Apprentice Lawyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title
Trial Clerk Apprentice I
Location
Clerk of Courts - Orlando, FL US (Primary)
Category
Clerical
Salary Grade
$21.75 - $29.25
Job Type
Full-time
Job Description
Job Overview:
The Trial Clerk Apprentice position is a developmental role to prepare individuals for the Trial Clerk position. The Apprentice will engage in training and on the job application to learn and perform courtroom tasks essential to the smooth operation of the Court. This position serves as an entry point for individuals seeking a career as a Trial Clerk, providing hands-on experience and professional growth opportunities. Key tasks include assisting in both pre courtroom preparation and post-courtroom case updates, developing skills in handling legal documentation and customer interaction, learning payment handling and basic legal research, and supporting general courtroom and clerical operations.
Essential Functions:
Employees performing in this job function may perform some or all the duties. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• Follow procedures to secure courtrooms and exhibits.
• Open courts, calling them to order, and announcing judges.
• Swear all parties in interest, such as jury members, interpreters, witnesses, or defendants in person, via teleconference or video conference.
• Conduct roll calls and poll jurors.
• Record court proceedings or minutes of court proceedings; record information from meetings or other formal proceedings.
• Read charges and related information to the court and, if necessary, record defendants' pleas.
• Prepare and issue orders of the court, such as probation orders, release documentation, sentencing information, or summonses and prepare legal documents.
• Prepare dockets or calendars of cases to be called and record information about legal matters.
• Search files and contact witnesses, attorneys, or litigants to obtain information for the court; search files, databases, or reference materials to obtain needed information; interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
• Instruct parties in cases about timing of court appearances; explain forms, regulations, policies, or procedures.
• Examine legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws or court procedures; verify adherence to requirements.
• Prepare and mark applicable court exhibits or evidence; attach identification information to products, items, or containers.
• Record case dispositions, court orders, or arrangements made for payment of court fees and record information about legal matters.
• Perform administrative tasks, such as answering telephone calls to direct calls or provide information, scanning and filing court documents, or maintaining office supplies or equipment; maintain office equipment in proper operating condition.
• Collect court fees or fines and record amounts collected; collect deposits, payments, or fees.
• Prepare courtrooms with paper, pens, water, easels, or electronic equipment and ensure that recording equipment is working; stock supplies.
• Review and verify all work processes to ensure accuracy and completion of tasks performed.
• Participate in training initiatives to acquire knowledge and skill sets to support efficient functioning of the assigned work unit; learn services and processes in other divisions.
• Perform other functions, duties and conduct special projects and/or research as assigned.
Job Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
• High School Diploma or GED; additional education or legal studies preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing direct contact customer service by phone, email and/or in person or general office work or in a clerical or administrative job, ideally in a legal setting.
• Special training to be completed upon hire OR within six (6) months of hire:
o Navigator
o Outlook
o Clerk Edition
Preferred Qualifications:
• AA Degree in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Public Administration, or relevant field.
• One (1) year relevant experience at a law firm, State Attorney office, Corrections, or similar organization.
• One (1) year of progressively responsible work experience which involved the receiving and examining or preparing and/or processing of legal forms and documents used in court proceedings. Such experience must have provided the knowledge of the nature and purpose of legal paper and documents being handled, determining what constitutes the official permanent records, and determining what information and/or action is necessary for processing of legal papers and documents.
• Working knowledge and experience in three or more complex court functions.
• Good understanding of the operations of the judicial system and court procedures.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Proficiency working with a personal computer in Windows environment and utilizing word processing (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook).
• Operate standard office equipment (computer, fax, telephone, copier, scanner, etc.).
• Ability to:
o Interact professionally and develop and maintain effective working relationships with the Judiciary, Judicial Assistants, legal community, superiors, coworkers, general public, and other court and work-related agencies.
o Speak clearly and distinctly in a well-modulated and pleasant voice and use correct grammatical constructions.
o Demonstrate knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, to include customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
o Understand the general strategic organization of records, records maintenance, file retention and destruction policies.
o Demonstrate knowledge of general office policies, procedures, practices and of legal terminology and court procedures.
o Comprehend related industry, organizational and departmental legal guides, recommendations, best practices, ordinances and laws.
o Maintain confidentiality with regards to all court files.
o Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times.
o Provide court coverage based on the needs of the organization.
o Demonstrate strong organization, prioritizing and problem-solving skills.
o Process a high volume of court documents in a timely, organized, efficient manner.
o Multitask and work well in a highly stressful environment.
o Be flexible to work unscheduled overtime based on organizational needs, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
o Resolve daily challenges with little involvement from leadership.
Working Conditions:
This job is absent of disagreeable working conditions. This job is performed in an office work environment.
This is a Safety and Security Sensitive Position in which a drug impairment constitutes an immediate and direct threat to public health, safety, or security, requiring a high degree of public trust in protecting court records and individual PII (Personally Identifiable Information). The Orange County Clerk of Courts Safety and Security Sensitive Positions requires the employee to perform one or more of the following:
• Work with confidential customer and/or employee information.
• Access our Case Management System "Odyssey" that contains PII (personally identifiable information).
• Access to our "Munis System" that contains our banking accounts information, financial information, and PII (personally identifiable information).
• Access Court Evidence that includes but is not limited to (controlled substances, criminal investigation documents, weapons, and other like items).
• Access to the juvenile facility.
• Handle cash and other forms of payment such as credit cards.
• Set up deferred payments for customers.
• Be sworn to "Oath by the Clerk".
• Operate heavy equipment such as a forklift and scissor lift.
• Operate company vehicle.
Physical Requirements:
• Constant: sitting, speaking and hearing
• Constant: typing, writing, and reading
• Occasional: standing, walking, reaching over head, carrying, pushing, lifting (up to 25 pounds)
• Occasional: driving
# of Hires Needed
1
Closing Date