Court Clerk - Magistrate II

Watertown, SD | Unified Judicial System | Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly

31.19 - 31.19 US per hour

Posted 2 days ago | Apply before October 23, 2026

Job
Agency:
Unified Judicial System, Third Judicial Circuit

Location:

Watertown, SD
Salary:$31.19 per hour
Closing date:
October 23, 2026

The Unified Judicial System (UJS) is dedicated to providing a fair, impartial, and accessible court system that upholds the rule of law and is worthy of the public’s trust and confidence. Our vision is justice for all.

Our employees are our most valuable resource and crucial to accomplishing our mission. We seek talented and motivated individuals to be the face of the court system and help ensure that the Court and all the people that come before it receives the highest level of service. Our dedicated staff work to enhance community safety and ensure victims’ rights while treating all individuals with dignity and respect.

The UJS offers a comprehensive benefits package consisting of 11-13 paid holidays every year, extensive sick and vacation leave, paid family leave, military training leave, health and flexible benefits, regular working hours, continuing education opportunities, retirement benefits, a great working environment, and more.

Position

Purpose:

This position manages office operations associated with circuit and magistrate court cases filed with the court by planning, organizing, and directing procedures; and supervising personnel assigned to the court clerk magistrate's office to ensure compliance with rules and regulations set by the Unified Judicial System (UJS) and South Dakota statutes. Duties may include:

• Supervising staff, ensuring completion of workloads, organizing staff meetings, and communicating via telephone, video conferencing, and email.
• Managing processing of case types, e.g., criminal, juvenile, traffic ticket, civil, child support, divorce, probate, protection order, guardianship, trust, adoption, mental illness, involuntary commitment, small claim, pardon, expungement, pro se, etc., according to procedural guidelines and rules, and ensuring files are correct and complete.
• Performing administrative tasks to ensure the work of the unit and the court is accomplished according to applicable procedural guidelines and protocols.
• Managing receipt and disbursement of money collected by the court, e.g., bonds, alimony, child support, prepaid attorneys’ fees, scram, drug testing, fines, costs, restitutions, filing fees, etc., according to established accounting and collections procedures and protocols.
• Providing customer service by answering questions from and maintaining working relationships with a wide variety of sources, including public, county officials and personnel, collection agencies, law enforcement, abstract offices, attorneys, media, lending institutions, defendants and their families, judges, and other staff to assist them with court functions and to facilitate positive public relations.
• Performing clerk magistrate duties as assigned to assist the circuit court in disposing of civil actions and to provide direct court contact for average citizens.
• Implementing jury management procedures by preparing a master jury list, grand jury list, and petit trial lists to ensure an adequate number of jurors are available for scheduled and pending hearings.
• Performing other work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or possession of a GED certificate. Three years of applicable experience; supervisory experience preferred but not required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Certification in a Court Management Program (CMP) or Court Executive Development Program (CEDP) through the National Center for State Courts is preferred.

Upon hire, the successful…