ABOUT FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT

The Franklin County Municipal Court is the largest and busiest municipal Court in the state. The Court has fourteen judges in the General Division and one judge in the Environmental Division. Judges preside over civil, criminal, and traffic cases and conduct both jury and non-jury trials. The Court's jurisdiction includes traffic cases, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil cases where the amount at issue is $15,000 or less. The Environmental Division has exclusive jurisdiction to enforce local codes and regulations affecting real property, such as fire and building codes. The geographic jurisdiction of the Court is all of Franklin County and those portions of the City of Columbus that extend beyond the boundaries of Franklin County. Despite its jurisdiction and name, the Franklin County Municipal Court is the judicial branch of the City of Columbus government.

A magistrate is an attorney employed by the Court to whom a judge may refer a case to take testimony, make legal rulings, and render a decision, subject to final approval by a judge. agistrates' duties include traffic arraignments, landlord-tenant actions, small claims cases, garnishments, damage hearings, trusteeships, BMV license suspension matters, and parking violation appeals.

A bailiff is a court officer who provides case, docket, and courtroom management to the magistrate. Each magistrate's bailiff is assigned to that magistrate, and for this position, the bailiff will primarily work with Magistrate Danielle Sparks. The bailiff's duties also require the bailiff to work regularly with all the magistrates, as a bailiff is required to assist when other magistrates' bailiffs are absent.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

• Assist the magistrate in handling their dockets, including evictions, traffic arraignments, trusteeships, rent escrows, garnishment appeals, parking violation appeals, and license suspensions.
• Coordinate courtroom activity; monitor audio and video recording equipment; maintain necessary records; provide clerical support; and facilitate efficient docket flow in the courtroom to which the bailiff is assigned.
• Act as liaison between the magistrates, attorneys, parties, Court and Clerk employees, law enforcement officers, criminal justice agencies, litigants, and the public.
• Ensure that all files, forms, and materials necessary for the efficient operation of the courtroom are in place, and secure case files, records, exhibits, and the courtroom.
• Review case files; provide case management; and prepare file documentation for entries in various types of civil proceedings.
• Assist the magistrate in handling the magistrates' individually assigned Small Claims cases.
• Assist in the Duty Room or Arraignment Courtrooms as needed.
• Perform other tasks assigned and may be assigned to other positions in other departments of the Court if required. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Some knowledge of legal terminology, court procedures, and the flow of documents throughout the Court and the Clerk's Office.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, produce accurate work, and able to multitask and function efficiently in a high-volume, high-stress environment.
• Ability to read and copy records precisely; arrange items in alphabetical or numeric order; assess questions and provide information; sort items into categories according to established methods; complete routine forms; and lift to 20 pounds.
• Knowledge of common office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Proficiency in operating a personal computer and using, or being able to learn,  Microsoft Office products such as Word, Outlook, and Excel, and a case management system.
• Ability to effectively and professionally communicate verbally and in writing in English to diverse audiences.
• Pleasant personality and ability to interact and maintain effective working relationships with judges, employees, and others conducting business with the Court.
• Courts are sensitive to the diversity within their communities and are able to interact professionally with this diverse population of people from many different geographic, socioeconomic, religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds regularly.
• Professional appearance and demeanor appropriate for the position and the work environment expected of a representative of the Court.
• DeCourterated dependability, reliability, and excellent attendance record.
• Patience, objectivity, maturity, effectiveness under stress, initiative, and adaptability.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with court systems, procedures, and terminology.
• Prior work experience in a court or legal environment.
• Fluency in a second language is a plus, particularly Spanish, American Sign Language, or a language commonly used by Somalis for whom English is a second language.

Additional consideration will be given to individuals who have any of the following qualifications: previous experience in a court system or legal environment; knowledge of the functions and locations of other courts and government agencies; experience reading and working with the public; the ability to speak and write Spanish or a language commonly used by the people of Somalia for whom English is a second language; or proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL).

BENEFITS

The Franklin County Municipal Court offers an excellent benefits package that includes medical, prescription, vision, dental, and life insurance; short-term disability; generous vacation, sick, and personal leave; 11 paid holidays; longevity service payments; sick-leave reciprocity; employee assistance and deferred-compensation programs; tuition reimbursement; and credit-union membership.

Court employees are members of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, which provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits for public employees. The Court required the employer to pay 14 percent of the employee's salary.  Court employees do not have Social Security taxes withheld from their paychecks because they are members of OPERS.

COURT EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEE

In completing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the Court expects the employee to adhere to all Court policies, guidelines, practices, and procedures; act as a role model both inside and outside the Court; perform duties as workload necessitates in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner;d be conscientious about meeting department productivity standards; and communicate regularly with the supervisor about department issues.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

Employees of the Court are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the Court; they are not part of the classified civil service system and are not members of bargaining units.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Court is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, gender, religion, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, military status, or genetic information.