Job Title:  Court Administrator

Department:    Administration

FLSA Status: Fulltime Non-Exempt Reports to: City Secretary

Apply:       https://www.ci.garden-ridge.tx.us/jobs.aspx

JOB SUMMARY

The Court Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the municipal court, requiring a specialized knowledge of court operations, processes, policies, and procedures. The Court Administrator is also responsible for providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers, along with providing support to department operations. This position involves considerable contact with the public, city officials, and city staff; therefore, requiring professionalism and effective communication skills.

BENEFITS

Pay Range:        $25 - $30 hourly ($52,000 - $62,400 annually) based on qualifications and experience. Certification:   $300 annually for Level I / $400 annually for Level II / $600 annually for Level III. Paid Time Off: PTO accrual begins immediately at 4.50 hours per pay period.

Eligible for use after release of probationary period.

Holidays:           14 City Holidays + 1 Floating Holiday per year. Longevity:     $120 annually for each full year of employment.

Retirement:       TMRS (Employee Contribution: 5%)(City Contribution: 2 to 1). Insurance:    Employee Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance paid by City.

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability/Life and AD&D Insurance paid by City.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, CERTIFICATES, AND/OR LICENSE

A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a municipal court or a municipal government setting required. An equivalent combination of relevant experience and education may be considered.

Level I Certification through the Texas Court Clerks Association required, with the city supporting the candidate’s pursuit of a Level II and/or Level III.

Experience in secretarial/clerical work required. Experience in cash management operations preferred. High school diploma or GED required.

Valid Texas Driver License with a satisfactory driving record required.

Must be able to obtain and maintain Notary Public commission within six (6) months of employment.

The City of Garden Ridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. The City of Garden Ridge provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at (210) 651-6632.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include but are not limited to any of the following representative duties, knowledge, skills, abilities, and physical or mental demands. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function.

Duties

Manage all municipal court operations, services, and activities in an accurate and timely manner in accordance with laws, city ordinances, and internal policies/procedures.

Serve as the clerk of the municipal court as well as the city’s administrative representative of the municipal court to city administration, other city departments, courts, government agencies, and the public.

Monitor and maintain municipal court dockets; maintain printed and electronic docket jackets for citations issued with accurate information regarding payments, status of payment arrangements, direction from the Judge and/or Prosecutor, and/or related information.

Prepare and/or process a variety of court paperwork and reports, which may include warrants, extension applications, delinquency paperwork, payment agreements, motions, complaints, citations, appeals, deferred disposition requests, jury selection forms, dockets, and/or other related paperwork.

Input citations into the municipal court system; input payments into the municipal court system and cash collection system; maintain current schedules of fines and court costs; forward all active FTAs and warrants to collections services contracting with the city; monitor and maintain the status of all FTAs and warrants; process collections received.

Coordinate, schedule, and oversee the administration of regular dockets, pretrial conferences, bench trials, jury trials, and/or related matters.

Respond to requests for information and inquiries from a variety of individuals, which may include internal staff, attorneys, defendants, Judges, the public, and/or other interested individuals.

Prepare accurate daily, weekly, and/or end of month closeout of cash collection system.

Develop, improve, and/or implement policies and procedures as needed for efficient operation of the court. Prepare and post documents for mailing; assist with distribution of mail in a timely manner.

Responsible for records management for all records pertaining to the court.

Assist with functions related to utility billing and serve as a back up to the Utility Clerk.

Perform general clerical duties such as typing, filing, data entry/retrieval; daily opening and closing procedures; direct calls and visitors as appropriate; answer questions and provide information to the public; receive and respond to citizen concerns and/or refer to appropriate department staff member for resolution; issue and track licenses, permits, registrations, park rental contracts, and/or other administrative documents; draft various types of correspondence in accordance with city ordinances and policies.

Provide clerical support to other city departments and city officials as needed and as directed.

Assist and participate in various city events and functions; perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of the municipal court system, municipal court record keeping/reporting terminology, and municipal court processes.

Knowledge and proficiency in operating computers and related technology with various operating systems, software, and applications; ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to: phone systems, copy/scan/fax machines, shredding machines, postage machines, projectors, and calculators.

Ability to accurately and timely perform arithmetic computations; research various ordinances and statutes; read, analyze, and interpret reports and documents; accurately record, document, and process complex information in a timely manner; and maintain accurate, legible, and concise records of official city business.

Possess strong organizational skills with the ability to manage time efficiently and effectively; organize and prioritize multiple assignments to meet deadlines; plan, prioritize, and carry out tasks and assignments independently in the absence of specific instructions and with minimal supervision.

Possess strong interpersonal skills; ability to establish successful working relationships while working with a wide variety of individuals in a professional and courteous demeanor; ability to perform effectively as a member of a team in carrying out the city’s mission and goals.

Ability to provide services, accurate information, or assistance in a courteous and timely manner; possess excellent technical writing and grammar skills to communicate, respond, and articulate information professionally and effectively.

Ability to meet strict deadlines while maintaining a high degree of accuracy in a fast-paced environment; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; identify what information is needed for effective action; and exercise reasonable and sound judgment.

Ability to keep sensitive and/or confidential information secure from disclosure and maintain a high level of integrity with exceptional ethical standards.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodations. Work is performed in a fast paced, well lite, high noise level office environment that requires the employee to work under time pressures, distractions, and other disturbances. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally required to encounter unpleasant social situations such as irate or visually upset individuals.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is continuously required to:

• Perform repetitive activities and remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time answering phones, performing computer work, filing, copying, and other administrative work.
• Operate a computer and other office productivity equipment.
• Move about inside the office to assist customers, access file cabinets, and operate office equipment.
• Work evenings after regular business hours on an average of two (2) times per month.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally required to:

• Travel overnight for up to three (3) days at a time (training, seminars, and educational purposes).
• Work an occasional non-regular workday (weekend or holiday) as necessary.
• Assist with any needs of the city when emergency management procedures are activated.