APPEALS SPECIALIST I/II (FLEX)

Currently this position reports to our Rancho Cucamonga District.

Under general supervision, performs routine to complex appeals and appellate operational support duties requiring journey-level knowledge of court policies, practices, and procedures applicable to assigned section; and performs related duties as assigned.

  

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Appeals Specialist I/II is the advanced working level in clerk services.  At this level, incumbents perform the full range of work requiring specialized appeals knowledge within the court system. Incumbents rotate through various assignments to accommodate employee development, training and staffing needs of the Appeals and Appellate Division. Appeals Specialist I/II must be cross trained in all litigation types. Within twelve (12) months as an Appeals Specialist I, incumbents must demonstrate proficiency in a variety of designated tasks to progress into the Appeals Specialist II class.   

Employees within the Appeals Specialist II class are experienced, can perform a variety of assignments, and may provide technical guidance and training to other employees within their unit.   Employees in both classes typically report to the Court Services Supervisor or Court Services Manager. Appeals Specialist II may provide on-the-job training.

VIEW THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION.

1. Performs difficult and complex duties to coordinate the entire appeals process of assigned court divisions and/or litigation areas from the time the Notice of Appeal is filed to any post Remittitur activity.
2. Prepare clerks transcripts and applicable indices; coordinate the preparation of Court Reporter transcripts.  Process requests for original exhibits.
3. Receives, sorts and processes legal documents and mail; receives, verifies and accounts for checks, money orders, credit and cash payments made in person or by mail; creates trust accounts and processes trust payments; reviews documents for sufficiency of information, conformity, jurisdiction, completeness, timeliness, and all required supporting documents in accordance with prescribed filing requirements; returns unacceptable documents noting discrepancies and reasons for return.
4. Creates appeals/appellate case files; enters into and retrieves data from the automated case management system; assign and enter applicable statistical codes; files, scans and retrieves appeals documents and related case materials; makes and certifies copies; maintains the order of documents in court files, register of actions, paper and electronic file; purges documents in accordance with pre-determined criteria; assembles documents, identifies and organizes documents and files for transfer to the archives; retrieves records from archives, if necessary.
5. Enters case information on dockets; assists with preparation of court calendars; coordinates the flow of documents necessary for appellate court hearings/calendars; prepares minute orders; attend and may participate in appeal/ appellate hearings when necessary; enters actions from minute orders into appropriate records utilizing the applicable California Rules of Court.
6. Prepares documents and/or draft correspondences for parties that have failed to meet the required timeframe for filing documents or missing information; reviews documents and forms for completeness, accuracy and compliance with California Rules of Court; ensures deadlines are met and documents are transmitted to higher court in a timely manner.
7. Monitors death penalty cases during the entirety of the trial court proceedings.  Prepares the record and indices for the Supreme Court as detailed in the California Rules of Court.
8. Monitors and prepares the record of appeal for Proposition 66 cases and other legislative mandates.
9. Performs telephone and public counter duties; answers routine questions from the public and refers customers to appropriate court staff; responds to questions regarding court procedures and rules and explains legal filing procedures, calendaring procedures, fees, fines and other processes and requirements; receives and file-stamps documents; accepts filings; may schedule appointments and meetings and make meeting arrangements; assists law enforcement agencies or agents, attorneys and their staff, and other court employees with locating information, documents and other court-related materials.
10. Processes payment transactions and accepts payment for a variety of items, including but not limited to copies, forms, fees, fines, trust fees, court reporter transcript fees and, and; prepares and issues receipts; posts payments in the case management system; create and manage trust accounts; reconciles and balances monies received against transaction totals.
11. Handles a variety of case type specific documents such as, Judgment of Death, clerk's transcripts, declarations, notices, letters, jury questionnaires and other appeal related documents into finished form; composes letters in response to requests for general information; composes communications to both the District Court of Appeals and Supreme Courts; prepares  and certifies copies of appeals and trial court records for both the District Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.
12. Process and prepare Juvenile Dependency Writs; and may process and prepare Writ of Habeas Corpus for a Higher Court. 
13. Receive and redact juror questionnaires as appropriate based on the California Rules of Court for the District Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

At the Appeals Specialist II level:
May act as a trainer or assist supervisor in familiarizing new and transferred court employees with assigned duties, processes, procedures and forms; provides technical assistance and guidance in more complex and non-routine activities.Appeals Specialist I – Graduation from high school or GED equivalent, and at least two (2) years of court related clerical or higher-level experience in a California court of law processing legal documents, preparing court calendars, and managing case processes or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. One (1) year of coursework twenty-four (24) semester or thirty-six (36) quarter units) from an accredited college may substitute for a maximum of six (6) months of experience.  Completion of college-level course work is highly desirable.
 
Appeals Specialist I:
 The probationary period for an Appeals Specialist I is twelve (12) months (2,080 paid hours).
 
To promote to Appeals Specialist II:

1. Incumbents must complete twelve (12) months (2,080 paid hours) in the classification of Appeals Specialist I; and
2. Demonstrate competency in the required activities as noted in the Monthly Probation Progress Report; and
3. At a minimum, receive a "Meet Standards" rating on incumbent’s Work Performance Evaluation in all rating categories of the performance appraisal; and
4. Pass the required CORE and case-specific assessment testing.

Incumbents must pass probation and be capable of meeting the proficiency criteria to promote to the Appeals Specialist II within twelve (12) months. 
 
Appeals Specialist II - Journey Level:
Incumbents are fully skilled workers capable of performing the full range of document processing activities. They are competent to work in the full range of performance areas. Appeals Specialist II provides technical assistance in more complex and less routine assignments, conduct technical review or work, and assist the supervisor in planning and implementing work procedures, staff training and similar tasks.

There is no probationary period for employees promoting to Appeal Specialist II from the Appeals Specialist I level.  
 

Knowledge of:

• Standard office practices and procedures, including record keeping and filing;
• Customer service practices and telephone etiquette;
• Court ordinances, codes, procedures and practices regarding computer hardware, software and data security;
• California Rules of Court, codes, local rules, procedures and legal terminology related to preparation/acceptance/processing of legal documents, case calendaring/disposition and other court functions;
• Policies, procedures and rules governing exhibits.
• Principles and procedures of the maintenance and disclosure of public records;
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation;
• Court and/or departmental business processes common for multiple case types;
• Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.

• Applications will be reviewed to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and/or desirables.  Only those who meet the minimum qualifications and desirables (if applicable) will proceed to the next step in the recruitment process.
• Candidates' supplemental question responses may be evaluated and ranked. Candidates successful in step 1 will be invited to perform an assessment and/or screening interviews may be conducted.  
• Candidates who are successful in step 2 will be placed on the eligible list and may be considered for an interview. Placement on the eligible list does not guarantee an interview or employment.

Reasonable Accommodations

Salary : $47,930 - $67,429