• Potential $0 (zero) Cost Individual Health/Dental Benefits. • RSA Retirement Benefits. The position of Clerk Magistrate is a clerical and judicial position that involves the daily activities of the Municipal Court Office and court sessions. Any of the functions of a magistrate as defined by the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 18. Prepares cases set for trial docket and diversion dockets and works closely with the prosecution, officers, defense attorney, defendant, witnesses and complainant in scheduling trial cases and proper notification of any continuances. Assures that all motions are properly filed with cases and responded to as required. Monitors cases for bond fees and bond filing fees. Prepares subpoenas, bond forfeitures and other legal documentation. Assists in court sessions as required. Answers telephone and responds to questions for general information or directs calls and takes messages. Works service window taking payments, providing general information, or connecting individuals to proper resources. Properly maintains payment records. Works up payments received by mail and distributes mail to other court staff as required. Maintains balanced cash drawer. Enter large volumes of court data requiring a high degree of speed, accuracy, and confidentiality. Orders driving histories from the Department of Public Safety. Assures all required documentation accompanies cases and that all cases are properly prepared for court. Maintains extensive record keeping and filing system with high degree of accuracy. Prepares and verifies dockets, attendance sheets, etc. Enters adjudications and other orders after court sessions. Assures dispositions are distributed to other agencies if required. Prepares and mails notices of failure to appear. Completes driver's license suspension documentation as required. Issues Failure to Appear and Bail Jumping warrants and sets bail on the same. Places police officers under oath, verifies and accepts sworn traffic and parking tickets. Receives pleas of guilty and payment in municipal ordinance cases where the schedule of fines has been prescribed pursuant to Rule 20 of the Alabama Rules of Court and payment for municipal parking tickets. Processes cash, property, professional surety and personal recognizance bonds upon arrest of defendant and files orders of release with the police department or jail. Releases suspended license after all requirements of the court are met. Issues Bondsman's Processes. Assists defendants in filing appeals to the Circuit Court. Releases certified copies of requested public records information. Occasionally opens and closes court office. Assists other court staff as required in the execution of other clerical and judicial tasks as needed for the efficient operation of the Municipal Court Office. Performs other duties, as assigned, by the Court Clerk.

Requirements and Job Conditions:

Must obtain and maintain certifications as required by law and Court Clerk or for the efficient operation of the court. Learn and efficiently operate specialized court software programs and other legal software programs. Make independent and detached decisions regarding legal matters. Multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment. Valid driver's license with good driving record. Must maintain strong driving record for city insurance purposes. Records may be periodically checked by the City. Strong background record required, due to accessibility to city court records and interaction with the public. Regular and prompt attendance. Work well in cooperation with the public, court officials and court staff. Trustworthiness due to the sensitivity of information that must be dealt with on a daily basis. Perform duties under strict timelines and stressful conditions. Ability to work independently. Normal office work conditions with occasional high stress situations. Light lifting required. May require long periods of standing while working service window, court or filing. Some work may be done in a noisy environment created by numerous people interacting concurrently. Must be willing to work varying hours, sometimes with little notice, including overtime, weekends, shift work, holiday work, flex-scheduling, and callouts. If a part-time position, the schedule may change including hours increased or decreased; days of the week worked; number of hours worked per day, week, or pay-period, etc. Requires short term travel for training. May require interaction with inmates in a court or jail environment. Incumbent may be exposed to irate individuals and must have the capability to deal firmly, yet politely, with these individuals. Minimum high school education. Some college preferred. Current Alabama Certified Municipal Magistrate Certification or the ability to obtain certification as prescribed by law. Experience in an office environment with public interaction. Work with alphabetical and numerical filing systems. Data entry experience. General office skills including business correspondence. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook. Operation of Excel and PowerPoint preferred. Work in court office, court sessions, prosecution or criminal defense office preferred. Preferred basic knowledge of criminal law and terminology with a working understanding of Municipal Court operation. Some familiarity with MSG or other court software preferred with knowledge of ILEADS, NCIC, NWS and LETS beneficial. Strong interpersonal and team skills. Strong data entry and typing skills. Ability to operate standard office equipment including computers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, etc. Capacity to communicate verbally in stressful situations in both one-on-one and group settings. Ability to communicate in writing using correct grammar. Excellent reading and comprehension skills. Acceptable penmanship. Maintain high degree of accuracy and details. Documents prepared will be presented in a court of law.

Physical Capabilities:

Ability to communicate verbally and professionally to citizens and general public at City Hall and over the phone in a friendly and facilitating manner. Ability to provide on-going customer service. Ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time. Must have physical motion in order to operate telephone equipment and access various data and documents while providing information.