Justice Court Clerk in Bozeman Montana

Justice Court Clerk Job Description

Special Information About the Justice Court Clerk Position

The Justice Court Clerk position is located in the Gallatin Justice Court and is responsible for performing a variety of clerical and technical duties within the justice court system. This work involves processing appropriate court forms, attending court sessions, and documenting various courtroom activities on standardized forms. Justice Court handles criminal matters, citations filed by the Sheriff’s Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Fish and Game, Montana Department of Transportation, Department of Livestock, Airport Authority, civil matters, small claims, weddings, and other legal matters. The position reports to the Clerk of Justice Court and does not directly supervise other staff.

Required attachments to be considered as a candidate for the Justice 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 Court is an equal opportunity employer. All Justice 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 Justice Court Clerk duties below are essential functions unless otherwise indicated.

Court Operations Support

• Services the front window to direct members of the public arriving for weddings, trials, etc., to provide necessary forms for various court activities, and to respond to general questions.
• Responds to various inquiries from Department personnel, court representatives, attorneys, and members of the public.
• Inquiries are related to court procedures, case status, available filing options, etc.
• Maintains confidentiality according to established guidelines and coordinates with involved or affected parties to resolve problematic issues.
• Receives and/or locates standardized forms to file various court and legal filings, including proposed orders, motions to the court, and other documents.
• Collects and records fees, if required. This involves identifying appropriate forms based on type of case or action and completing relevant sections with basic information.
• Processes mail to ensure timely delivery of correspondence and materials to appropriate staff, including express shipments, registered mailings, electronic messaging, and other specialized delivery services.
• 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.
• Handle confidential information that has been sealed.
• Maintains electronic and manual records management and docketing systems with new and updated case and file information.
• Reviews background by reviewing past payments, checking payments received logs, appearances, posting of bond, etc. and issues a warning letter or a warrant or default judgment based on applicable guidelines.
• Receipts and disburses fines, fees for filing, restitution, refund of bond, and daily balances

Trial Activities Coordination:

• When assigned to court, opens court by locating and preparing all required documents and files for the judge.
• 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:

Performs 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 position requires the ability to multi-task effectively, prioritize, organize, maintain legal calendars and communicate well-orally and in writing. This work requires the capability of gaining knowledge of the principles and practices of conducting research, records management, customer service, the Montana Codes Annotated, legal terminology, and various legal and court systems and procedures.

The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing is required in this position and the incumbent must be able to maintain his/her composure. The incumbent must be able to maintain the integrity of sensitive and highly confidential information; exercise courtesy and tact in receiving the public, staff and elected official, and in giving and obtaining information in person and over the phone; and establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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 and two to three (2-3) years’ related experience. The position must be (or become) a sworn officer of the court, filed with the Clerk and Recorder.

Successful 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

---

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.