District Court Coordinator

Cooke County is seeking a detail-oriented individual to join our team as the District Court Coordinator. The Court coordinator for the District Court is appointed by and directly responsible to the Judge of the Court. This person has authority to execute duties delegated by the Judge of the Court, for the Court, to ensure the Court's policies and procedures are followed. These duties include, but are not limited to, docket management, court staff coordination, and monitoring and managing Court activities, which assist the Judge in non-judicial and administrative matters.

Duties of the position include:

Docket Maintenance

• Monitor all cases assigned to the district court.
• Ensure that all settable cases, motions, etc. are set for a date and purpose certain.
• Ensure that all cases on the court's docket are listed on docket properly.
• Prepare and disseminate court dockets.
• Ensure that all cases transferred are processed in accordance with the local court rules.
• Ensure that all attorneys and parties are properly notified of settings.
• Ensure that daily court dockets properly and accurately reflect the business scheduled before the court.
• Prepare and maintain the calendar for jury trials.
• Locate problem areas, if any, and advise the court as to the problems and make any suggestions to their remedy

Attorney/Public/Court Liaison

Pursuant to the direction of the court, the coordinator shall:

• Answer phone calls, screening communication for the court.
• Serve as liaison between the attorneys, public and court in matters before the court.
• Assist all parties to negotiate cases to ensure speedy flow of the docket.
• Advise the court of attorneys and parties who are going to be late or have a conflict.
• Serve as a liaison between the 235th District Court and the Regional Administrative Judge's Office concerning visiting judges.
• Advise the court and so schedule any information that might change the status of a case.

The Automated Systems– Efiling for Texas and Videoconferencing

• To ensure an accurate in-court history of the scheduled matter (Setting result).
• To update the case management software with future settings for the purpose of inquiries and future dockets.
• To assist court appointed attorneys, when necessary, with attorney vouchers in accordance with court policies and procedures
• To set up attorney access to video conferencing system and assist court in scheduling any necessary hearings via videoconference
• Locate problem areas, if any, and advise the Court as to the problems and make any suggestions as to their remedy.
• Analyze and evaluate all systems referenced above and their resources as they relate to case flow and docket management.
• Maintain E-file queues (electronic case management system) daily which include reviewing documents, communicating with the District Clerk's Office and District Judge's Office to maintain document flow to and from the coordinator's office.

Liaison Duties

• Be sure all staff members and associated parties of the court are apprised of any court policy changes.
• Oversee timesheets for District Court personnel.
• Be sure any new or substitute staff members or associated parties are apprised of all the policies and preferences of the court.
• Act as a buffer between the court and individuals such as witnesses, etc., as much as possible, to free the court for judicial matters.
• Work with all agencies in the judicial environment as they relate to the efficient operation of the respective court.
• Handle telephone inquiries as to future settings, dispositions and other information as required.
• Obtain and coordinate language interpreters and other specialists that facilitate courtroom operations.

General Court Management

• Handle correspondence in accordance with the policies of the court.
• Prepare budgets and budget amendments for the District Court and track budget activity.
• Keep abreast of any new legislation that pertains to the court and to docket management.
• Gathers required data for Indigent Defense Plan and ensure plans are in compliance with the law.
• Free the Judge as much as possible from the day-to-day, non-judicial operations of the court.
• Always remain available to the Judge to give assistance when deemed necessary.
• Handling jurors' excuses, resets and inquiries in accordance with the policies of the court.
• Monitor appeal cases to ensure that statutory time limits are met and monitor mandates.
• Monitor the production of the transcript production in the respective court.
• Regular and punctual attendance is required
• Business attire is required.

Systems Utilized

• Efiling for Texas
• Zoom
• Netdata

Required qualifications and skills include:

Personal Skills

• The coordinator must possess knowledge of the organization and operations of the District Court and how cases move through the court. The coordinator must possess an understanding of techniques of docket management, case control, and day-to-day monitoring of matters pending before the court
• The coordinator must have knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment and be able to use computers for data entry and word processing.
• The coordinator must have the ability to pay attention to detail in performing tasks and have the ability to think independently.
• The person chosen for this position must possess skills in working with a myriad of people, agents, etc. A Coordinator must be able to work without a great deal of supervision from the court.
• Regular and punctual attendance is required.
• Business attire is required.

Formal Training

• Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; or
• Experience working directly with the Courts (i.e., clerk, law clerk, briefing clerk); or
• Graduate of para-legal school with two years para-legal experience in a field related to the position in question; or
• Minimum three years as a clerk in a court of general jurisdiction.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience in court-related field; or
• Graduate of para-legal school.

Continuing Education

Court Coordinators should be trained to the fullest of their abilities and commensurate with the demands of the Judges. Coordinators should attend a minimum of sixteen (16) hours of continuing education as required (Gov't Code 74.106)

Must be able to pass a criminal history background check, drug screen, and physical.

Along with the completed application, a resume, references and letters of recommendation must be submitted. Please apply online at https://cocooketx.applicantpro.com/jobs/

Cooke County is an Equal Opportunity Employer