Probate Court Clerk

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:Probate Court Clerk

SALARY:$48,083.75 - $62,192.32

DEPARTMENT:Probate Court Wills & Estates

Opening Date:05/09/2025

Closing Date:05/23/2025 12:00 a.m.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement or Human Resources and Labor Relations Policy

Employment Relationship: Just cause subject to probationary period

GENERAL SUMMARY

Manages an assigned Probate Judge's docket/calendar. Enters resulting court hearings in the court's case management system, processing and/or preparing orders, working directly with judges, attorneys, guardians, public administrators, Friend of the Court, Juvenile Division, and the public. Manages the judge's calendar and filings. Additionally, responsible for Deputy Register duties in Probate Court Administration. Assists the general public, prosecutors, defendants, attorneys, guardians, and public administrators with questions, documents and directions regarding court matters. Receives and processes incoming paperwork to include setting up new files.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prepares Judge's courtroom weekly docket.

Obtains all required case files on the week's docket.

Reviews and organizes files for complete record of case progress.

Enters results of court hearings into court case management data system (motions, dispositions, pretrial settlement conferences, status conferences, etc.).

Documents events in court case management data system.

Notifies proper departments (Sheriff, Friend of the Court, Secretary of State, case management, Probate Court Administration) on events in the courtroom that occur during session on record, when necessary.

Records for the Judge and enter into court case management system events that transpire in the Judge's chambers based on communications from the judge in the form of orders from the Judge or attorneys.

Checks all parties in to cases on the docket, managing the flow of the courtroom.

Gives oath as needed to defendants, witnesses, interpreters.

Maintains jury personnel and pay records.

Prepares and processes orders following court hearings for accuracy, format and compliance with Court policy and rule and enter into court case management system.

Obtains Judge's signature on orders as necessary.

Answers questions from attorneys, litigants, paralegals, and internal departments in the processes and procedures of Probate Court.

Maintains internal filing of documents, records and data entry.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

Possession of a high school diploma or certificate of successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) Test

Three (3) years of related work experience processing civil, criminal and/or domestic cases in a court or legal setting.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

Legal terminology and court procedures

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment

Court case management system operation

Michigan Court Rules and applicable laws

Court internal procedures and policies

Probate Court laws and rules

Skill in:

Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships

Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature

Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios

Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments

Maintaining office organization

Working in a fast paced organization

Ability to:

Make decisions applying Probate Court laws and rules

Meet schedules and deadlines of the work

Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries

Problem solve

Prioritize and multi-task in a fast paced environment

Operate the court case management system and computerized office equipment and software

Understand and follow court rules, policies and practices

Maintain attention to detail for accuracy

Train and assist other Probate Clerks in job duties

Complete data entry into the court case management system

Effectively speak, write and understand the English language

Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred

Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions

Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files

Maintain the confidentiality of information

Work independently

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: N/S

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: F/C

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: F/C

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: O

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85+ decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand:

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/S

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): O

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: N/S

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: N/S

Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another:

Up to 10 pounds: F/C

11-24 pounds: O

25-34 pounds: N/S

35-50 pounds: N/S

51-74 pounds: N/S

75-99 pounds: N/S

Over 100 pounds: N/S

Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: N/S

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): N/S

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: O

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.

The UAW Local 889 – Probate Court/Corporation Counsel bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.

R25001648