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Courthouse Entry Level Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Superior Court of Santa Cruz

Courtroom Clerk I

Santa Cruz, CA · On-site

$28.16 - $35.65/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Santa Cruz Courthouse, CA Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 7.06.2026 Department: SC Criminal and ... This is an entry-level position in this series. Incumbents receive training in courtroom procedures ...

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How much do courthouse entry level jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for courthouse entry level in the United States is $16.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a courthouse entry level employee?

To thrive in a Courthouse Entry Level position, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, strong organizational skills, and basic knowledge of legal procedures. Familiarity with office software, document management systems, and sometimes background checks or security protocols is often required. Attention to detail, professionalism, and effective communication skills help individuals excel in a legal environment. These skills ensure the smooth operation of courthouse activities and the accurate handling of sensitive legal documents and interactions.

What is a courthouse entry level job?

Courthouse entry level jobs are positions within a courthouse that require little or no prior experience in the legal field. These roles often include administrative assistants, clerks, bailiffs, file clerks, or customer service representatives who help with the day-to-day operations of the courthouse. Entry level employees support court staff, handle paperwork, assist the public, and ensure that court processes run smoothly. These jobs are a great way to gain experience in the legal system and can serve as a stepping stone to more advanced roles in the judicial sector.

What are the typical responsibilities of a courthouse entry level employee?

As an entry-level courthouse employee, your daily tasks may include assisting with filing legal documents, directing visitors, managing case files, and supporting courtroom staff such as clerks and bailiffs. This role is essential for maintaining efficient court operations and ensuring that legal proceedings run smoothly. Entry-level staff often collaborate with attorneys, judges, and the public, gaining valuable exposure to the legal system. Over time, this experience can open up opportunities for advancement within the judicial system.

What is the difference between Courthouse Entry Level vs Court Clerk?

AspectCourthouse Entry LevelCourt Clerk
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some positions may require paralegal certificationHigh school diploma; some roles may require certification or associate degree
Work EnvironmentCourthouses, administrative offices, legal settingsCourthouses, administrative offices, legal settings
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, legal institutionsCourts, government agencies, legal institutions
Common Search & ComparisonEntry-level legal support roles in courthousesAdministrative support in court settings

The Courthouse Entry Level position typically involves basic administrative tasks within a courthouse environment, often requiring minimal experience. A Court Clerk, while similar, may have additional responsibilities such as managing court records and assisting with case processing. Both roles serve as foundational legal support positions but differ slightly in scope and specific duties.

What are the most commonly searched types of Courthouse jobs?

The most popular types of Courthouse jobs are:

What states have the most Courthouse Entry Level jobs?

States with the most job openings for Courthouse Entry Level jobs include:

Courthouse Entry Level jobs near you
Infographic showing various Courthouse Entry Level job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,227 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Courtroom Clerk I

Superior Court of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA • On-site

$28.16 - $35.65/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Salary: $28.16 - $35.65 Hourly
Location : Santa Cruz Courthouse, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 7.06.2026
Department: SC Criminal and Traffic Operations
Division: Court User Services
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The Courtroom Clerk I is open to both internal and external candidates. This is an entry-level position in this series. Incumbents receive training in courtroom procedures and initially assist an experienced Courtroom Clerk during trials and hearings to learn how to prepare minutes for court proceedings. Work is closely supervised until the incumbent has gained proficiency in the role. We are currently recruiting for the Courtroom Clerk position, offering a great opportunity for individuals seeking experience in legal procedures while performing various clerical tasks.
Recruitment Process:
  1. After the recruitment period ends, an exam will be scheduled for all applicants.
  2. Applicants who successfully pass the exam will be placed on an eligible list for up to one year for external candidates and two years for internal candidates.
  3. As positions become available, applicants on the eligible list will be invited for an interview.
  4. Positions may be based at either the Watsonville or Santa Cruz Courthouse.

  • Attend court sessions to record minutes of all proceedings.
  • Administer oaths and manage exhibits during trials, including valuables, weapons, and drugs, ensuring proper custody.
  • Notify the Jury Commissioner of trial dates and request jurors.
  • Impanel juries and maintain attendance records for jurors during trials.
  • Calculate and collect fees and fines.
  • Prepare various legal documents related to court judgments, including minute orders, probation orders, verdicts, commitments, and abstracts.
  • Review legal documents submitted to the court for completeness, accuracy, and proper legal format for judge review and official filing.
  • Verify that all necessary documents are present and ready in case files before court dates.
  • Advise new and visiting judicial officers on county-specific procedures and local standard sentences.
  • Prepare, issue, and recall bench warrants and send notices of court actions.
  • Record Grand Jury indictments and manage court calendars, including hearings, continuances, and special settings in coordination with the master calendar clerk.
  • Track statistics for all hearings and trials.
  • Use computer terminals to input and access case data.
  • Answer phone calls, take messages, and notify attorneys of hearing dates.
  • Prepare prospective verdicts for jury trials.
  • Maintain and prepare records, reports, and correspondence.
  • Provide training and technical direction to other staff members.
  • May serve as temporary relief for other positions as needed, including providing vacation coverage.

Qualifications:
Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities is acceptable, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the necessary qualifications includes:
  • Two years of legal clerical experience processing legal documents, forms, or records related to court proceedings; or
  • Possession of a paralegal certificate.
Completion of coursework from a law school or major coursework from an accredited college, university, or business school in a related field may be substituted on a month-to-month basis for up to six months of the required two years of experience.
Background Investigations: Fingerprinting is required.
Courtroom Clerk I will have a thorough knowledge of:
  • Office procedures and practices.
Working knowledge of:
  • English grammar, spelling and punctuation;
  • Basic arithmetic including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; and
  • Legal terminology, forms and documents.
Some knowledge of:
  • California statutes related to Superior Court procedures such as the Civil Code of Procedure, Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Welfare Code and Institutions Code, and Rules of Court.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
SEIU AND CWA REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES
Annual Leave: 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Maximum balance is 2 ½ times annual accrual. Balance paid out upon separation. No accruals available for use until end of 520 hours of employment.
Holidays: 14.5 paid holidays per year.
Retirement: CalPERS retirement plan (2% at age 62) integrated with Social Security; employee contributes 7% of salary pre-tax.
Medical: The Court contracts with CalPERS for a variety of health plans. For most plans Court contributions pay a large majority of the premiums for employees and dependents. Opt-Out for cash is available.
Dental: Court pays for employee and dependent coverage.
Vision: Court pays for employee and dependent coverage.
Life Insurance: Court paid $20,000 term policy for employee only; supplemental employee-paid plan available for employee and dependents.
Short Term Disability: Court paid; provides 66 2/3 of weekly salary up to maximum of $2,000 per week.
Long Term Disability: Court paid; provides 66 2/3 of monthly salary up to maximum of $9,000 per month.
Deferred Compensation: 457b plan available; employee voluntary deductions only.
Retiree Health Program: Retirees with at least 5 years of service with our court will have a portion of their monthly CalPERS health insurance cost paid. For retirees with at least 25 years of service, the Court will pay a 100% of the premium for the lowest cost applicable CalPERS HMO or Medicare HMO insurance premium not to exceed $1,000.00 Employees must work with the Court for at least 5 years to qualify and each employee contributes 1% of their base pay on a pre-tax basis to partially fund the Court's retiree health program.

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