Apprentice Court Clerk

About the Role

This is an entry-level Apprentice Court Clerk position performing duties in a court that utilizes an electronic filing system. Work is performed under close supervision while learning general office knowledge and specific court policies and procedures. The role involves responsibility for court case processing, which may require independent judgment and application of statutes, policies, and regulations. Frequent interaction with the public providing exceptional customer service is required. The position may also involve financial record keeping within an automated case management system or providing direct support for a circuit or associate circuit judge.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform technical clerical work in the Civil - Associate Docketing Department.
• Accept, maintain, manage, review, and process documents submitted via E-filing.
• Assign motion and trial documents to the division clerk.
• Make docket entries from pleadings filed within the courtroom.
• Schedule case filings.
• Prepare dockets and weekly assigned in-courtroom duties for the call docket.
• Clear call dockets by reviewing, entering, and scanning judgments, continuing cases, or issuing alias/pluries summonses.
• Interact with attorneys, litigants, judges, administrators, court personnel, and the general public in person and by telephone.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Perform case processing in receiving and initiating case files.
• Perform technical duties such as reviewing judgments, preparing warrants, summonses, garnishments, and executions, bond settings, and docket control.
• Review legal documents for necessary information required for filing.
• Determine processing required and take necessary action in accordance with court rules.
• Perform accounting duties in receiving and disbursing monies.
• Reconcile financial accounts.
• Prepare daily and monthly financial reports.
• Prepare a variety of documents related to court operations, including court orders, court calendars, notices of hearings, court appearances, or reports.
• Coordinate the flow of documents necessary for court assignments.
• Properly queue electronically filed proceedings for processing.
• This position may require working at off-site locations throughout St. Louis County.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Electronic filing system
• Automated case management system

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in a related field or at least 60 semester hours from an institution of higher learning.
• Additional experience above the minimum stated may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
• Ability to comprehend court procedures and policies, legal documents, laws, and legal factors pertaining to the court.
• Ability to gain working knowledge of organization operations, functions, and scope of authority of the court.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively while handling a high-volume workload in an environment subject to frequently changing priorities and high stress.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make independent decisions in accordance with general policy and objectives.
• Ability to maintain a variety of complex records and prepare reports from an automated system.

Employees may be exposed to:

• Evidence and testimony that may be disturbing, such as photographs of violent scenes and victims and/or sexually explicit material.
• Evidence that may include syringes, drugs, weapons, and blood.
• The public who may potentially be verbally or physically abusive.
• Allergens, such as perfumes and dust.
• Unpleasant odors, such as unwashed clothing or chemicals offered into evidence.