Court Clerk Trainee/Court Clerk
Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado, South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States
Definition and Distinguishing Characteristics
Opening Date:
4/23/26
Closing Date:
Continuous
Recruitment Information:
Candidates will be reviewed as applications are received
Court Clerk Trainee Salary Range:
$22.64 - $23.77 per hour
Court Clerk Salary Range:
$24.96 - $30.34 per hour
Under close and general supervision, the Court Clerk Trainee/Court Clerk performs a full range of clerical duties in support of Court operations, inside and outside the courtroom, including a variety of legal processing, public contact, clerical support, records management and courtroom clerk duties.
Court Clerk Trainee
At the entry level, a Court Clerk Trainee is expected to perform tasks of moderate difficulty under supervision. As proficiency increases, more independent job duties are assigned. Positions in this class may perform some courtroom clerk duties; however, the focus of their duties is legal processing, records management, clerical support and public contact (e.g., customer service). As experience is acquired, the incumbent performs duties with increasing independence. Generally, a Court Clerk Trainee advances to Court Clerk after a 12‑month probationary period is completed with satisfactory performance. This class receives close supervision from a supervisor/manager and may receive training and assignments from a Court Clerk or Senior Court Clerk.
Court Clerk
This is the journey level in the Court Clerk series. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are typically filled by advancement from the Court Clerk Trainee classification, or, when filled from the outside, require prior clerical experience in a court or legal office setting. Prior to appointment to Court Clerk, an incumbent must be able to perform the full range of duties at the journey level and meet the qualification standards of the higher class.
Essential Functions and Duties
The Court reserves the right to assign or reassign duties as required to achieve business and operational objectives. When assigned, all essential functions and duties must be accomplished effectively. They include, but are not limited to:
Reviews, files, conforms and processes documents; enters data and/or scans documents into the case management system; updates hard copy case files as needed.
Interprets and applies policies, rules, procedures and regulations; explains legal filing processes, procedures and policies to the public; communicates applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures to staff and the public.
Performs daily accounting in accordance with Court policy; accepts fines and routine filing fees, computes related fees, issues receipts and balances cash drawers.
Maintains case statistics and grant timesheet reporting.
Performs calendaring functions including preparing calendars, posting, updating, routing cases, recording court appearances, managing trial scheduling and related notices.
Assists in courtroom functions such as admitting exhibits, swearing witnesses, preparing minute orders, handling jury-related duties, and maintaining records for the jury coordinator.
Processes all appeals filed with the Court.
Handles jury functions: payroll, failure-to-appear reports, jury notices, summons, phone calls, and coordination with vendors.
Provides training to other Court staff in procedures, processes or duties.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with judicial officers, staff, parties and the public.
Primes backup coverage for other staff.
Travels between Court facilities as required.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Employment Standards
Minimum Qualifications
Court Clerk Trainee
Either:
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent GED, and 1 year of clerical duties experience (knowledge of legal documents desirable).
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent GED, and 1 year of customer‑service experience, demonstrating judgment and initiative in stressful situations.
Education: Associate of Arts degree or higher in a related field.
Court Clerk
Either: High School Diploma or GED, and 1 year experience as a Court Clerk Trainee in El Dorado County Superior Court; or
High School Diploma or GED, and 2 years of duties requiring knowledge of legal documents and court procedures.
Substitutions: completion of an Associate of Arts degree or higher in a related field, or a legal‑assistant or paralegal certificate program up to one (1) year.
Desirable Qualifications
Experience working in a court setting or the legal field.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of:
The legal system and Court procedures, practices and terminology.
Court office processes and procedures including filing, conforming and processing legal documents; records management practices and procedures; organizing and maintaining accurate files and records.
Statutes relating to court legal processes and procedures, including the California Rules of Court; Code of Civil Procedure; Penal Code; Welfare and Institutions Code; Vehicle Code; and other applicable statutes.
Clerical, courtroom, appellate and jury procedures and processes.
Business arithmetic and basic accounting.
Training principles and practices.
Modern office methods and technology, including personal computer and case management systems.
Business communication principles and practices, correct English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Ability to:
Use keyboard and typing skills to prepare timely, error‑free correspondence and documents.
Listen and take notice of important points in Court proceedings.
Work under the pressure of deadlines, conflicting demands and emergencies.
Perform tasks in accordance with established policies, procedures, statutes and standards.
Prepare clear, accurate and effective correspondence, reports, policies, procedures and other written materials.
Enter and retrieve data from case management systems accurately and efficiently.
Organize and prioritize work, meet critical deadlines and coordinate multiple tasks.
Work independently, overseeing and coordinating assigned responsibilities.
Make decisions under pressure in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
Perform detailed, complex and difficult courtroom support work quickly and accurately.
Exercise initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
Use strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of Court staff, elected and appointive bodies, and members of the public.
Use work‑related computer applications such as e‑mail, word processing and/or the internet.
Maintain confidentiality of information when required and exercise discretion and independent judgment.
Maintain accurate records.
Support operational and administrative goals.
Understand and follow oral and written directions and instructions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Other Requirements
Possession of a valid driver’s license may be required depending on the position or the ability to provide alternate transportation that meets job requirements.
Candidates are required to pass a fingerprint clearance by the FBI and DOJ. Convictions may be disqualifying.
All Court employees must take the Oath of Allegiance.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Strength, dexterity, coordination and vision to use keyboard and monitor; hearing to communicate with the public and Court staff; ability to sit for extended periods; walk or otherwise move within the Court facilities; reach with hands and arms; sufficient strength to lift, carry, push or pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds; ability to stoop, kneel, squat and crouch to pick‑up or move objects; speak clearly on the telephone and before groups.
Work is performed in an office environment with little exposure to outside temperatures or dirt and dust. Incumbents are expected to work inside buildings, alongside or closely with others. The working conditions are typically quiet but may be loud at times. The noise level and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy office. Normal business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work outside of these hours may be necessary in certain circumstances.
NOTE:
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job classification, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. They do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
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Opening Date:
4/23/26
Closing Date:
Continuous
Recruitment Information:
Candidates will be reviewed as applications are received
Court Clerk Trainee Salary Range:
$22.64 - $23.77 per hour
Court Clerk Salary Range:
$24.96 - $30.34 per hour
Under close and general supervision, the Court Clerk Trainee/Court Clerk performs a full range of clerical duties in support of Court operations, inside and outside the courtroom, including a variety of legal processing, public contact, clerical support, records management and courtroom clerk duties.
Court Clerk Trainee
At the entry level, a Court Clerk Trainee is expected to perform tasks of moderate difficulty under supervision. As proficiency increases, more independent job duties are assigned. Positions in this class may perform some courtroom clerk duties; however, the focus of their duties is legal processing, records management, clerical support and public contact (e.g., customer service). As experience is acquired, the incumbent performs duties with increasing independence. Generally, a Court Clerk Trainee advances to Court Clerk after a 12‑month probationary period is completed with satisfactory performance. This class receives close supervision from a supervisor/manager and may receive training and assignments from a Court Clerk or Senior Court Clerk.
Court Clerk
This is the journey level in the Court Clerk series. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are typically filled by advancement from the Court Clerk Trainee classification, or, when filled from the outside, require prior clerical experience in a court or legal office setting. Prior to appointment to Court Clerk, an incumbent must be able to perform the full range of duties at the journey level and meet the qualification standards of the higher class.
Essential Functions and Duties
The Court reserves the right to assign or reassign duties as required to achieve business and operational objectives. When assigned, all essential functions and duties must be accomplished effectively. They include, but are not limited to:
Reviews, files, conforms and processes documents; enters data and/or scans documents into the case management system; updates hard copy case files as needed.
Interprets and applies policies, rules, procedures and regulations; explains legal filing processes, procedures and policies to the public; communicates applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures to staff and the public.
Performs daily accounting in accordance with Court policy; accepts fines and routine filing fees, computes related fees, issues receipts and balances cash drawers.
Maintains case statistics and grant timesheet reporting.
Performs calendaring functions including preparing calendars, posting, updating, routing cases, recording court appearances, managing trial scheduling and related notices.
Assists in courtroom functions such as admitting exhibits, swearing witnesses, preparing minute orders, handling jury-related duties, and maintaining records for the jury coordinator.
Processes all appeals filed with the Court.
Handles jury functions: payroll, failure-to-appear reports, jury notices, summons, phone calls, and coordination with vendors.
Provides training to other Court staff in procedures, processes or duties.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with judicial officers, staff, parties and the public.
Primes backup coverage for other staff.
Travels between Court facilities as required.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Employment Standards
Minimum Qualifications
Court Clerk Trainee
Either:
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent GED, and 1 year of clerical duties experience (knowledge of legal documents desirable).
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent GED, and 1 year of customer‑service experience, demonstrating judgment and initiative in stressful situations.
Education: Associate of Arts degree or higher in a related field.
Court Clerk
Either: High School Diploma or GED, and 1 year experience as a Court Clerk Trainee in El Dorado County Superior Court; or
High School Diploma or GED, and 2 years of duties requiring knowledge of legal documents and court procedures.
Substitutions: completion of an Associate of Arts degree or higher in a related field, or a legal‑assistant or paralegal certificate program up to one (1) year.
Desirable Qualifications
Experience working in a court setting or the legal field.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of:
The legal system and Court procedures, practices and terminology.
Court office processes and procedures including filing, conforming and processing legal documents; records management practices and procedures; organizing and maintaining accurate files and records.
Statutes relating to court legal processes and procedures, including the California Rules of Court; Code of Civil Procedure; Penal Code; Welfare and Institutions Code; Vehicle Code; and other applicable statutes.
Clerical, courtroom, appellate and jury procedures and processes.
Business arithmetic and basic accounting.
Training principles and practices.
Modern office methods and technology, including personal computer and case management systems.
Business communication principles and practices, correct English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Ability to:
Use keyboard and typing skills to prepare timely, error‑free correspondence and documents.
Listen and take notice of important points in Court proceedings.
Work under the pressure of deadlines, conflicting demands and emergencies.
Perform tasks in accordance with established policies, procedures, statutes and standards.
Prepare clear, accurate and effective correspondence, reports, policies, procedures and other written materials.
Enter and retrieve data from case management systems accurately and efficiently.
Organize and prioritize work, meet critical deadlines and coordinate multiple tasks.
Work independently, overseeing and coordinating assigned responsibilities.
Make decisions under pressure in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
Perform detailed, complex and difficult courtroom support work quickly and accurately.
Exercise initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
Use strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of Court staff, elected and appointive bodies, and members of the public.
Use work‑related computer applications such as e‑mail, word processing and/or the internet.
Maintain confidentiality of information when required and exercise discretion and independent judgment.
Maintain accurate records.
Support operational and administrative goals.
Understand and follow oral and written directions and instructions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Other Requirements
Possession of a valid driver’s license may be required depending on the position or the ability to provide alternate transportation that meets job requirements.
Candidates are required to pass a fingerprint clearance by the FBI and DOJ. Convictions may be disqualifying.
All Court employees must take the Oath of Allegiance.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Strength, dexterity, coordination and vision to use keyboard and monitor; hearing to communicate with the public and Court staff; ability to sit for extended periods; walk or otherwise move within the Court facilities; reach with hands and arms; sufficient strength to lift, carry, push or pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds; ability to stoop, kneel, squat and crouch to pick‑up or move objects; speak clearly on the telephone and before groups.
Work is performed in an office environment with little exposure to outside temperatures or dirt and dust. Incumbents are expected to work inside buildings, alongside or closely with others. The working conditions are typically quiet but may be loud at times. The noise level and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy office. Normal business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work outside of these hours may be necessary in certain circumstances.
NOTE:
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job classification, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. They do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
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