Courtroom Deputy Clerk

Overview of the Position The Clerk of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Courtroom Deputy Clerk. The incumbent acts as courtroom deputy and provides courtroom and other assistance to District and Magistrate Judges. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for recording court proceedings and making entries in the electronic docketing system.

This position calls for diplomacy and sensitivity in dealing with judges, attorneys, other government agencies, and the general public.

• Reviews information relating to pending cases to ensure that all materials are available for use by the court and counsel.
• Attends court proceedings and assist with the orderly flow of same by setting up the courtroom, assuring presence of necessary participants, making a verbatim record on recording equipment, maintaining a detailed log of recorded proceedings, swearing in witnesses, managing exhibits, taking notes of proceedings and rulings, and preparing minute entries.
• Communicates with the jury department regarding upcoming jury trials. Assists judge and parties in jury selection and compiles records of jury selection and attendance.
• Responds to a high volume and a variety of inquires; furnishes information with regards to petty offense and misdemeanor matters, either in person or by telephone.
• Acts as liaison among the clerk’s office, the bar, jurors, and the bench to ensure that cases proceed smoothly and efficiently.
• Receives, reviews and routes documents. Scans and converts documents as needed into imaged files.
• Makes summary entries of document and proceedings in the electronic docketing system and other databases; prepare and transmit notices, judgments, and orders.
• Opens and closes cases, assigns cases, and prepares case files.
• Prepares, completes, and transmits dockets related to traffic and petty offense cases.
• Prepares judgments for the judicial officer’s approval.
• Furnishes general information to the public and members of the bar.

• Two years general experience plus one-year specialized experience (progressively responsible clerical experience), with strong customer service orientation.
• High school graduate or equivalent required; two-year degree or equivalent preferred.
• Excellent computer, communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Skill in the use of applicable automated systems and equipment. Ability to communicate effectively and accurately with a variety of people. Good knowledge of language usage, spelling and grammar.
• Skill in prioritizing tasks and work assignments in a high-volume environment. Ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of policies and procedures of the court and the courtroom, including knowledge of the purpose and content of documents and events in order to summarize, make docket entries, and take appropriate action.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to function effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and adhere to strict deadlines; accuracy and attention to detail required.

General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position. Education above high school may be substituted for general experience.

Specialized experience is progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation.

• Due to the volume of applications received, the court will only communicate with those individuals invited for an interview.
• The U.S. District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applications will be reviewed to identify the best qualified candidates.
• In the event a position becomes vacant in either division or in a similar…