Salary : $5,037.07 - $5,891.60 Monthly
Location : Orange County Superior Court, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 0753CC-0525
Department: Court Operations
Opening Date: 05/01/2025
Closing Date: 5/15/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Position Information
SUPERIOR COURT CLERK I
DEADLINE TO APPLY

Deadline to apply for this recruitment is Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PST.
This recruitment is open to external candidates, internal OCSC employees and internal OCSC promotions. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies, and an eligible list may be established to fill future vacancies.
ANNUAL SALARY

$60,444.80 - $70,699.20
BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS:

Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (2.50% at 67 formula)

Choice of five medical plans

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

Vacation and sick leave packages

14 paid holidays per year

Educational & professional reimbursement

Optional deferred compensation program (457 plan)
TELEWORK/ON-SITE OPPORTUNITY

This position is not eligible for telework opportunities.
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

The Orange County Superior Court is the third largest court of general jurisdiction in California. We have courthouses throughout the county, including locations in Orange, Westminster, Fullerton, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana. We have a staff of about 1,500 and an operating budget of nearly $280 million. The Court's Judges, Commissioners and employees are recognized for their high standards of achievement, integrity, and diversity. The Court is committed to ensuring equal access to court services and enhancing public confidence in the court system.
To learn more about the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, visit our homepage at
Opportunity Details
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The Superior Court Clerk I learns and performs a variety of duties to assist Judicial Officers by examining and approving legal documents for filing in various divisions of the Court. The incumbents maintain the flow of courtroom activities, prepares official court records of proceedings, swears in juries and witnesses, and maintains court exhibits.

Incumbents are required to exercise excellent judgment and perform their duties with the highest degree of integrity in order to uphold the public's trust and confidence in the administration of justice. Incumbents may act as a relief clerk and be rotated to different assignments and locations for purposes of staff development and the needs of the Court. Incumbents support courtrooms which have a variety of caseload volumes to support the needs of the court. Incumbents also observe, participate in and perform the work under immediate supervision of a Courtroom Operations Supervisor.

Superior Court Clerk I is the entry level trainee classification used for training purposes. Incumbents must demonstrate satisfactory performance and advance to Superior Court Clerk II (journey level) classification by the end of the twelve (12) month probationary period. There is no permanent status as a Trainee. Incumbents participate in virtual and on-the-job training programs designed to prepare incumbents for advancement to the position of Superior Court Clerk II. Upon promotion, incumbents serve a six (6) month promotional probationary period in the Superior Court Clerk classification.

Superior Court Clerks must be flexible in assignments as they may work in various locations such as Central Justice Center (Santa Ana), Community Court (Santa Ana), Costa Mesa Justice Complex (Costa Mesa), Harbor Justice Center (Newport Beach), Lamoreaux Justice Center (Orange), North Justice Center (Fullerton) and West Justice Center (Westminster). They may also work in divisions such as Criminal, Traffic, Civil, Probate/Mental Health, Juvenile and Family Law or to a specific Judicial Officer for an extended period of time. Location and case-type preferences are considered but not guaranteed.

The Superior Court Clerks must be able to efficiently perform their duties within a demanding, fast paced, and emotionally charged environment. Incumbents are expected to multi-task while capturing critical information to ensure timely and accurate court records and/or orders.
Duties for the classification may include, but are not limited to:

• Examines legal documents for correctness, sufficiency of information and conformance with legal filing procedures; determines and receives filing fees; reviews legal correspondence and determines appropriate processing; prepares reports concerning legal filing activity.
• Handles the logistical functioning and flow of courtroom activities; answers procedural questions orally and in writing; notifies bailiff or courtroom staff of any actions that may adversely affect courtroom security; maintains orderly appearance of courtroom and assigned work areas.
• Attends trials, hearings, and conferences; takes and enters minutes on a variety of court actions into case management systems; operates electronic recording equipment to tape record proceedings, as required.
• Identifies, maintains, tags, marks and stores all exhibits; obtains signed receipts for exhibits that are withdrawn or released.
• Administers the impanelment of juries; orders jury panels and records selection of jurors; administers oaths to juries, witnesses, and others concerned with the case, as required; recites charges information, indictments and verdicts aloud in court; records defendants' pleas to charges and court or jury verdicts; requests interpreter and/or court reporter services; requests special equipment when needed; calculates and collects jury and reporter fees.

To view the full job description, click on the following link:

SUPERIOR COURT CLERK I

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION:
High school diploma or GED certificate.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
Option 1: Three (3) years of full-time (or equivalent) experience in a professional office or legal environment regularly performing clerical duties and utilizing customer service skills. The ideal candidate should have experience in a court/legal environment, healthcare, law enforcement, probation, social services, or another public agency.
-OR-
Option 2: Two (2) years of full-time (or equivalent) court clerical experience with the Orange County Superior Court.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Experience and knowledge of court case processing and court practices is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Goals and responsibilities of the judicial system, including the functions and relationships of the California trial courts, Courts of Appeal, the state Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.
• Courtroom proceedings, local Rules of Court, California Rules of Court, and the procedures and relevant codes related to one or more functional legal areas.
• Modern office procedures and practices including operating a personal computer with word processing software and preparing business correspondence.
• Legal terminology applicable to the preparation, acceptance and processing of legal documents.
• Customer service and telephone etiquette.
• Use and operation of automated case management systems and case calendaring.
• Basic principles of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation for business correspondence.

ABILITY TO

• Learn/use legal terminology and procedures for preparing, examining, approving and maintaining legal documents.
• Speak and write clearly and professionally in order to explain court procedures, swear in juries and witnesses, read proceedings and judgments, and provide instructions to attorneys and the public.
• Reason analytically and organize facts; remember and apply complex rules, procedures and other detailed information; follow sometimes complex oral and written instructions.
• Independently exercise good judgment in answering questions, especially relating to the handling of sensitive information.
• Perform multiple activities or assignments, often simultaneously, which require attention to detail and accuracy.
• Work in an environment that includes frequent interruptions, simultaneous attention to multiple tasks and meeting legally established deadlines.
• Perform basic mathematical and monetary computations.
• Maintain confidentiality of Court documents and records.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with judicial officers, attorneys, co-workers, supervisors, the public, and others while under pressure, time constraints, and exacting professional and legal standards.
• Perform writing, filing, document stamping and/or keyboarding often for prolonged periods of time.
• Keyboard at a corrected rate of 45 wpm.
• Operate a personal computer and learn a variety of software programs.
• Understand, document and/or respond to rulings, directions and inquiries and other sounds in the work environment often with competing background noises.
• Read legal documents, written correspondence and information on computer screens.
• Sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with defendants, county agency staff, and attorneys to clearly explain the court's order/position and gain cooperation, often under contentious circumstances.

Additional Information

APPLICATION PROCESS
All applicants are required to submit a completed online application and supplemental questionnaire. To learn more about how to create an application, click . Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questionnaire. For tips on completing/updating your application, refer to our "Helpful Application Tips" guide by clicking

SELECTION PROCESS
Step 1: Applications will be reviewed to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and/or desirables; those candidates will be referred to step 2 in the selection process.

Step 2: Candidates' supplemental question responses may be evaluated and ranked. Depending on the number of applications, assessments and/or screening interviews may be conducted. If any part of the assessment process consists of proctored, in-person tests, candidates will be required to appear in person regardless of where they reside. Note: Though candidates may live outside of the State of California while participating in a recruitment process, individuals must reside within the State to be eligible for Court employment.

Step 3: Those candidates who are successful in the review/assessment will be placed on the eligible list. Placement on the eligible list is not a guarantee of interview or employment.

All candidates will be notified via email of their status at each step of the process. Additional steps for the selection process will include a local background check and a reference check.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Orange County Superior Court provides reasonable accommodations upon request for applicants with disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department at if you feel you will need a reasonable accommodation for any aspect of the selection process.
PRACTICE TESTS

General practice tests are available to help candidates prepare for online examinations. An interactive, Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed on the SHL website. Please note that the test(s) offered on this site only serve as guides. The test questions that you complete during your actual test may vary in format, content, and level of difficulty. Note: Practice tests are not available in all subjects. To access the practice tests, please visit

ELIGIBLE LIST
This recruitment will be used to establish an eligible list for current and future vacancies. The eligible list will remain active until the list is exhausted or a new recruitment opens.

STATUS NOTIFICATIONS
You will be notified by email during the process of this recruitment through governmentjobs.com. Please check your email spam/junk folders and accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and occourts.org. If your contact information changes, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
E-VERIFY
The Superior Court of California, County of Orange participates in the E-Verify program which confirms employment eligibility of new hires.
QUESTIONS?
For questions on this recruitment, please contact Adriana Cortez at For general employment information, please click
Orange County Superior Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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INSURANCE PLANS: Employees have an option to enroll in one of five medical plans; three HMO's (Cigna Select, Cigna Choice, and Kaiser Choice) and two PPO's (Wellwise Choice or Sharewell Choice), both administered by Blue Shield. The employee contributions toward the HMO or PPO insurance vary based on plan, coverage level and participation in the annual wellness credit program. To view health plan rates and summaries of benefits and coverage, click

Various non-medical benefits (dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability (STD) insurance) are available and are administered by the Orange County Employees Association (OCEA).

HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: The Court will contribute $61.50 per pay period into individual employee Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) accounts for eligible full-time employees ($30.75 per pay period for eligible part-time). This Court contribution will increase 2.5% annually each first full pay period in July.

LONG-TERM CARE: CalPERS Long-Term Care coverage is available to current and former California public employees, retirees, their spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings (including stepbrothers and stepsisters), grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law between the ages of 18 and 79 when they apply. Eligible family members may apply even if the public employee or retiree who makes them eligible does not apply or is not approved for coverage. NOTICE: CalPERS has temporarily suspended open enrollment for the Long-Term Care Program due to current uncertainty in the long-term care market. Therefore, until further notice, CalPERS will no longer accept new applications for coverage at this time.

RETIREMENT: Defined Benefit, fully qualified plan based on the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (Government Code Section 31450 et. al.). Employee and Court contributions are based on several variables including age, hire date, and salary. The plan is administered by an independent agency, Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS), and has reciprocity with various California systems. Currently, eligible new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in a defined benefit retirement plan referred to as Plan U (2.5% at 67 formula). *If you were employed by an OCERS employer or reciprocal agency prior to January 1, 2013, you have less than a six-month break in service, and reciprocity is established, you may be eligible to select from two other retirement pension formula options (Plan J or Plan P). See website for more information.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Optional deferred compensation 457 & Roth 457 Deferred Contribution Plans are available.

VACATION ACCRUAL: New full-time employees earn 80 hours of vacation after the employee has accumulated 2,080 regularly scheduled paid hours (after approximately 1 year of service). Following the first year, vacation is accrued as follows: 1-3 years, 80 hours per year; 4-9 years, 120 hours per year; 10-19 years, 160 hours per year; 20 or more year, 200 hours per year. Maximum accrual of hours: 0-9 years; 240 hours; 10 or more years, 320 hours. Part-time employees accrue vacation on a prorated basis.

HOLIDAYS: 14 paid holidays per year.

SICK LEAVE: 0-3 years accrue 72 hours of sick time per year as full-time employees. After 3 years, full-time employees accrue 96 hours per year. Part-time employees accrue sick leave on a prorated basis. Unlimited accrual. Some sick leave maybe converted to cash or vacation time.

COMP TIME: All employees receive compensatory time every March. Full- time employees receive 4 hours and part-time employees receive 2 hours.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: 5 days of paid leave per qualifying instance.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: Court pays into county administered insurance fund.

OVERTIME: Court pays overtime (time and a half) for all hours worked over 40 hours per week, even for exempt employees with the exception of Official Court Reporters. Court Technology employees earn overtime where overtime is in excess of 80 hours worked per pay period.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION: Administered by the Judicial Council's, third party administrator.

EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT: Court reimburses up to $3,500 per year of tuition for approved, necessary courses, subject to availability of funds.

FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT AND FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS: Employees of the Court may be eligible for Federal Student Loan Repayment and Loan Forgiveness Programs.

BILINGUAL PAY: Available at additional $0.58/hour for selected classes in selected positions.

EXCEPTIONAL BILINGUAL PAY: Available for specific classes at a rate of $1.15/hour in selected positions.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): Court offers EAP confidential services to assist employees with marital, family, emotional, legal, financial, and chemical dependency problems. This service is offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

DISCOUNT PROGRAMS: There are numerous discount programs available to Court employees. These include, but are not limited to discounts on hearing aids, pet insurance, local attractions, technology products, wellness services and gym memberships.

ONLINE PRIVACY BENEFIT: Employees may elect to enroll in a voluntary online privacy protection plan provided by IronWall360. This benefit helps protect employee's online privacy by searching the Internet and locating any personal information and making sure it is removed.

Provisions are subject to terms:
01

INSTRUCTIONS: The information you provide on this questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the selection process and may also be used in a competitive evaluation of qualifications. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. If you do not have experience in an area, please answer "N/A". Statements such as "see application," will not be accepted in lieu of a response. All employers referenced on this questionnaire must be listed on your application. Do you understand these instructions?

• Yes
• No

02

I understand that a résumé MAY NOT be submitted in lieu of the employment application (or completion of the work history section of the application). A résumé may be submitted in addition to the employment application, but applicants are selected for an interview and/or testing based primarily on information supplied by the application and supplemental forms. Do you understand these instructions?

• Yes
• No

03

RESIDENCY/WORK ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT: I understand that I may live outside of the State of California while participating in a recruitment process, however if am selected for a position, I must reside within the State to be eligible for Court employment. In addition, work performed while working for the Court, even remote work, must be done within the State of California. I also understand that the Orange County Superior Court does not provide US visa or employment sponsorship.

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a high school diploma, G.E.D. certificate or equivalent/higher level education?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have experience working for a California court or any of the following fields, legal environment, healthcare, law enforcement, probation, social services, or another public agency?

• Yes
• No

06

Briefly describe your work experience in a professional office or legal environment setting. Please provide the name of the employer(s), position(s) held and dates of employment for each job included in that field. If you do not have experience in this area, please enter "N/A" in the box below.
07

How many years of full-time experience do you have where you had direct experience with and knowledge of case processing and court practices with a court or a justice system partner such as District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation Department, Police Department or large law firm?

• None
• Less than two years
• At least two years
• Three years or more

08

Describe your work experience and knowledge of case processing and court practices with a court or a justice system partner such as District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation Department, Police Department or large law firm. Include the name of the employer, position held and dates of employment for each job included. If you do not have experience in this area, please enter "N/A" in the box below.
09

Select the case type(s) in which you have experience (mark all that apply).

• Criminal
• Civil
• Collaborative Courts
• Family Law
• Probate/Mental Health
• Traffic
• Juvenile
• None

10

Describe your work experience working with and entering information into a Court Case Management System. Include the name of employer, position held and dates of employment for each job included. If you do not have experience in this area, please enter "N/A" in the box below.
11

Describe your work experience reviewing, interpreting, preparing, and correcting technical and legal documents such as, motions, dispositions, commitment orders, judgments, abstracts, minute orders, court records, etc. Include the name of the employer, position held and dates of employment for each job included. If you do not have experience in this area, please enter "N/A" in the box below.
12

What is your case-type preference(s)?

• Criminal
• Civil
• Family Law
• Juvenile
• Probate/Mental Health
• Traffic
• No preference

13

What is your work location preference(s)? NOTE: Work location preference is considered; however, it is NOT guaranteed as work assignments may be at various locations.

• Central Justice Center - Santa Ana
• Community Court - Santa Ana
• Costa Mesa Justice Complex - Costa Mesa
• Harbor Justice Center - Newport Beach
• Lamoreaux Justice Center - Orange
• North Justice Center - Fullerton
• West Justice Center - Westminster
• No preference

Required Question