Court Clerk - PFA Unit

Job Summary

The Court Clerk – Protection from Abuse Unit is responsible for the timely processing of Protection from Abuse applications and orders in compliance with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania mandated guidelines within the York County Court of Common Pleas. The Court Clerk - PFA Unit position requires a high level of knowledge regarding the Civil Court Case Management System CountySuite, Common Pleas Case Management System and the Protection from Abuse Database to include CountySuite and PFAD case creation, processing, indexing and filing of legal documents, recording case details, docketing, recording outcomes, maintaining accounting records, CPCMS scheduling of emergency, temporary ex-parte, continuance and final hearings, attend and document court proceedings, draft, process and service orders, audit files for accuracy and ensure consistent records are kept at all times. Emphasis will be put on providing excellent customer service to petitioners, defendants, attorneys, court related departments and the general public.

About Us

Located in south-central Pennsylvania, York County Government offers many exciting and challenging opportunities to learn and grow in a career while making a difference in the lives of York County residents. Each County department meets a unique need in the community and provides an opportunity for both professional growth and personal satisfaction. York County offers a competitive wage and benefit package.

Responsibilities

• Accept, image, docket, process and file all Protection from Abuse petitions to include the creation of new PFA cases and recording case details in CountySuite and the Pennsylvania Protection from Abuse Database (PFAD).
• Schedule in Common Pleas Case Management System (CPCMS) emergency, temporary ex-parte, continuances and final Protection from Abuse hearings.
• Familiarity with York County Court of Common Pleas Protection from Abuse procedures, the Civil Court Case Management System CountySuite, the Protection from Abuse Database and the Common Pleas Case Management System.
• Prepare notes, outline of orders and files for emergency, temporary ex-parte, continuances and final PFA hearings.
• Create the Notice of Hearing and the service sheet and deliver them, along with the other documents, to the Sheriff’s Office to be served on the Defendant.
• Send, accept, docket and processes mail to/from York County and Pennsylvania Department of Correction inmates concerning PFA hearings and appeals. Utilize the York County Prison database to locate defendants and notify prison of hearings and schedule transportation.
• Attend and document all Protection from Abuse court hearings to include temporary ex-parte, continuances and final PFA hearings. Receive and document exhibits admitted in court, administers oaths to witnesses, prepare and/or update temporary and final proposed orders at the direction of the presiding Judge.
• Function as procedural and operational liaison, in the courtroom, between Judges, attorneys and case participants.
• Record outcomes of all PFA hearings by creating orders, submit orders for Judge to sign, and review orders for completeness and accuracy.
• Serve final Protection from Abuse orders.
• Utilize PFAD to transmit all PFA orders to Pennsylvania State Police.
• Create petitions, attend hearing, form and serve orders for Cost Contempt Court.
• Create and docket bench warrants. Notify York 911 Department of bench warrants.
• Maintain detailed and accurate accounting records when collecting fees and fines related to Protection from Abuse costs, bail and bench warrants.
• Knowledge of courtroom procedures and terminology specific to Protection from Abuse cases, hearings and orders.
• Audit files and orders for accuracy and ensure consistent records are kept at all times.
• Correspond with various Court Offices and County Agencies to include Sheriff’s Office, Judges, judicial assistants, law clerks, District Attorney’s Office, York County Children, Youth and Families, York 911 Department, PFA Advocates, Pennsylvania State Police and local police departments.
• Possess the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Provide prompt, courteous and professional customer service by phone or at the PFA filing counter to the petitioner, defendant, attorney, court related departments and the general public.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Essential Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Familiarity with the operation, daily maintenance, and troubleshooting of office equipment such as: personal computers, laser printers, scanner, copy and fax machines and multi-line telephones.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe and Outlook.
• Whether in person or by telephone, required to interact with the public, other departments, court offices, and co-workers in a congenial, efficient and responsible manner.
• Must possess good time management skills.
• Must have the ability to think through, reason, and utilize common sense in working with diverse individuals and have the ability to exercise mature judgment.
• Ability to understand, apply and follow PA Rules of Civil Court Procedure, York County Local Rules, the York County Policy Manual and Prothonotary Office Policy.

Contact Details

If you have any questions, please contact the county's Department of Human Resources at ychr@yorkcountypa.gov.