Job: Municipal Court Clerk

Job Description

Job Type: Hourly

Wage: $20/hr.

Location: Trinidad, CO.

Job Description:

Position Designation        PHMSA – Safety Sensitive: Requires Random Drug-Testing

GENERAL PURPOSE

As Court Clerk, this position performs all tasks related to court operations. Duties include filing summons and citations, processing tickets, preparing statistical and financial reports, and assisting in the preparation of the Municipal Court budget. The position requires strong analytical, financial, budgetary, administrative, and interpersonal skills in managing assignments and projects.  Additionally, this position also provides support to the City Clerk’s office and general reception duties in City Hall.

CULTURAL VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

The mission of every employee at the City of Trinidad is to deliver exceptional value and quality of life to all our citizens.  Each employee is measured by the ability to adhere to the city’s core value of Pride which is delivered through Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Excellence.  As a City we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity for all citizens and recognize that it is a privilege to serve the citizens of Trinidad, Colorado.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required.  The City of Trinidad retains the right to modify or change the essential duties and additional functions of the job at any time without notice. Examples of duties are not intended to be all-inclusive or restrictive:

• Enters and reviews new incoming tickets, and prepares new case files.
• Prepares and reviews a variety of forms, motions, and other paperwork following established procedures.
• Processes, sorts, files, and maintains legal documents, reports, and other records.
• Answers inquiries from the general public regarding judicial procedures, court appearances, trial dates, adjournments, outstanding warrants, summonses, subpoenas, witness fees, and payment of fines.
• Keeps accurate records of the status and disposition of cases before the court on the court docket.
• Schedules and coordinates pretrial conferences with the City Attorney.
• Opens court, calls the court to order, and announces the judge.
• Answers incoming telephone calls and processes payment over the phone.
• Accepts payment of fines, weekly restitution, or other costs assessed, operates a credit card machine, generates receipts, and performs daily balancing of court payments.
• Processes business license applications, ensures compliance with regulations and ordinances, shares information with other departments, i.e. fire, police, and development services, collects fees, and maintains records.
• Assists in maintaining, filing, and safekeeping of official City documents and records.
• Participates in the administration of municipal elections.
• Provides information to the public following rules and regulations while maintaining confidentiality.
• Exhibits detail with accuracy and efficiency in all aspects of the assigned tasks.
• Performs general office support such as: answering phones, taking messages, and/or routing calls; responds to routine questions about City services; greets visitors and directs them to the appropriate location and/or staff person; processes incoming mail by sorting and distributing into the correct mailbox; provides copy service upon request; performs simple maintenance on office equipment, refers maintenance problems to service technician when appropriate.
• Acts as backup for other departments.
• Performs all duties while maintaining a high level of customer service.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance.
• Observes and follows established City and Department policies and procedures in the daily conduct of the job.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Demonstrate knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, equipment, business English, spelling, and mathematical computations and tabulations.
• Operate a Personal Computer and be familiar with current computer software applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Set up and type a variety of letters, memos, reports, agendas, minutes, ordinances and resolutions; maintain moderately complex administrative assistant reports and prepare detailed reports from such records.
• Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Remain calm under time-sensitive pressure situations and ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Work independently using good judgment in the prioritization of work at all times and able to adjust rapidly to a reprioritized work schedule.
• Present a positive attitude in dealing with the public, employees, and elected officials.
• Elicit information effectively and convey concise, accurate explanations of ordinances, policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.

SUPERVISION

Received:  Works under the general supervision of the City Clerk and Municipal Judge.

Exercised:  None.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school and two (2) to three (3) years related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Field of study business, computer or office management.

Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid current state-issued driver’s license and not be under suspension, revocation or denial nor have any prior alcohol and/or drug-related driving offenses within the last five years. A driving record search will be conducted on all applicants prior to employment and will be subject to observation throughout their employment.
• Successful candidates must pass a background investigation, drug screening and physical examination in accordance with job duties prior to employment.
• As required under PHMSA Drug & Alcohol Testing Requirements, all employees who respond to emergency calls are required to participate in the random testing program in place at the City.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Duties are generally performed in an office setting with a controlled environment.

**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.