Salary: $22.31 - $25.13 Hourly
Location : Bozeman, MT
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 00736
Department: Justice Court
Opening Date: 05/19/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
POSITION OVERVIEW This position is located in the Justice Court and is responsible for performing a variety of clerical and technical duties within the justice court system. This work involves processing appropriate court forms, attending court sessions, and documenting various courtroom activities on standardized forms. Justice Court handles criminal matters, citations filed by the Sheriff's Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Fish and Game, Montana Department of Transportation, Department of Livestock, Airport Authority, civil matters, small claims, weddings, and other legal matters. The position reports to the Clerk of Justice Court and does not directly supervise other staff.
Each duty listed below makes up at least 20% of the job, and all other functions are included in Other Duties as Assigned. All duties below are essential functions unless otherwise indicated. COURT OPERATIONS SUPPORT - Services the front window to direct members of the public arriving for weddings, trials, etc., to provide necessary forms for various court activities, and to respond to general questions.
- Responds to various inquiries from Department personnel, court representatives, attorneys, and members of the public. Inquiries are related to court procedures, case status, available filing options, etc. Maintains confidentiality according to established guidelines and coordinates with involved or affected parties to resolve problematic issues.
- Receives and/or locates standardized forms to file various court and legal filings, including proposed orders, motions to the court, and other documents. Collects and records fees, if required. This involves identifying appropriate forms based on type of case or action and completing relevant sections with basic information.
- Processes mail to ensure timely delivery of correspondence and materials to appropriate staff, including express shipments, registered mailings, electronic messaging, and other specialized delivery services.
- Processes or distributes filings and documents according to upcoming trial dates, legally mandated response times, individual judicial preferences, established office procedures and policies, and other factors.
- Handle confidential information that has been sealed.
- Maintains electronic and manual records management and docketing systems with new and updated case and file information.
- Reviews background by reviewing past payments, checking payments received logs, appearances, posting of bond, etc. and issues a warning letter or a warrant or default judgment based on applicable guidelines.
- Receipts and disburses fines, fees for filing, restitution, refund of bond, and daily balances.
TRIAL ACTIVITIES COORDINATION - When assigned to court, opens court by locating and preparing all required documents and files for the judge.
- Clerks open court, jury trials, change-of-pleas, and omnibus hearings on a rotating basis. This includes preparing paperwork for the judge's signature, recording minutes on standardized forms, and retrieving and preparing other forms as needed. This work is extremely fast paced, and the ability to multi-task is necessary.
- Coordinates trial juries by contacting potential jurors, issuing notice of appearance, attending voir dire, tracking jurors, administering official oaths, and acting as bailiff in the courtroom.
- Receives, records, and maintains accessibility to all entered exhibits, their status, number, and location by entering data in computer program.
- Completes standardized form for minutes to document all trial events, motions, witnesses, appearances, etc.
OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor. This includes participating in special projects, occasionally filling in for other employees, participating in ongoing training, and a variety of other functions as needed. If the County Commission proclaims a local emergency due to an actual or threatened disaster such as an earthquake, fire, riot, flood, etc., County employees may be required to provide services during the emergency and for a subsequent period of assessment and recovery.
Excellent Medical Health Benefits - Group health benefits, including dental and vision coverage, are available to eligible County employees. The medical health benefits premium is covered for full-time employees. The County contribution is pro-rated on hours paid for part-time employees. The employee pays the premium portion for dependent coverage. Family health benefits coverage is $205.00 per pay period.
Medical deductible is $400 for an individual and $1,000 for a family.
Flexible Benefits Plan - Pre-tax out-of-pocket medical expenses and day care expenses.
Supplemental Medical Coverage and voluntary
Life Insurance Coverage are offered through Mutual of Omaha
Public Employees Retirement System - Montana public employees of the state, university system, local governments and certain employees of school districts are covered by the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New members to the PERS have an opportunity to choose between two retirement plan options: the Defined Benefit Plan or the Defined Contribution Plan.
Sheriffs' Retirement System (SRS) - A public pension plan for all Montana Sheriffs hired after July 1, 1974 and Detention Officers hired after July 1, 2005.
Supplemental Retirement Benefits are offered through Nationwide and Empower.
Sick Leave - Full-time employees accrue 7.40 hours per month and are eligible to use sick leave once it is accrued. The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.
Vacation Leave - Full-time employees accrue 9.20 hours per month and are eligible to use leave once it is accrued. The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.
Holidays - The County observes eleven legal holidays in even numbered years and ten legal holidays in odd numbered years.
Paid Parental Leave (PPL)- In recognition of the importance of bonding and care of a newborn child or a child placed for adoption, Gallatin County provides 240 hours of PPL to eligible full-time employees. The hours are pro-rated for part-time employees.
Tuition Assistance- Because we value the professional and personal development of our employees, Gallatin County is proud to offer reimbursement of certain education expenses.
Bilingual Pay - Gallatin County allows for bilingual pay to employees that provide translation services to County departments and offices. The bilingual pay allows for extra compensation to employees that provide this service.