Legal Clerk I - Court Listings Unit - City of Philadelphia

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As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (“FJD”) is the Philadelphia County Court System and is composed of two courts:  the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court. The mission of the FJD is to adjudicate cases and provide services to the community within our jurisdiction while ensuring fair, timely, and accessible justice to the people of Philadelphia. The FJD is part of the Unified Judicial System reporting into the Pennsylvania Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

This is entry level clerical legal work in the Court Listings Unit of the Traffic Division.  It differs from the non-legal clerical classes by the constant work with legal documents and the degree of consequence of error and accountability involving the abstraction of pertinent information from legal documents in summary form to a docket which may serve as a basis for possible legal activity by counsel and the judiciary.  Work is performed according to clearly defined rules and procedures, under direct supervision, in a training mode.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Examines legal instruments to determine information for posting to dockets.
• Abstracts, summarizes and records filing dates, types of legal instruments, and in some cases, substance of legal documents into dockets.
• Returns incorrect documents for appropriate action if necessary.
• Processes documents in accordance with standard procedures.
• Examines legal instruments to determine applicability of posting into indexes of judgments and liens.
• Enters payment installment orders into eTIMS.
• Disposition’s citations into internal processing system.
• Processes continuances of trial dates.
• Checks court documents for errors and serves as a quality control check.
• Performs terminal or PC data entry on legal filing turn around documents from handwritten or coded material.
• Maintains a court record filing system with adequate controls, standards, and access restrictions.
• Processes outgoing records to microfilm.
• Resolves and responds to inquiries concerning court documents or actions, especially scheduling.
• Prepares legal documents for dissemination or appropriate legal action by signature.
• Distributes documents to correct destinations and may hand deliver legal documents or records.
• Instructs others on proper procedural steps.
• Extracts pertinent information onto work sheets for indexing purposes into a variety of registers.
• Searches dockets and indexes in order to serve the public with information.
• Accepts filings from staff, judges, attorneys, and other interested parties and exemplifies and certifies essential documents for legal or personal transactions.
• Processes incoming official and essential legal documents for inclusion into a system of court records according to procedural rules.
• Enters trial date into internal processing system.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Answers the telephone or may meet or greet callers.

Provides general information pertaining to assigned function.

Replenishes computer printer, copier, or fax machine paper supplies.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Standard office/courtroom conditions.

Direct contact with diverse court clientele.                        

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of eTIMS operating system.
• Extensive knowledge of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.
• Ability to work with the public.  
• Knowledge of office procedures, methods, and equipment with particular reference to receiving and accounting for cash.
• Business arithmetic.
• General knowledge of court system purpose and record keeping processes. 
• Ability to write legibly. 
• Ability to provide information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to recognize different types of civil documents and legal instruments necessary to effectively perform the docketing function. 
• Ability to learn to extract and summarize information from legal instruments in order to fulfill the requirements for docketing and indexing legal information. 
• Ability to learn and comply with applicable rules, regulations, and procedures as they apply to posting information into dockets and indexes pertinent to the assigned function. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the general public.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

1. High school diploma or equivalent and one to two years of progressively responsible clerical experience processing legal instruments and documents.

OR

1. Any equivalent combination of training and experience determined to be acceptable by the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, which also includes a high school diploma or equivalent.
2. After meeting minimum standards, successful completion of a panel review and interview process.
3. Must successfully complete a criminal and financial background investigation.
4. Ability to perform the essential functions of a position in this class.
5. Covid-19 Vaccination is recommended.
6. Must work on site (not remote).                                                          

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

Salary Range: $38,125 - $41,440 (W08)

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The First Judicial District of PA offers 4 weeks of paid parental leave.
• The First Judicial District of PA does not have a residency requirement.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx