Circuit Court Chief Clerk I - Lincoln County - Kemmerer

The Lincoln County Circuit Court seeks to hire a Chief Clerk to administer the operation and procedures of a Circuit Court. At a supervisory level, this position prepares and processes court documents, performs judicial procedures, and works with the court case management system as well as assists with the accounting and financial records of the court. Work is performed under the general supervision of the judge.

Information about the Court and Community

The Lincoln County Circuit Court presides over misdemeanor, small claims, civil forcible entry and detainer cases. It also issues protection orders. The Court is in a cozy town in western Wyoming known as the birthplace of the JC Penny department store. While traveling in Lincoln County, you can expect to find a few ghost towns and Fossil Butte National Monument.

Information about the Benefits Package

In addition to an annual salary, employees of the Wyoming Judicial Branch receive a generous benefits package to include the State of Wyoming retirement pension plan and 457 Deferred Comp plan; affordable health insurance package including health, dental, life, vision, disability insurance, ambulance coverage, and Employee Assistance Program; paid annual, sick and holiday leave, and much more.

Human Resources Contact: Chelsea Riden, hr@courts.state.wy.us, 307-777-8648

This position supervises Circuit Court Clerks and is responsible for implementing rules and procedures set forth by the Circuit Court Judges and Supreme Court and in accordance with State statute. Essential functions of this position include the following:

• Responsible for operational and administrative direction and supervision of the court. Oversee and maintain the court records and the flow of work processed through court in a timely and effective manner.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned employees; make hiring decisions and ensure new employees receive proper training; prepare performance evaluations; make recommendations to the judge for performance related employment actions.
• Analyze court dockets and operations to develop processes that will improve case management and court services. Establish rules, procedures and/or standards which best achieve a productive workforce.
• Manage the court schedule to ensure proper staffing coverage. Review and approve leave requests and weekly timesheets.
• Manage the court’s jury operations including the efficient use of state and citizen’s time and resources.
• Supervise and maintain records for auditing, docketing, statistical and historical retrieval.
• Resolve problems and questions regarding work methods and processes presented by employees.
• Provide training to clerks on Circuit Court operations. Review the work of other clerks to assist with training and ensure procedures are being followed.
• Prepare and administer the court budget for the state and county.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with budget allocations. Approve invoices and submit for payment.
• Prepare fiscal reports including statistics, calendars, disposition charts, and data related to the cases before the court.
• Manage court bank accounts in accordance with established guidelines.
• Supervise other related accounting and financial activities conforming with internal auditors’ requirements.
• Attend regular Chief Clerk meetings. Stay up to date on court policies and procedures. Communicate changes to staff and ensure compliance with new or revised policies and procedures.
• Authorize access to court records.
• Perform quality control audits to ensure accuracy of court records.
• Complete and maintain an accurate filing system.
• Maintain, liaison and coordinate court operations with representatives of allied government agencies.
• Calmly resolve disputes with angry and irrational customers, both in person and on the phone.
• Manage court fixed assets and ensure inventory procedures are followed.
• Report any areas of concern to the judges.
• Manage a caseload, cash drawer, and perform all duties as expected of a clerk, senior clerk, and deputy clerk.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Circuit Court Judges.

Physical Demands:
This position requires mobility to work in a typical office setting. The applicant must have the ability to:

• Use standard office equipment.
• Stand and/or walk for a period of time.
• Read printed materials and computer screens.
• Communicate in person or over the phone.
• Attend work on a regular basis, including arriving at work on time.
• Lift up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional work in the evenings and weekends may be required.
• Occasional out of county travel. Weekly travel between court locations.

Minimum Qualifications:
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent with at least five (5) years’ work experience as a court clerk, legal assistant, or paralegal plus one (1) or more year of supervisory experience.

This position requires an ability to:

• Supervise and delegate the work of others; apply general management principles to specific organizational and operational problems; communicate effectively (verbally and in writing); establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, representatives of various agencies and members of the public.
• Professionally and courteously deal with people, including coworkers, other judges, and the public beyond giving and receiving instructions, including being adaptable to performing under varied levels of stress.
• Consistently demonstrate analytical ability, administrative skills, ingenuity, and independent judgment.
• Train others on policies, procedures, accounting principles and use/maintenance of equipment.
• Attend work on a regular basis, including arriving at work on time.
• Travel on occasion to include overnight stays.

This position requires skills in:

• Assessing, evaluating, prioritizing, and handling multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Working within deadlines to complete projects and assignments.
• Establishing and maintaining effective work relations with coworkers and others having any interactions with the District Court.
• Explaining court procedures and processes in a clear, concise, and comprehensive manner.
• Operating a computer utilizing a variety of commonly used and specialized software applications.
• Operating usual office and courtroom equipment and technology.
• Preparing clear and comprehensive written and electronic court documents, correspondence, forms, and reports.

This position involves knowledge of:

• Circuit Court policies, processes, and procedures.
• Legal requirements for court operations and case processing.
• General office procedures; proper grammar, spelling and punctuation. Proficient skill in typing, word processing, proofreading and general filing.
• Budgeting and purchasing procedures.
• Applicable State and Federal rules, codes, and regulations.
• State and County policies and procedures.
• Legal terminology.
• Principles and protocols for managing official documents and records.
• Principles of file and records management.
• Principles of book-keeping and/or accounting, including invoicing and accounting systems, rules, and standards.

Terms:

• Employment is “at will.”
• FLSA: Exempt.