New job Courtroom Assistant in Arizona

ABOUT THE POSITION:
Judge Peter Thompson seeks a Courtroom Assistant in the Civil Court Division. The Courtroom Assistant provides coordination of courtroom proceedings and performs a variety of specialized legal clerical support duties related to the high volume, fast-paced operations of Civil Court Calendar.

The salary range listed above ($34,320.00 - $39,395.20) reflects the expected ENTRY salary range for this position based on experience and equity within the Judicial Branch. The FULL salary range of this position is $34,320.00 to $54,600.00 annually. This position is exempt under the FLSA.

ABOUT THE SUPERIOR COURT:
The Superior Court of the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is dedicated to providing a safe, fair, and impartial forum for resolving disputes, enhancing access to our services, and providing innovative, evidenced-based practices that improve the safety of our community and ensure the public's trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch. The Superior Court in Maricopa County, one of the largest, most innovative, and Progressive trial courts in the nation, seeks innovative individuals to join our team who will embrace our vision of excellence and the principles inherent in the Rule of Law...every person, every day, every time. We fulfill these principles through a culture that values fairness, respect, integrity, innovation, and safety.

We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications.

Education:

• High School diploma or GED

• Two (2) years of progressively responsible administrative experience, preferably in a court or legal environment

• Post-secondary education and experience may be considered in substitution for the minimum qualifications.

• Bilingual skills in Spanish/English
• Experience within a courtroom environment; maintaining order and integrity of the court process
• Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, iCIS, multi-line telephone systems, copy machine, and faxination
• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an ABA accredited law school

• Legal research methods and techniques
• Court policies, procedures and operations
• State laws, rules, and regulations

• Effectively and professionally communicating verbally and in writing to convey information effectively and appropriately based on the audience, including providing directives to large groups of people
• Utilizing the following programs and equipment; Microsoft Outlook, Word, & Excel; iCIS, OnBase, eFile, multi-line telephone system, copy machine, e-courtroom equipment, and fax machine/faxination
• Critical thinking and evaluating information to determine the best solution

• Perform work tasks with attention to detail
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Make sound decisions in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures
• Ability to prioritize tasks and re-prioritize tasks based on importance and time sensitivity

(This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.)

• Interacts directly with the public, jurors, attorneys, case managers, court staff, outside agency staff, court interpreters, MCSO deputies, and court security.
• Prepares the courtroom for hearings, coordinates courtroom actions with Courtroom Clerk, and manages the courtroom during proceedings maintaining order and integrity of the court process.
• Prepares jury room, oversees jury panels, escorts jurors to and from the courtroom, and tends to the needs of the jury including answering non-legal questions.
• Assists witnesses and attorneys during proceedings, including monitoring exhibits for admission prior to publishing to the jury using e-courtroom equipment.
• Prepares e-courtroom equipment (digital FTR recorder, white noise machine, electronic presentation equipment, electronic fingerprint equipment etc.) for use during hearings; coordinates the use of and runs equipment during hearings and troubleshoots technical issues.
• Utilizes court system (iCIS) check-in and printed calendar to determine whether case parties are present, obtain additional information/documents needed for court from litigants, call all parties into the courtroom, communicate cases called with courtroom clerk and the Judicial Officer.
• Prepares files for the court, distributes the court calendar, reviews files for missing information and court readiness, reviews motions for accuracy and compliance with rules of procedure; contacts parties for missing information.
• Assists with case processing, setting hearings, and providing hearing dates during court proceedings.
• Performs critical data entry of hearing outcomes and results into the court system (iCIS) in real-time in order to maintain updated data, modify existing records, or initiate court-ordered actions.
• Utilizes court database systems to complete the final upload of documents into the court docket.
• Works collaboratively with other divisions to offer assistance in times of need, emergency situations, and as scheduled.
• Provides back-up coverage of Judicial Assistant duties at the direction of the Judicial Officer/court administration.
• Assists the Judicial Officer and Judicial Assistant with the calendar & other assignments by request.

The Judicial Branch is posting this position on behalf of a Superior Court Judge. In selecting a candidate for hire, the Superior Court Judge is not subject to the contact requirements within Judicial Branch staffing policies.

Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate up to the midpoint of the range, based on relevant experience, internal equity, and budgetary allowances.

All Judicial Branch offers of employment and continued employment are contingent upon passing a thorough background/fingerprint check. Applicants must completely and fully answer any questions regarding felony and misdemeanor convictions including any convictions that have been expunged or set aside. Failure to include criminal history information is grounds for termination of an offer and employment. A conviction may not automatically disqualify an applicant.

Maricopa County offers a Total Compensation Package that includes competitive salaries and a comprehensive, affordable benefits package. High value is placed on employee well-being and meeting the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package is comprised of traditional benefits like medical, prescription, dental, vision, and other health benefits. Employees are supported by various wellness programs including classes, coaching, and fitness center opportunities. Our generous benefit options are some of the best in Arizona and just one of the unique advantages of working for Maricopa County. Below is a representative listing of typical benefits received by most full-time employees.

Holidays and Leave
Maricopa County observes ten paid holidays per year. Most County employees accrue vacation (starting at three weeks per year for full-time employees) and sick leave (starting at one hour for every 30 hours worked for all employees). Employees also receive paid leave for other needs such as jury duty, civic duty, and bereavement.

Medical, Prescription, Behavioral Health, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
We understand how important health care is to maintaining a good quality of life. We also know our employees want to have the freedom to choose benefit plans to best meet their needs. Eligible employees may choose from four medical plan options, an HMO, PPO, and two HDHP (High Deductible Health Plans) with a health savings account. When employees enroll in medical coverage, they are automatically enrolled in prescription and behavioral health coverage as well. There are three dental plans from which to choose, two PPO plans and a pre-paid dental plan that functions like an HMO. As is the case with medical, the plans range in cost, flexibility, and network of providers. The vision plan provides employees and their covered dependents access to routine vision services and materials, including an annual eye exam. For those who wish to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses, the flexible spending accounts are suitable for that need.

Life and Disability Insurance
Because life sometimes takes unexpected turns, the County offers life insurance coverage to help employees and their loved ones in the event of death. Basic life and basic accidental death & dismemberment insurance equivalent to one times an employee's annual base salary is provided at no cost, with the option for employees to purchase additional coverage including spouse and child life insurance. Disability insurance is available to replace a portion of an employee's salary should they experience a short-term illness or injury.

Retirement
Eligible employees are covered by one of several State-sponsored retirement pension plans, including the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS). Additionally, there's the option to contribute to a 457(b) Savings Plan that provides employees with a variety of investment opportunities. For those employees who retire from the County and from their retirement system, and have accrued 1,000 or more hours of sick leave, the County makes a $10,000 contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan set up on their behalf to be used for payment of eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

Group Legal Plan
Maricopa County offers employees group discounts to purchase coverage for legal services such as adoptions, family matters, wills and trusts.

Wellness
Maricopa County's Wellness Works program promotes health and wellness for employees and their families by focusing on physical activity, good nutrition, self-care and stress management. Maricopa County offers eligible employees a wellness incentive for completing required activities. By meeting a set of criteria, employees and their families can get reimbursed for participating in a Weight Watchers Program. On-site fitness facilities and fitness classes are provided to employees at various locations around the County. Employees and their families also have the opportunity to receive a discounted fitness club membership at LA Fitness. Employees have access to smoking cessation programs and health-related classes on various topics including nutrition, exercise and stress management. Employees located downtown benefit from an onsite pharmacy and clinic. Every fall, flu vaccines are offered to employees at various County locations.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
When employees and their families are faced with personal issues, confidential, short-term counseling and referral services are available to them at no cost.

Employee Discounts
Maricopa County subscribes to a service association which provides employees with volume discounts for sporting events, entertainment, and many other services.

Commute Options Program (COP)
Maricopa County provides free Valley Metro passes for the bus and light rail systems for commuting to/from work; a vanpool subsidy is also provided. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear and tear on their vehicle and help the environment all at the same time.

New Employee Orientation (NEO)
NEO provides new employees with information about Maricopa County such as: history, organizational structure, Merit Rules, County policies and procedures, County pay system and benefits and employee programs.

Rewarding Ideas/Employee Suggestions
Employees are provided with incentives to generate ideas for improvements that result in cost reduction through increased efficiency and productivity, improved processes and procedures and elimination of duplication and waste. Our employees' ideas could put money in their pocket!!

Tuition Reimbursement
To promote Maricopa County's long term employee retention objectives, our employees are eligible to receive financial assistance to continue their education, help make them more productive, enhance their job performance, and equip them to pursue new opportunities within County government.

To learn more about the County's generous benefits, visit the Maricopa County Employee Benefits and Wellness website.