Legal Clerk I

Philadelphia PA; Philadelphia, Northern (Philadelphia County, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free public transportation

Paid parental leave

Generous paid time off

Health coverage

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Pension

457(b) Deferred Compensation

Tuition Discounts and Scholarships

Job summary

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania is hiring for an entry level clerical position in Family Court. The role involves data input of court outcomes, preparing court lists, and updating case records under direct supervision in a unionized environment.

Responsibilities include scheduling court dates, recording dispositions, processing legal instruments, and ensuring accuracy across computer systems. In-person work is required; prior clerical or legal experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; related experience helpful.
• Panel review and/or interview after minimum standards are met.
• Satisfactory criminal background clearance required; in-person work only.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and update Family Court cases in computer systems.
• Check for related active/inactive cases and custody status as needed.
• Schedule court dates and block out notes on court lists.
• Prepare court lists and record dispositions for distribution.

Skills

Data entry

Clerical experience

Legal terminology

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Court management software

Computer systems

Job description

First Judicial District of PAis an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Note: New hires must start at step 1 of pay grade

Job Description

This position is Unionized through United Steelworkers 286. The salary grade is W08.

About FJD

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania is the Philadelphia County Court System composed of two courts: the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court. Our mission is to adjudicate cases and provide services to the community within our jurisdiction while ensuring fair, timely, and accessible justice to the people of Philadelphia.

Benefits Summary

Full-time employees of the FJD are eligible for the following benefits:

• FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.
• 8-weeks of Paid parental leave
• Generous paid time off : 10 days’ vacation, 15 sicks days, 5 annual (paid personal) leave days, 12 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive and affordable health coverage to meet you and your family’s needs.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness forgives the remaining balance on your federal Direct Loans after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for an eligible employers such as the FJD.
• Pension through Philadelphia Municipal Employees Retirement Plan
• 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Plan is tax-advantage retirement plan to accelerate your retirement savings by putting money aside pretax into investment portfolios. This is separate from your pension.
• Tuition Discounts and Scholarships : FJD participates in the City of Philadelphia’s Return to Learning Partnership Program to provide access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Discounts range between 10% to 40%.

About Department

The Family Division, sometimes referred to as Family Court, is one of the three major divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. The Family Court of Philadelphia, located at 1501 Arch Street, consists of two major branches: Juvenile and Domestic Relations.

The Juvenile Branch has jurisdiction over delinquency, dependency, termination of parental rights and adoption proceedings.

Domestic Relations deals with paternity, support, custody, visitation, and divorce. Domestic Violence cases are also assigned to the Domestic Relations Branch.

Position Summary

This is entry level clerical legal work, and the individual selected for this position may be assigned to either the Juvenile Branch or Domestic Relations Branch of Family Court, and may be reassigned to either Branch, as business needs might require. The position involves data input of pertinent court outcome information from courtroom and other matters.

Daily work may include preparing court lists, obtaining the necessary case records for Judges, Masters, or hearing officers, recording additional supportive data pertaining to case histories, summarizing case dispositions directly onto the court lists for distribution to appropriate personnel within Family Court and other court related agencies, and coding and entering dispositions into appropriate computer systems.

Work is performed according to clearly defined rules and procedures, under direct supervision. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with standard Family Court practices and procedures.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and one to two years of progressively responsible clerical experience processing legal instruments and documents. OR Equivalent combinations of training and experience providing the characteristics required to perform the essential functions of the class may substitute.
• After meeting minimum standards, successful completion of a panel review and/or interview process.
• Satisfactory clearance of a criminal background investigation.
• Must work in-person (not remote)

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive and may vary according to which Branch of Family Court the employee is assigned. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Initiate and update Family Court cases on applicable computer systems
• Check if litigants have other active/inactive cases and pending proceedings; if individual is in custody or under any type of supervision; details of custody status and/or court supervision.
• Check for any and all information from litigant and case histories that are pertinent to pending matter.
• Selects and schedule court dates, conferences, and other appointments.
• Copies court list, blocking out the prejudicial information in the notes, if applicable

Courtroom Duties (If Applicable)

• Records the judge’sorder on the court list;records any exhibits that are marked and movedinto evidence.
• Schedules the nexthearing date and records all related dispositional codes, conditions, andinstitutions.
• At Pre-Trial andDetention hearings, obtain attorney ID# and appoint counsel forjuvenilein computer.
• If conflict counsel isneeded, forwards request to Legal Liaison Office for formal appointment.When counsel is attached, completes the paperwork and forward to Legal LiaisonOffice. If notification of counsel is necessary, notify the Legal LiaisonOffice.
• Typing as requiredduring court proceedings

Office Duties

• Conduct in-person andtelephone Interviews with litigants and attorneys to obtain and update caseand demographic information, as needed
• Updates case history,address changes and complete all docket information.
• Enter fact-finderdisposition for each petition.
• Perform related work,as assigned.

Marginal Functions

Answers the telephone or perform customer service activities.

Environmental Conditions

Standard courtroom and office conditions. Direct contact with diverse court clientele

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of Family Court operations and procedures regarding assigned function.

Knowledge of clerical procedures necessary to prepare cases and implement court decisions, computerized data entry procedures and related office practices/procedures.

Knowledge of legal terminology and applicable laws and regulations within court structure.

Experience with data input and computer information systems.

Ability to learn new systems and procedures within reasonable timeframes, as business needs require.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court employees and representatives of agencies involved in court hearings and/or implementation of court decisions.

ADA Notice

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the First Judicial District of PA will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.