The Ninth Judicial District is accepting applications for one full-time Court Operations Associate position in Aitkin County Court Administration (the permanent work location will be: Aitkin County Court Administration, 209 Second Street NW, Aitkin, MN). This position works within the Aitkin/Crow Wing County Administrative Unit. The Ninth Judicial District is a part of the Minnesota Judicial Branch and covers the 17 counties of Northwest Minnesota. This position provides an opportunity to work within the Minnesota State Court System and serve the public. Competitive pay and a full, comprehensive benefit package are offered through the State of Minnesota.

This is a diverse, inclusive, and professional environment that promotes equity for all court staff and court users. Court Operations Associates work individually and in teams using independent judgment along with available resources to perform a variety of administrative assignments. This role requires dedication to providing excellent customer service, strong attention to detail, and technological skills to match our high-performance environment. Court Operations Associates interact with a wide variety of court users and stakeholders including community members, judges, law enforcement officials, and attorneys.

This position is classified as a Court Operations Associate within the Minnesota Judicial Branch job classification system and performs advanced court clerical work in District Court. Work may involve responsibility for a specific area of court case processing or for performing a variety of advanced clerical functions across multiple case types, which require the application of independent judgment and the interpretation of policies and procedures based on training and knowledge gained through experience. This position involves daily contact with judges, attorneys, judicial staff, partner agencies, and the public at the counter, in the court room, and on the telephone. Advice and assistance will normally be provided as needed by a Court Operations Supervisor or Court Administrator, but most functions will be performed with minimal supervision.

Salary is negotiable and may be granted up to mid-point of the pay range, based on qualifications and court-related experience.

Example of Duties

What You Will Do

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  Performs the full scope of varied court clerical work involved with Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS) case processing.
• Initiates court cases in MNCIS.
• Determines processing required and takes necessary action in accordance with court rules and procedures.
• Reviews legal documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with rules.
• Classifies and verifies appropriate document security levels of submitted filings.
• Assures confidentiality in compliance with statutes and court rules.
• Determines proper routing of complaints, petitions, and other filings.
• Sends notices to parties and attorneys.
• Provides information regarding case outcomes, court procedures, forms and documents, and court dates over the phone, via email, in the courtroom, and at the front counter.
• Prepares and scans documents for electronic imaging.
• Schedules/reschedules court cases and contacts parties involved.
• Monitors cases and ensures that orders, notifications, and summons are issued.
• Issues subpoenas and similar processes.
• Schedules and attends court hearings.
• Receives payments and processes financial transactions into MNCIS.
• Performs financial activities within the office.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of education, training, and work experience which indicates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below will be considered.

What You Must Have

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One (1) year of relevant job experience or greater, which may include but is not limited to customer service, administrative work, office, and clerical work.
• Additional education may substitute for experience.

Nice to Have

• Certificate or degree in a related field.
• Considerable knowledge of court procedures, policies, and records management.
• Experience working with the court's electronic case processing system.

What You Will Bring

• Ability to learn rules of court, state statutes, case processing, policies, and procedures of the area of court assigned.
• Knowledge of basic math.
• Skill in navigating difficult situations and resolving conflict in a respectful and courteous manner.
• Ability to effectively support court users who have limited experience with the judicial system.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service while working under pressure in a high volume, fast-paced environment.
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer, including electronic case management system and related applications and equipment.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and in compliance with all applicable court rules, policies, and statutes.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Well organized, detail oriented, and analytical.

What You Will Get
The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in you as an employee. Because of that, we offer affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family’s wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees includes health and wellness benefits, enhanced fertility benefits, short-term and long-term disability, pension, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Click here to learn more about the benefits we offer.

Minnesota Judicial Branch employees may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This federal program allows qualified individuals to have their loans forgiven after meeting certain requirements working in public service. You can learn more about this program from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the office of Federal Student Aid.

Salary is negotiable and may be granted up to mid-point of the pay range, based on qualifications and court-related experience. A full State of Minnesota benefit package is included.

To apply, complete and submit your application at www.mncourts.gov/careers.

Supplemental Information

This AFSCME-represented position is posted for bidding, internal, and external application simultaneously. The filling of AFSCME represented positions is governed by the AFSCME Labor Agreement.

Court employees applying for this position must have successfully passed their original 6 month probationary period and served 6 months in their current position prior to applying for this position. Current judicial branch employees must be in good standing to apply for this position.

Current State Employees (non-Judicial Branch): Please note that employment provisions (including but not limited to seniority and leave accrual) vary between the three branches of government. If you are considering a transfer to another branch of state government, you are highly encouraged to explore these differences. We recommend that you contact HR for the department where you currently work as well as the HR department for the posted position.

Teleworking is not an option with this position at this time unless determined to be necessary by the Court Administrator. This position will remain open until filled.

Why Work for Us?
Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and value diversity in professional background and cultural characteristics. We are intentional and mindful about the organizational culture we are building, seeking broad-minded individuals with robust capabilities who value supporting one another’s growth.

It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting Human Resources at the contact information below.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

If you have questions about this position, please contact Human Resources at deborah.williams@courts.state.mn.us or 218-759-4370.