Court Administrator

Position:                              Court Administrator                                 Classification:                   Non-exempt, Full-time

Department:                      Justice Court 2                                           Reports to:                         Justice of the Peace

Posting Date:                     05/01/2024                                                 Application Deadline:    Until filled

Position Grade:                 Grade 10                                                      Rate of Pay:                        $20.45/hour

Position Schedule:          Mon. – Fri. 8am – 5pm                               Benefit Eligible:               Full benefits/PERS

Job Summary:

The Court Administrator is responsible for all operational functions of Justice Court Dept. 2 and works directly with the Justice of the Peace in the accounting and auditing tasks of the Justice Court, and assumes administrative duties at the direction of the Justice of the Peace.

The Court Administrator is also responsible for the filing, processing, and disposition of all traffic citations that are filed with Justice Court, Dept. 2.

Employee must be detail-oriented and able to effectively multi-task a variety of projects.  Must be able to work under stress with constant demands on time, while maintaining a productive level of work.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Working directly with Justice of the Peace in management and operations of Ravalli County Justice Court, Dept. 2
• Acts as the Courtroom supervisor and work directly with Justice of the Peace during Court appearances.

Travel Required:

• Between County buildings

Duties/Responsibilities:

Court Administrator

• Acts as a direct liaison between Justice Court and County administration officials, the State Administrator of the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, all law enforcement agencies, banking institutions associated with the Court’s financial issues, and other entities relating to the management and operations of the Court.
• Prepare the Courts preliminary budget.
• Evaluate the status of the Court’s budget during the fiscal year.
• Perform all accounting for the Court, including monthly distribution of cash bonds returns, restitution and overpayments.
• Prepare and audit all claims for accounts payable.
• Receive and process cash bonds and apply them to the appropriate financial accounts.
• Responsible for managing the Court’s calendar.
• Assure that all payments are allocated for proper distribution, such as attorney fees, restitution, jail costs, drug fund, etc.
• Responsible for all jury related duties, including organizing yearly jury lists, calling juries, and acting as Bailiff.

Criminal Case Manager

• Enter new citations within the “Full Court” data entry system. Clerks may rotate this duty. It is the ultimate responsibility of the Court Administrator to see that entries are completed.
• Audit completion of anger management, alcohol treatment, service of jail time, and other sentencing requirements.
• Prepares non-compliance letters.
• Prepares warrants, when required, for signature of the Justice of the Peace, Dept. 2.
• Receive and process surety bonds from the jail and bail bondsmen.
• Audit citation cases for bond forfeitures.
• Investigate criminal records and driver histories as requested by the Justice of the Peace.
• Maintain and do warrant validations. Update citation warrant lists on a regular basis, and distribute the lists to appropriate law enforcement agencies.
• Prepare cases on appeal to District Court.

General Responsibilities

• Operated window-based computer programs.
• Effectively organize and prioritize work projects.
• Plan, organize, set priorities, and work independently and with others.
• Answer the telephone and assist individuals on a variety of issues, including citation, criminal and civil questions, schedule appointments, determine the balance of fines or assessments owed to the Court. Attend to the needs of individuals appearing at the Justice Court counter, including determining through a series of questions, the purpose of the appearance, the case name and file number, the date of the appearance, amounts due on assessment or filing fees, dates assessment are due, or directs the individual to another clerk or another department for proper conclusion of their business.  Obtains and relays information from visitors on their needs and when necessary, refers to appropriate administrative staff.
• Perform relief work at the Court’s counter.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Experience with multi-line telephone system and other routinely used office equipment.
• Typing minimum of 50 wpm.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior clerical experience in a public setting.
• Experience in handling money.
• Experience or demonstrated ability to supervise employees.
• Experience or demonstrated ability to provide over-all office management.

Work Environment:

• Office setting
• Courtroom setting

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Ravalli County is an equal employment opportunity employer (EEO).  Ravalli County does not refuse employment or discriminate in compensation or the other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment based upon race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, or veteran’s status.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.