Job Title

Courtroom Clerk

Division/Department

Title IV-D Child Support Division

Closing Date

November 24, 2024

Location

Circuit Court for Baltimore County, 401 Bosley Ave.
Towson, MD 21204

Salary

$55,706

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Financial Disclosure

Yes

At Will

No

Position Type

FT

The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans.
Maryland Judiciary Benefits (mdcourts.gov)
About the Maryland Court System | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov)
Online Publishing J.T Scales 06.26.2024.xlsx (mdcourts.gov)

Essential Job Functions:
This is experienced clerical work performed within a courtroom. The incumbent manages the Title IV-D Child Support and Paternity caseload from beginning to end. Initializes cases in the MDEC computer system; reviews and enters pleadings and orders; prepares summonses and writs; and indexes new cases and judgments. Multi-tasks in the Clerk?s Office and courtroom to initiate and dispose cases, docket pleadings and orders, and administer oaths. Serves as a Support Courtroom Clerk for Judges and/or Family Magistrates regarding Title IV-D Child Support Court proceedings and ensures accurate records of Court proceedings are processed and docketed daily. Acts as a liaison between the Judges, Family Magistrates, attorneys, Office of Child Support, other state officials and the public; assists them by providing information about the status of cases or Clerk?s Office procedures both at the counter and by telephone.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Review and process new Title IV-D Child Support cases, pleadings and orders signed by Judges including establishing case files.
Process orders submitted by Baltimore County Child Support Administration, Family Employment & Support Program (FESP), and e-serve copies of signed orders.
E-serve Child Support summonses and writs for the Baltimore County Child Support Administration
E-serve Notice of Child Support Liens
Process monetary judgments and e-serve writs of garnishments
Issue Body Attachments and Writs of Habeas Corpus Ad Testificandum; print and hand carry to Sheriff?s Office for service.
Print and mail copies of Paternity decrees to Department of Vital Records
Process Modifications and Contempts as post-judgment activities
Process Family Magistrates? Reports and conclude calendar events.
Ensure electronic and paper submissions follow the current State Court Administrator practices
Work for an assigned Judge and/or Family Magistrate in open Court proceedings for Title IV-D Child Support, FESP, Medical and Contempt dockets
Collect and maintain pleadings prior to, during and after trial.
Collect, mark, and maintain exhibits/evidence during trial, and ensure evidence is properly maintained or returned after trial.
Administer appropriate oaths during Court proceedings.
Complete ?in-court? paperwork (evidence log, witness list, etc.)
Act as Liaison in the Courtroom between Judges, Family Magistrates, attorneys, other state officials, as well as the public
Conclude/postpone/continue/vacate cases in courtroom minutes
Process incarceration and release forms as appropriate
Docket open Court proceedings in all Child Support cases heard before the Court including the FESP, Medical and Contempt dockets.
Proofread docket entries for errors after completion.
Dispose of cases when appropriate
Coordinate with Baltimore County Child Support Administration personnel regarding the number of hearings allowed on each of their dockets.
Monitor the number of hearings set to ensure they do not exceed the established limits.
Provide dates in court for returning Respondents
Assist attorneys and self-represented litigants in filings and understanding court procedures.
Process Child Support bail releases
Answer telephone calls and assist public accordingly.
Research case histories and be resourceful enough to answer questions of self-represented litigants without giving legal advice.
Direct customers to other related counties and/or state agencies who could further assist them.
Double-check work received at the customer service window before accepting documents for filing.
Direct self-represented litigants to judiciary website or Baltimore County Child Support Administration to obtain needed self-represented litigant forms and instructions
Administrative:
Keep accurate count of supplies used to process support cases to qualify for federal reimbursement
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
High school diploma (or GED equivalent).
Experience:
Two (2) years of work experience, to include one (1) year in court operations or in the fields of criminal justice, parole and probation, legal or financial services.
Note:
A Bachelor?s Degree may substitute the required work experience.
A Paralegal/Associates Degree or 60 college credits may substitute the required work experience.
A Paralegal Certificate may substitute the required work experience
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
Reading and applying job-related terminology, codes, policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and laws as required
Defining problems, collecting, and recording data, establishing facts, drawing valid conclusions,
applying common sense understanding and making decisions based on experience to solve problems in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Researching and locating records including differentiating colors used in office filing systems and comprehending and performing numeric sorting and placement of up to 11 alphanumeric characters
Skill in:
Dependability and teamwork are essential.
Operating a personal computer and/or laptop to perform basic data entry error-free and use a desktop scanner and printer.
Operating a multiple line telephone and answer incoming telephone calls in a respectful and
professional manner; repeat information in the correct text it was given.
Operating a copier to make copies, fax documents and scan documents to email.
Basic math including the ability to count money, make change and operate a computerized cash
register.

Ability to:
Work under pressure in a fast-paced courtroom, handling situations requiring immediate action.
Communicate verbally and in writing utilizing proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling in an
effective, patient, and tactful manner with internal and external customers, including co-workers.
Listen to verbal instructions and/or review written instructions to fulfill requests and complete various
tasks.
Articulate directions, instructions and information in a group or a one-on-one setting to Attorneys,
Baltimore County Child Support Administration agents, Defendants, Judges, Magistrates, Court Staff and other Court agencies using proper word tense and annotation
Multi-task by organizing, setting priorities, focusing, and concentrating to simultaneously process work and responsibilities error-free within considerable time constraints and in an environment with continuous interruptions; make corrections as needed.
Read and interpret comments, notations, and orders, apply independent judgment to discern pertinent information, record essential information and initiate appropriate course of action.
Physical Requirements:
Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Equipment, Machinery and Tools:
Personal computer, printer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, desktop scanner for everyday work (inputting
docket entries, searching for files, searching cases, entering judgments, etc.)
Telephone to answer incoming, place outgoing and transfer calls.
Copier / scanner / fax
Date Stamper
Court Smart digital recording
Soy-based ink pads
Use of a rolling cart to distribute items to other locations is sometimes necessary
Software and Computer Skills:
Windows
Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Power Point
Microsoft Outlook for email communications
Oracle People Soft for CONNECT Timekeeping, HR processes and Enterprise Learning Module to register for training courses
Selection Process:
Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, you must list each position that you held, the length of time that you held each position, and the corresponding duties. Description of duties that state, "see resume" will negatively impact consideration for this position. Applicants will not be contacted for additional information. Only applicants considered for this position will be contacted.
Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
For further information please contact Talent Acquisition at aocta@mdcourts.gov.