assist the public and court staff at counter and by phone; provide information on procedures.
• Compile daily civil dockets and prepare them for court.
• Manage cash handling, deposits, and receipts as needed.
• Open and distribute mail; organize files for processing.
• Archive files and update the electronic docket board.

Skills

Customer service

Typing

Accuracy

Communication

Education

High School diploma (or GED)

Bachelor’s degree substitution

Paralegal/Associates degree substitution

Tools

Odyssey

File & Serve

JIS Portal

Secured Case Search

Electronic Docket Board

Job description

Location

Washington County District Court, 369 W. Antietam Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Salary

$51,079

Job Title

Judiciary Clerk

Division/Department

Civil

Closing Date

August 27, 2026

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

At Will

No

Position Type

FT

Benefits

The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans. Telework, up to 2 days per week, may also be available. Telework eligibility is based on job functions and the approval of the Administrative Head.

Additional Links

Maryland Judiciary Benefits (mdcourts.gov)

About the Maryland Court System | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov)

salaryrangesfy27.pdf

Essential Job Functions

The Judiciary Clerk is an entry-level position performing case processing duties and responsibilities daily which entails a high volume of data entry work for civil, landlord/tenant, special proceeding, domestic violence and peace order cases from initial filings through post-judgment actions and until the cases are closed for Washington County District Court. Assists the general public and court related personnel at the counter and on the phone with questions about District Court policies and procedures or general court information. Performs cashier duties and other specialized clerical duties as needed.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Process all civil pleadings, both pre- and post-judgment, including landlord/tenant cases, new civil suits, motions, requests, garnishments, refunds, oral exams, show cause orders, interest worksheets, liens, subpoenas, summonses, appeals, judgments, satisfactions, dismissals, bankruptcies, body attachments, writs of execution, and writs of habeas corpus. Generate and issue summonses for service.
• Process Domestic Violence and Peace Order cases, including research of prior cases and distribution of orders to involved parties as well as preparing the PO/DV docket for court. Process Emergency Evaluations.
• Assist the general public, other court agencies, law enforcement, and other personnel, on the phone and in person at the customer service counter to ensure proper completion of forms and/or case filings, respond to inquiries about court procedures, distribute information, and direct citizens to appropriate agencies without giving legal advice. Explain District Court policies as needed.
• Compile daily civil dockets and prepare them for court.
• Assume responsibility for all money taken and processed through the cash register when the primary cashier is on break or at lunch, close the cashier’s office at the end of the day according to accounting procedures, prepare the daily deposit and ensure that sensitive items are secure, write manual receipts when the computerized register system is inoperable, process Failure to Pay Rent suits, send notices to proper parties if incorrect fees were remitted with the corresponding pleading.
• Open and distribute incoming mail; pull and organize files for processing incoming work if filed over the counter or by mail.
• Archive files by sorting, stripping, packing, and sending to the District Court warehouse for storage.
• Update the electronic docket board.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma (or GED equivalent).
• Experience: One (1) year of work experience, preferably in court operations or in the fields of criminal justice, parole and probation, legal or financial services.
• A Bachelor’s Degree may substitute the required work experience.
• A Paralegal/Associates Degree or 60 college credits may substitute the required work experience.
• A Paralegal Certificate May Substitute The Required Work Experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge Of

• General office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Standard legal forms and documents used in the Maryland District Courts.
• Basic English and arithmetic to include, but not limited to, spelling, punctuation, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Alpha and numerical filing systems.

Skill In

• Customer service and handling problems tactfully and patiently.
• Typing on a personal computer.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.

Ability To

• Use standard office and business equipment including, but not limited to, personal computers, word processing, spreadsheets, database software, copier, microfilm machine, register, scanner, fax machine, etc.
• Use and maintain alphabetical and numerical filing systems.
• Communicate clearly, tactfully, and effectively with judges, the public, police agencies, attorneys, and other court officials and personnel, both verbally and in writing.
• Understand and abide by departmental rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Exercise tact, diplomacy, and impartiality in dealing with the public, law enforcement personnel, and attorneys.
• Follow procedures, verbal and written instructions, and protocols for any given assignment.
• Use proper grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Exercise independent judgement in interpreting and applying appropriate policy, procedure, rule, law, and/or regulation to a situation.

Physical Requirements

Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Equipment, Machinery And Tools

• Personal computer - used for data entry, inquiry, communication, and reference.
• Laptop - used when working remotely.
• Cash register & validator - used to enter monetary transactions, validate checks and documents.
• Printer - used to print writs of summons, mailers, docket entries, docket listings, invoices, and cashier reports.
• Scanner - used to scan documents to our case management system.
• Photocopier - used to copy orders, rulings, documents, etc.
• Fax Machine - used for transmitting protective orders to DSS for investigation, communicating with other courts and court agencies, receiving returns of service of protective and peace orders from law enforcement, receiving reports of suspected abuse from DSS.

Software And Computer Skills

• Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.
• Odyssey, File & Serve, JIS Portal, Secured Case Search, Electronic Docket Board and computerized cash register system (RCS and Odyssey).

Selection Process

Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, you must list each position that you held, the length of time that you held each position, and the corresponding duties. Description of duties that state, \"see resume\" will negatively impact consideration for this position. Applicants will not be contacted for additional information. Only applicants considered for this position will be contacted.

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

For further information please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail].

The Maryland Judiciary is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. Applicants who need an ADA Accommodation during the application and/or interview process should send their request via email to [e-mail] or call 410-260-1732. The Maryland Judiciary is a drug-free workplace. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States.

Please find the Maryland Judiciary's equal employment opportunity policy here: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.