Court Operations Associate - Ramsey County - Juvenile and Family Division

This position involves advanced court clerical, customer service, and courtroom support work to provide effective administrative support for the court’s caseload. This position facilitates access to court by explaining court procedures, legal requirements, and local practices; assisting in the completion of court forms; providing court forms and instructions; and reviewing self-represented parties' completed court forms. This role works for the Domestic Violence/Harassment Office in the Juvenile and Family Division.

This is a fast-paced, highly detail-oriented Court Operations Associate position that requires a considerable amount of data entry and a high level of customer service. A successful candidate must possess competent technical skills, excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, as well as other knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.

This position will be scheduled on-site (in-person) half-days Monday through Friday. The remaining half-days may allow for some flexible scheduling and remote work. A reliable internet connection is required for all remote work.

Responsibilities 

• Performs varied clerical court work involved in Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS) case processing.
• Attends court and facilitates court proceedings remotely and in person, updates cases in MNCIS, prepares and handles court-related paperwork.
• Communicates with judicial officers and chambers staff while working as their assistants in court proceedings and in responding to their requests for information.
• Determines proper routing of court filings; accepts and enters filings using both paper and electronic filing systems; determines processing required and takes action in accordance with court rules or refers highly complex matters to a lead worker or supervisor.
• Assures confidentiality in compliance with local, state, and federal statutes and court rules.
• Assists customers, attorneys, judicial staff, and other partner agencies in-person, by email, and over the phone. Performs quality assurance checks on documents entered into court records.
• Reviews legal documents for completeness, adequacy, accuracy, and compliance with statutes and rules.
• Performs financial activities within the office including assessing and receipting fines/fees and reconciling daily tills. Coordinates the scheduling and calendaring of hearings.
• Assignment of duties may change to meet office demands.

Minimum Qualifications 

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 6 months of employment related to customer service.
• Fluent in English, both verbally and in writing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of court decorum and legal terminology. 
• Ability and willingness to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities and assignments while maintaining a calm demeanor and high level of accuracy.
• Ability to communicate concisely and clearly, both verbally and in writing, as well as understand and follow verbal and written directions.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, the general public, judicial officers, and justice partners.
• Ability to learn and utilize new technology, including but not limited to e-Filing, eSignature, Microsoft Office products, and document management systems.
• Ability to manage and prioritize competing demands simultaneously. Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to take direction well and maintain a patient, professional, and positive attitude through challenging circumstances and potentially disturbing testimony and/or evidence.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 6 months as a court clerk or in the legal field, or an equivalent combination of experience and/or education. 
• Experience and knowledge of Family Court.
• Knowledge (from employment and/or education) of the dynamics of Domestic Violence/Harassment/Stalking.
• Experience working with individuals in crisis.
• Experience working with individuals with diverse backgrounds.
• Fluent in one of the following languages: Spanish, Hmong, Karen, Somali, Amharic, Arabic.

Working conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office setting, court room or at a public counter. Work involves contact with persons who may be in fear, confused, angry, upset, abusive or threatening. Work may involve exposure to testimony or evidence that may be disturbing.

Physical demands
Work involves remaining in a stationary position most of the time in front of a computer using a keyboard, mouse, and telephone, regularly operating a computer and ot