Job Abstract

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Open court sessions; serve as liaison between attorneys, jurors, witnesses, parties to cases and the judicial officers and other courtroom staff.
• Observe people and activities during court sessions and report disruptions, security violations or suspicious items to Sheriff's or other appropriate personnel; use alarm systems and contact appropriate resource in the event of emergency situations; comply with evacuation plan and report actions as necessary.
• Direct members of the media and the public to appropriate area or personnel and respond to questions in a courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Instruct jurors and the public on appropriate courtroom protocol.
• Assist courtroom clerks during jury selection process.
• Review documents for completeness, accuracy and conformance to rules, codes, policies, and protocols.
• Prepare court calendars, documents and case files for hearings.

COURT ATTENDANT TRAINEE:
One (1) year full time (or equivalent) experience of clerical, customer service, legal/court case processing or other experience that would demonstrate possession of the required knowledge and abilities.

SUBSTITUTION:
Completion of twenty-four (24) college semester units or thirty-six (36) quarter units in business administration, administration of justice, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for up to one (1) year of experience. Note: To receive substitution credit, a copy of your official college transcripts must be included with your application.


Required Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of (General Knowledge Required for Journey Level Court Attendant)

• Legal terminology and court procedures; customer service practices; problem solving and conflict resolution techniques; modern office procedures and equipment.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation, basic mathematical calculations.
• Clerical and legal record keeping practices and procedures; preparation of correspondence, reports and statistical summaries.
• Modern office methods; personal computers, commonly used software applications, court case management system, computerized data and record keeping systems.
• Functions, practices and procedures in a courtroom and the legal system.
• Telephone usage and etiquette.
• Alphabetic, numeric, and chronological indexing of records and files.
• Court procedures, rules and protocols; record maintenance processes and procedures.
• California Codes and Rules of the Court pertaining to Civil court operations.
• Purpose and processing of court related documents, operations, procedures and jurisdictions of the court.

• Observe situations, recognize when to react and take appropriate course of action; use good judgment and interpersonal skills to calm disputes in the courtroom and surrounding areas of responsibility.
• Listen and obtain accurate and complete information from judicial officers, court staff, attorneys, jurors, and other personnel to identify and appropriately respond to their needs.
• Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with judicial officers, court staff, attorneys, jurors, law enforcement or public agency personnel, and the public; understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Maintain order and silence in a courtroom; assist judicial officers, attorneys, and other personnel; remain calm in a fast-paced work environment while effectively handling competing and multiple tasks.
• Accurately and quickly use a computer system to retrieve information, record entries, and/or update case information; operate and set up equipment used in the courtroom.
• Use tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential issues and situations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with judicial officers, court staff, and other personnel encountered in the course of work.
• Interact with the public and others in a high visibility and/or high-volume environment which may involve intense and difficult situations; ensure parties conform to rules and procedures; elevate issues to the judicial officer, security or management for resolution when appropriate.
• Schedule cases, notify concerned parties, place cases on calendar, and assemble case documents; compile a variety of narrative and statistical reports and court case statistics.
• Read and understand correspondence and forms; learn court methods, procedures, rules and legal terminology. Carry our duties in accordance with applicable policies and procedures, and within scope of responsibility.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Must wear court-provided or approved attire.