This is a Court wide recruitment intended to establish an eligibility list for current and future vacancies with the Criminal Division.

Typing tests are tentatively scheduled to be held the week of March 16, 2026.

DEFINITION
Under direction, the Courtroom Clerk performs clerical duties in a designated courtroom of the Superior Court; attends court sessions and prepares records of court proceedings in conformance with statutes, policies, and the direction of a judicial officer; swears in witnesses and juries; maintains exhibits offered in evidence; and to perform related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Courtroom Clerk is a journey-level classification that serves as the primary clerical support for judicial officers; administers the essential clerical functions of a courtroom; works closely with employees of other County departments, representatives of legal offices, and the public in matters before the court; and may provide lead work direction to clerical staff. Incumbents work independently within established, yet frequently changing policies, procedures and guidelines. They perform very responsible and complex legal clerical work and must perform all required duties within frequent deadlines, time limitations, and pressure from court users and staff, requiring speed, sustained attention, and a high degree of accuracy.

The Lead Courtroom Clerk is an advanced-level classification that is reserved exclusively for those positions that the appointing authority designates as lead workers with the accompanying duties of such a designation. The Lead Courtroom Clerk is responsible for scheduling, assigning, and training Courtroom Clerks, while at the same time performing non-supervisory work that is usually of the same kind and level as that the Courtroom Clerk. Typically, this
assignment is made in the absence of a supervisory position within the unit.
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Assists judicial officers in the organization, preparation, and execution of daily court schedules and preparing legal documents prior to trial proceedings.

2. Attends court sessions to record minutes, administer oaths, and accurately document and file all exhibits presented during hearings.

3. Prepares a range of legal documents, such as minute orders, legal notices, court decisions, and other essential paperwork.

4. Examines legal documents presented to the court for completeness of information, accuracy, adherence, and legal format before submitting to the judicial officer for review and/or official filing.

5. Responsible for receiving and maintaining custody of all exhibits submitted during trial including items of value, weapons, and controlled substances.

6. Prepares, signs, certifies, and approves court orders and judgments; processes pre- and post-judgement motions and facilitates the issuance of various court directives such as orders, writs, bench warrants, and other types of criminal warrants.

7. Dispatches official notices of court actions to relevant parties involved in legal proceedings to ensure awareness and compliance with court directives.

8. Assists in the process of jury selection; assesses and calculates jury fees and mileage fees due to jurors; calculates court reporter fees.

9. Ensures accuracy of minutes; enters details of proceedings into official court dockets and records.

10. Reviews and approves default judgments, commitments, and work of other staff on appeals to ensure legal validity and accuracy.

11. Prepares and maintains a variety of correspondence and reports, including statistical reports detailing court metrics.

12. Provides information to individuals involved in court cases regarding procedures, deadlines, and legal requirements.

13. Coordinates Court activities with the Master Calendar Section to limit scheduling conflicts.

14. Verifies the presence of all necessary parties including jurors, counsel, and litigants, before proceedings begin; processes and distributes juror attendance verification.

15. Calendars court-related appointments and meetings for judicial officers; organizes and maintains files and records; and may provide a variety of other administrative support for judicial officers.

16. Provides lead direction to clerical staff in the preparation of court filings, records, and reports; may provide lead direction to other clerks when support staff is not present.

17. Performs routine clerical duties, such as answering telephones and emails, managing Court records, filing endorsements, acquiring signatures, and handling mailings as necessary.

18. Performs related duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR THE LEAD COURTROOM CLERK
1. Provides lead direction for all Courtroom Clerks; assists in scheduling and assigning work; sets priorities; reviews work.

2. Develops comprehensive training programs and instructs staff in work methods and procedures; prepares training manuals and materials to facilitate effective training.

3. Participates in the recruitment and selection process by providing input on selection decisions; provides input on performance matters.

4. Supports staff in resolving difficult and complex work challenges by researching, analyzing, and identifying solutions to difficult problems and questions.

5. Collaborates with managers on staffing needs or operational problems and recommends updates to policies and procedures.
Courtroom Clerk:

Experience: Three (3) years of experience preparing or processing legal documents, forms, and records used for court proceedings.

Education Substitution: Education may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required three (3) years of experience, on the following basis: completion of major course work from a law school or accredited college, university, business school, or training school in a field that is related to the knowledge and abilities specified for this classification (30 semester units or 45 quarter units equal one year of experience); or completion of a legal assistant certificate program from an accredited business school, college, or university.

Lead Courtroom Clerk:

Experience: Two (2) years of experience performing the duties of a Courtroom Clerk.

Knowledge of:
Legal terminology and process forms; California statutes related to Superior Court procedures, such as the Civil Code of Procedure, Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, Rules of Court, and related procedures; office procedures including how to prepare correspondences, reports, and statistical summaries; English grammar, spelling, and punctuation; basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Ability to:
Understand, interpret, explain, and follow laws, procedures, and policies involved in processing court cases; maintain accurate and complete records of court proceedings and related matters; organize, prioritize, and complete work assignments with minimal supervision and under time constraints; handle a high volume of work in a fast-paced and demanding environment across multiple areas of law; view and listen to sensitive material and testimony; compose
correspondence independently; establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial officers, attorneys, coworkers, involved parties, and the public; operate standard office machines and equipment, such as a computer, printer, copier, scanner, telephone and facsimile; read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance; type at a rate of at least 45 net words per minute from clear copy.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE LEAD COURTROOM CLERK
Leadwork experience/skills.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sit for periods of up to four (4) hours, read for periods of up to four (4) hours, work on a computer for periods of up to four (4) hours; move and lift court files; move around freely within the courtroom; see and hear within normal range with or without correction; speak loudly and clearly enough to be heard in open court; remain alert and attentive while court is in session; read text with our without correction.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office environment; continuous contact with other staff and the public.

OTHER REQUIREMENT
Must be able to pass a criminal history background check.