Floater (Courtroom Clerk)

Circuit Court is seeking a motivated and tech-savvy professional to serve in a team environment as a courtroom clerk. The Circuit Court utilizes state-of-the-art technology to ensure judicial efficiency by integrating modern technologies into traditional courtroom activities. The incumbent in this position should feel comfortable using computers and electronic systems including court case management systems, scanning imaging software, electronic docket scheduling systems, and e-filing.

Provides highly specialized administrative support to a Circuit Court judge in processing court cases, ensuring that proper procedures are followed during court proceedings. Duties include arraigning defendants, administering oaths and affirmations, maintaining the status of cases, custody of court documents, and security of exhibits during court proceedings. Responsible for compiling accurate and legible notes of court proceedings and bench rulings, memorializing rulings of the courts. Work includes frequent preparation and processing of court orders, legal authorization forms, probation referrals, and jail cards according to the judge's ruling, the Code of Virginia, and the rules of the Virginia Supreme Court.

Schedule: Overtime is frequently required with little or no advance notice due to the unpredictable length of courtroom trials.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

Maintains dockets of scheduled cases;
Attends court proceedings, arraigns defendants, and administers oaths and affirmations;
Records case dispositions, court orders, or arrangements made for payment of court fees;
Prepares documents recording the outcomes of court proceedings;
Manages chain of custody of physical and demonstrative evidence proffered and admitted during trial;
Examines legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws and/or court procedures;
Prepares and processes court orders, probation referrals, release documentation, criminal sentencing information, or summonses.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Knowledge of the functions of the assigned business areas and/or court procedures;
Knowledge of the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Supreme Court's Clerk's Manual, laws and regulations related to the assigned business areas;
Knowledge of standard administrative procedures, practices, and equipment;
Ability to communicate courteously and effectively, both verbally and in writing;
Ability to demonstrate and enforce courtroom decorum;
Ability to take and transcribe notes of court proceedings;
Ability to listen and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences;
Ability to read and understand information presented in writing;
Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy;
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals, including the judges, general public, members of the legal and business community, and department staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to high school graduation; plus, four years of experience providing administrative support, technical support, customer service, or working in a court or legal environment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position is considered "essential personnel" and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
• The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

• Associate's degree.
• Four or more years of experience working in a federal or state trial court or other legal environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of the Code of Virginia and regulations in relevant areas.
• Experience in managing confidential court records or confidential public records.
• Ability to multitask and work with limited direction to address identified objectives.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, initiative, creativity, and independent judgment.
• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office computer software, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook.