Job Description

The Superior Court of Calaveras County is the judicial branch serving Calaveras County, California. Established in 1850, it handles a wide range of cases, including

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ivil, criminal, family law, probate, and juvenile matters. The court has evolved over time, expanding its facilities and judicial resources to meet the needs of the community. It operates under the jurisdiction of the California Court of Appeal for the Third District and is led by a Presiding Judge and a Court Executive Officer. The court plays a vital role in administering justice, protecting rights, resolving disputes, and maintaining legal order within the county.

Located in rural San Andreas, CA, the Superior Court of Calaveras County is surrounded by picturesque rolling hills and majestic oak trees. The courthouse features state-of-the-art facilities designed to support efficient court operations and provide a welcoming environment for staff and visitors. Additionally, free parking is available for the convenience of all employees.

POSITION DEFINITION

The Court Clerk I-II classification series encompasses a progressively responsible range of clerical and administrative duties performed in support of courtroom operations, judicial proceedings, legal processing, and public service functions within the Superior Court. Under varying levels of supervision, incumbents in this series perform critical functions such as processing legal filings, maintaining case records, providing courtroom support to judicial officers, preparing calendars, and interacting with justice partners and the public regarding procedural information and case updates.

Court Clerk I

the entry-level position in the series. Incumbents receive training in basic court clerical procedures and rotate through assignments to gain foundational knowledge of court operations.

Court Clerk II

the journey-level position. Incumbents apply well-developed clerical and legal processing knowledge, independently perform a wide range of responsibilities, and provide courtroom and calendar support.
This series is designed to support operational efficiency, enhance public service delivery, and uphold the integrity of court processes in compliance with judicial standards, applicable codes, and the local rules of court.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This series includes the entry and journey levels of the Court Clerk classification. The Court Clerk series describes a broad range of support functions that may emphasize courtroom and judicial support, legal processing, jury services, and general clerical services.

Court Clerk I

performs routine clerical and case processing work under close supervision, with duties that are well defined and structured for training and development.

Court Clerk II

performs the full range of clerical, case processing, and courtroom support work under general supervision, requiring greater judgment, knowledge of legal terminology, and independence.
Assignments may include traffic, jury, appeals, civil, family law, probate, small claims, juvenile, criminal, and specialized programs such as CARE Court. Program-related services (e.g., screening, intake, scheduling, referrals) may be assigned on a supplemental basis but do not represent the primary focus of this series.
This classification is distinguished from the Senior Court Clerk (Court Clerk III), which is responsible for leading staff and performing the most complex and specialized duties. It is also distinguished from the Legal Process Clerk (legal processing only), the Courtroom Clerk (exclusive courtroom duties), and the Office Assistant (general clerical work not requiring court-specific knowledge).

TYPICAL DUTIES

The Court reserves the right to assign or reassign duties as needed, based on the needs of the Court. The essential duties listed below are representative and may not include all possible tasks. This position requires an adaptive mindset, decision-making abilities, and work collaboratively with court team members.

Court Clerk I - Entry Level

Learn and apply established court policies, procedures, and case management practices. Receive, review, and process legal documents for completeness and compliance; return or correct errors. File and maintain documents, exhibits, and case records. Provide basic customer service to the public, attorneys, and justice partners regarding filing fees, case status, and procedural information. Receive and record payments, issue receipts, and maintain balanced cash drawers. Perform routine clerical duties such as copying, mail processing, and data entry. Assist with jury services or courtroom support in a training capacity, without assuming full responsibility for official minutes, oaths, or judicial orders.

Court Clerk II - Journey Level

In addition to Court Clerk I duties, incumbents may:

Provide courtroom support, including taking minutes, handling exhibits, recording judicial instructions, and processing court orders. Prepare and manage hearing calendars; coordinate with judicial officers, attorneys, and staff. Process judicial orders including warrants, writs, subpoenas, judgments, dismissals, bail exonerations, and record sealing. Impanel jurors, administer oaths, record challenges, and track service and compensation. Assist in administering specialized programs (e.g., appointed counsel, Grand Jury, CARE Court) as assigned. Provide feedback on workflow improvements and cross-train in multiple court functions.

JUDGMENT AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Court Clerk I

performs structured tasks under close supervision, with responsibility for following established court procedures. Errors are generally limited to individual case files and are corrected through supervisory review.

Court Clerk II

applies sound judgment in more complex clerical, courtroom, or customer service assignments. They may resolve routine problems independently but refer to sensitive or unusual matters to supervisors. Errors at this level may impact case outcomes or court efficiency and require discretion and accuracy.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Court Clerk I - Entry Level

High school diploma or GED equivalent;

AND

One (1) year of general clerical or administrative experience, preferably in a legal, law enforcement, or public sector environment.

Court Clerk II - Journey Level

One (1) year of experience as a Court Clerk I or a similar classification in a court or legal setting;

OR

Two (2) years of increasingly responsible clerical experience in a court, legal, or closely related public agency environment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in a California Superior Court or other public-sector agency governed by the California Rules of Court. Familiarity with trial court case management systems, calendaring procedures, or courtroom operations.
THER REQUIREMENTS

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check consistent with the Fair Chance Act. Reference checks will be conducted to verify employment history and suitability. Employees may be required to travel between court locations or attend off-site training and must maintain a valid California driver's license and appropriate insurance if driving for court business. Employees using personal vehicles for court-related business will be reimbursed in accordance with California Labor Code 2802. Convictions are reviewed under the Fair Chance Act using an individualized assessment process. U.S. work eligibility documents must be presented at time of hire, consistent with federal law.
The Superior Court of Calaveras County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We encourage all qualified individuals to apply and strive to create an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at 209-754-5961.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.93 - $27.30 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance
Work Location: In person