District Court Clerk in Gallatin County Montana

District Court Clerk Job Description

Special Information About the District Court Clerk Position

This position is an entry-level clerk for the Gallatin County District Court and is responsible for performing a variety of clerical and technical duties within the district court system. The position reports to the Clerk of District Court through the Management Supervisor and does not supervise other county personnel

Required attachments to be considered as a candidate for the District Court Clerk position are:

• As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a criminal history check and background investigation.
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Typing Test results

Gallatin County Courts are an equal opportunity employer. All District Court Clerk applicants will be considered for employment on the basis of merit and qualifications without regard to race, creed, religion, color, or national origin or because of age, physical or mental disability, marital status, or sex when the reasonable demands of the position do not require an age, physical or mental disability, marital status, or sex distinction.

Each duty listed below makes up at least 20% of the job, and all other functions are included in Other Duties as Assigned. All District Court Clerk duties below are essential functions unless otherwise indicated.

Court Operations Support

• 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.
• 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 licenses and collects appropriate fees.
• Interprets requirements to determine appropriate fees.

Trial Activities Coordination:

• When assigned to court, opens court by locating and preparing all required documents and files for the judge.
• District Court Clerks open court, jury trials, change-of-pleas, and omnibus hearings on a rotating basis. This includes preparing paperwork for the judge’s signature, recording minutes on standardized forms, and retrieving and preparing other forms as needed. This work is extremely fast paced, and the ability to multi-task is necessary.
• Coordinates trial juries by contacting potential jurors, issuing notice of appearance, attending voir dire, tracking jurors, administering official oaths, and acting as bailiff in the courtroom.
• Receives, records, and maintains accessibility to all entered exhibits, their status, number, and location by entering data in computer program.
• Completes standardized form for minutes to document all trial events, motions, witnesses, appearances, etc.

Other Duties as Assigned:

District Court Clerks perform 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 threatened 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 conducts 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 Bozeman 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.

The District Court Clerk 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, including Microsoft Word.

This work is extremely fast paced, intense and time sensitive; the ability to multi-task and focus is a must.

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school. Knowledge of legal terminology is preferred.

Successful Bozeman District Court Clerk applicants must be able to work well under stressful situations when dealing with the public, handle busy phones, enjoy detail-oriented work, have a working knowledge and familiarity with personal computers, and type a minimum of 45 wpm accurately.

Benefits:

• Excellent Medical Health Benefits – Group health benefits, including dental and vision coverage, are available to eligible County employees
• The medical health benefits premium is covered for full-time employees
• The County contribution is pro-rated on hours paid for part-time employees
• The employee pays the premium portion for dependent coverage
• Family health benefits coverage is $205.00 per pay period
• Medical deductible is $400 for an individual and $1,000 for a family
• Paid Parental Leave (PPL)- In recognition of the importance of bonding and care of a newborn child or a child placed for adoption, Gallatin County provides 240 hours of PPL to eligible full-time employees
• Tuition Assistance- Because we value the professional and personal development of our employees, Gallatin County is proud to offer reimbursement of certain education expenses

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About Gallatin County Montana

Located in a sweeping valley in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Gallatin County is the most populated and fastest growing county in scenic southwest Montana. The County Seat of Bozeman at large encompasses over 50,000 people, yet has a small town feel. Located in a breathtaking Rocky Mountain setting, it is close to world-class downhill skiing, blue ribbon trout streams, Yellowstone National Park and a multitude of other outdoor activities in the pristine nearby wilderness areas.

Gallatin County covers over 2,500 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks and open ranch lands. Nearly half of all the land in Gallatin County is under public ownership by the Gallatin National Forest, the State of Montana, Bureau of Land Management or the National Park Service.

Gallatin County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Yellowstone National Park (our first National Park) to lush farmland, and a growing economy of high-tech industries. Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, business owners, vacationers, ranchers, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Gallatin County’s boundless opportunities.