Court Administrative Assistant -

POSITION SUMMARY

The work of this position is multi-faceted and involves substantial interaction with the public, the Clerk of Court's Office, law enforcement officials, Magistrate Court, and the Superior Court staff within the Columbia Judicial Circuit. Additionally, the employee holding this position will be responsible for coordination between multiple agencies and offices to ensure that each interacts seamlessly with one another toward the ultimate goal of timely justice being afforded to all interested parties.

The employee will be required to work with case management software known as ICON and will have significant obligations relating to e-mail and telephone contact with litigants, lawyers, service providers, law enforcement agencies, courts and other entities involved with the justice system.

Work is performed in an office environment but also involves courtroom appearances. Physical demands include intermittent sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending, stretching, and lifting of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

The Court Admin Assistant will not generally be expected to travel to accomplish the duties of the position except to occasionally attend proceedings conducted at the Courthouse in Appling, Georgia. Occasionally, the employee may need to travel to meetings within a short radius of the Justice Center to meet with service providers who are involved with the justice system.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• This employee will cross-train with Case Managers to gain proficiency in creating court calendars, participate in court proceedings, and understand the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, enabling them to provide coverage as needed.
• They will support the Court Administrator in the daily operations and overall management of the Superior Court. Responsibilities also include assisting with requisition requests and other financial tasks using the MUNIS system.
• Due to the sensitive nature of financial information, the employee is expected to exercise discretion and maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
• The Assistant is responsible for managing and posting court calendars, forms, and employee information onto the Columbia County Superior Court webpage. This includes creating and publishing daily court calendars, calendars for protective orders and managing a leave of court calendar. In collaboration with Case Managers, the Assistant will also review cases involving incarcerated defendants. The Assistant is expected to notify each Case Manager of their assigned cases and ensure appropriate distribution.
• The Assistant will be responsible for maintaining the digital docket boards.
• This employee will meet personally with every person who files an action to seek a protective order due to family violence and/or stalking. The employee will be required to walk the fine line between providing legal advice and providing non-lawyers an understanding of Georgia law. The employee will be required to have direct contact with all judges of all classes of court within the Columbia Judicial Circuit. Accurate record keeping is an absolute requirement for this position. The employee will track all family violence and/or stalking protective orders from inception to closure.
• The employee must have a complete understanding of the law relating to protective orders, family violence, stalking, and related subjects within the framework of Georgia law. Must serve as a liaison between the assigned judge, litigants, other courtroom personnel, prosecutors, service providers, and the public.
• Must be capable of interacting with multiple agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, the Circuit Public Defender, the District Attorney, the Conflict Defender, Safe Homes of Augusta, Augusta Legal Aid, and other agencies to coordinate services and activities of those agencies with the needs of litigants.
• Must effectively communicate with lawyers and self-represented individuals via e-mail and telephone to schedule hearings and other proceedings in a logical and efficient manner.
• Must arrange for the appearance of interpreters when an interpreter is requested.
• Perform other tasks as directed by the Court Administrator of the Columbia Judicial Circuit.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must have knowledge or ability to learn the ICON case management system.
• Must have knowledge of terms, phrases, and concepts that are uniquely associated with courts and judges.
• Must have knowledge or ability to learn Excel, Word, Outlook, and other standard computer software programs.
• High level of skill in written and verbal communication.
• Ability to deal with public in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to work autonomously with a full understanding of the Judicial Circuit’s goals and plans, also while maintaining the obligations placed upon the court by the U.S. Constitution, Georgia Constitution, statutes of Georgia, and the Uniform Rules of Superior Court.
• Ability to operate office equipment including computer, word processor, copier, fax machine, typewriter, and calculator. Accuracy is essential. Reasonable speed is also necessary.

DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Ability to read, write, and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent. Must have sufficient intelligence and experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having a similar position for one to two years. Possession of or the ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license is a requirement.