What are the responsibilities and job description for the DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE - COURT CLERK, INTERMEDIATE (CRIMINAL) position at County of El Paso, TX?
Minimum Qualifications
Acceptable Experience and Education
Associates Degree in Criminal Justice or a directly related field and two (2) years of office clerical experience; with experience in legal procedures, terminology, the court system, and customer service.
Depending on area assigned: with one (1) year cashier experience.
Or, any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Certificates and Licenses Required (Depending on area of assignment):
May require Deputy Clerk deputizing; may require AOP certification;
Preferred:
Certified Clerk from Texas Justice Court
Master Certified Clerk from Texas Justice Court
May require or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.
Typical Duties
Essential Duties
Assists the Court in retrieving, organizing, and preparing case files prior to submission to courts and hearings;
Creates, corrects events, dispositions and statistical closures;
Ensures data entered on documents is accurate;
Ensures the computed court costs and fees are according to court dispositions and judgments;
As directed attends court proceedings; creates documents on arraignments, jail pleas, dispositions, dismissals, bond orders, and judgments;
Prepares documents for verdicts and sentencing at completion of trials;
Files, scans, and stores documents;
As directed conducts criminal searches for customers and agencies; prepares certified copies and disposition letters as needed; receives, documents, scans, and executes warrants, subpoenas, and alias capias; processes warrant declines;
Meets statutory timelines required for judgments and issues credits for time served by the defendants;
Prepares court docket; retrieves, organizes and prepares case files prior to submission to courts and hearings;
Prepares requests, subpoenas, abstracts, orders of sales, executions, citations, service packets, and related legal documents;
Responds to requests in person, by mail, and by telephone in accordance with established policies, procedures and regulations;
Researches information on case files, collections, judgements, cash bonds, status of cases as requested;
Conducts criminal searches for customers and agencies; prepares certified copies and disposition letters as needed;
Files, sorts and close case files; performs data entry of files and other legal documentation into an automated data base;
Calculates civil court costs on bond forfeiture cases; completes release/detain order, bond order, etc.;
Calculates proper fees for filings of cases, writs, executions, subpoenas and related documents;
Performs electronic filing;
Assists attorneys in collecting information;
Scans new cases, prints out judgments, files motions and orders;
Secures authorized signatures on legal documents and delivers to appropriate party or department;
Reviews the completion of various applications or documents and processes;
May handle sealed cases;
Substitutes, if assigned, for immediate supervisor or coworkers during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;
Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;
Stays abreast of new trends, statutes, laws, and innovations in the field;
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.
Depending on area assigned:
Reports disposition of cases;
Assists in elimination of errors;
Creates, codes, and documents civil, criminal, probate files and non-arrest warrants; performs data entry of minutes, filing and file control;
Delivers and picks up paperwork from the jail;
Records executions issued and the returns on the executions;
Keeps index of parties to all suits filed in the court;
Assists with jurors and contact updates; contacts jurors; creates list of jurors for selection; prepares paperwork for verdicts/sentencing; distributes checks to jurors;
Takes and processes fingerprints;
Orders revoking personal recognizance bonds;
Coordinates jury trial requests through jury hall;
Receives payments; balances receipts with cash, credit cards, etc.; and processes mail;
Receives appropriate fees; ensures that all information on check(s) is in compliance with check acceptance policy; records all pertinent information in order to cross reference transaction with valid identification and receipts;
Is responsible for handling large amounts of money and balancing daily monies (cash, checks, and credit card transactions) to receipts at close out.
Other Important Duties
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
Be available for work beyond standard workday or workweek hours as necessary to include shift work.
As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.
Job Summary
Summary of Position
The Court Clerk, Intermediate under general supervision, prepares, files, arranges, and maintains all, but not limited to, civil, criminal and probate legal documentation for a specific court and judge. The Court Clerk, Intermediate is distinguished from the entry-level Court Clerk by greater discretionary authority and work complexity.
Depending on area assigned: Incumbent provides clerical, administrative, and/or cashier support to a specific County office or department.
Additional Information
Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: court system; court proceedings; legal terminology; the principles and practices of effective customer service; office practices and procedures; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.
Skill/Ability to: be able to plan and execute work both independently and as a team member; work expeditiously and accurately under pressure with high volume of work; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; conflict resolution with the public; time management; prioritize work with attention to detail; be flexible and adaptable to change; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; be dependable; deal with the public courteously and effectively; work under stressful conditions, and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; Pass a Criminal Background Check; Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.
Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:
- Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
- Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
- Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
- Maintain strict confidentiality;
- Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,
- Maintain and enhance the County's commitment to customer service excellence
Organizational Relationships
Reports to: Supervisor, Manager, or designee
Directs: This is a non-supervisory position
Other: Has frequent contact with representatives of courts, law enforcement agencies, general public and other county employees
HOLIDAYS
16 holidays per year as recognized.
VACATION
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 6 months of continuous service. Year to year carry-over accruals are limited to twice the employee's annual rate. Part-time employees accrue vacation at half the rate of full-time employees.
10 days (1 through less than 5 years of service)
15 days (5 through less than 15 years of service)
20 days (15 years of service or over)
SICK LEAVE
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 3 months of full time service. Employees accrue 15 days of sick leave per year.
MISCELLANEOUS PAID LEAVES
Military Leave – 15 days of paid leave per fiscal year for active military service
Bereavement Leave – 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family members and 4 hours for other family members and friends.
MEDICAL HEALTH BENEFITS
Plan Costs – Biweekly Rates
Effective January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
Medical
Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP)
No Discounts
EE Only $5.34
EE & Spouse $145.30
EE & Children $101.93
EE & Family $238.07
2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $5.24
EE & Spouse - $142.39
EE & Children - $99.89
EE & Family - $233.31
4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.14
EE & Spouse - $139.49
EE & Children - $97.85
EE & Family - $228.55
6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.04
EE & Spouse - $136.58
EE & Children - $95.81
EE & Family - $223.79
Core Plan
No Discounts
EE Only - $35.70
EE & Spouse - $226.41
EE & Children - $174.96
EE & Family - $358.61
2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $34.98
EE & Spouse - $221.88
EE & Children - $171.46
EE & Family - $351.44
4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $34.26
EE & Spouse - $217.35
EE & Children -$167.96
EE & Family - $344.27
6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $33.56
EE & Spouse - $212.83
EE & Children - $164.46
EE & Family - $337.09
RETIREMENT
Retirement benefits are provided by the Texas County and District Retirement Fund (TCDRS). Regular employees become a member of TCDRS upon hire. All regular employees are required to contribute 7% to the retirement fund and the County matches 250% upon eligible retirements.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program.
LIFE INSURANCE
Full-time County employees are provided a basic life insurance benefit of $10,000 life insurance at no cost. Supplemental coverage is available for additional fees.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY
The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period above 90 days.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY
The Short-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period shorter than 90 days.
RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE
Employees who retire from the County are eligible to continue Health Insurance at the rate set by the El Paso County Risk Pool Board.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of counseling services.
SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM
The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE REIMBURSEMENT
Reimbursement of $15 per month for 6 months of continuous gym usage.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EdAP)
Reimbursement up to $2000 per calendar year for eligible education expenses.
EMPLOYEE FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER
The Employee Fitness and Wellness Center opened in October 2021 at the County Courthouse. The cost is $5 per employee per month.
Salary : $2,000