Assistant Clerk Magistrate - Dorchester BMC

Title: Assistant Clerk Magistrate - Dorchester BMC

Pay Grade: Asst. Clerk

Starting Pay: $134,389.69

Departmental Mission Statement: Given our unique responsibility to advance the fair administration of justice, the Boston Municipal Court Department is devoted to the rule of law through the conscientious and expeditious resolution of disputes, with a commitment to restoring the human spirit through correction, education, respect and compassion.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/boston-municipal-court

Notes:

• This position is designated as a management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Bilingual (Spanish /Cape Verdean/ Vietnamese/ Haitian Creole) candidates are encouraged to apply.

Position Summary: This position involves responsible legal work and supervisory responsibilities:
• The employees in this position assist the Clerk-Magistrate in performing magisterial and administrative duties as set forth in state statutes and court rules.

• Magisterial responsibilities include determining probable cause for the issuance of criminal complaints and search warrants, in court and out of court bail determinations, determinations of preliminary probation violation hearings, adjudicating small claims motions and trials and presiding over both civil and criminal motor vehicle hearings.

• Assistant clerk-magistrates also may decide certain non-dispositive motions in civil and criminal cases, enter defaults and default judgments and other civil process.

• Administrative responsibilities include the preparation and maintenance of all court papers and records and performance of administrative tasks to ensure that cases move rapidly and smoothly to a determination by the court.

• Work is performed under the direction of the Clerk-Magistrate or First Assistant Clerk-Magistrate.

• Supervision is exercised over support personnel within the Clerk-Magistrate's Office

Duties: This position involves responsible legal work and supervisory responsibilities:
• The employees in this position assist the Clerk-Magistrate in performing magisterial and administrative duties as set forth in state statutes and court rules.

• Magisterial responsibilities include determining probable cause for the issuance of criminal complaints and search warrants, in court and out of court bail determinations, determinations of preliminary probation violation hearings, adjudicating small claims motions and trials and presiding over both civil and criminal motor vehicle hearings.

• Assistant clerk-magistrates also may decide certain non-dispositive motions in civil and criminal cases, enter defaults and default judgments and other civil process.

• Administrative responsibilities include the preparation and maintenance of all court papers and records and performance of administrative tasks to ensure that cases move rapidly and smoothly to a determination by the court.

• Work is performed under the direction of the Clerk-Magistrate or First Assistant Clerk-Magistrate.

• Supervision is exercised over support personnel within the Clerk-Magistrate's Office.

Job Competencies: 

• Thorough knowledge of state statutes, case law and court rules which prescribe the powers and duties of the Clerk-Magistrate and ability to interpret and apply them to the administrative procedures of the office.
• Thorough knowledge of court procedure, legal documents, laws, and legal factors pertaining to the court.
• Thorough knowledge of the organization, functions, jurisdiction and authority of the court.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer software such as MS Office, including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to maintain complex and accurate court records.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of others.

Minimum Requirements: A Bachelor’s Degree; and knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through 6 or more years of relevant work experience in criminal justice, public administration or business administration including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of higher education and relevant experience equal to 10 years total;

OR

A law degree or a graduate degree in a relevant field (for example: criminal justice, public administration or business administration); and knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through 2 or more years of relevant work experience;