Court, Municipal, and License Clerks

Overview

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Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.

Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees.

Yearly Salary

High: $62K
Median: $40K
Low: $27K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Evaluate information on applications to verify completeness and accuracy and to determine whether applicants are qualified to obtain desired licenses.
  • Perform administrative tasks, such as answering telephone calls, filing court documents, or maintaining office supplies or equipment.
  • Record and edit the minutes of meetings and distribute to appropriate officials or staff members.
  • Verify the authenticity of documents, such as foreign identification or immigration documents.
  • Issue public notification of all official activities or meetings.
  • Question applicants to obtain required information, such as name, address, or age, and record data on prescribed forms.
  • Record and maintain all vital and fiscal records and accounts.
  • Record case dispositions, court orders, or arrangements made for payment of court fees.
  • Answer questions or provide advice to the public regarding licensing policies, procedures, or regulations.
  • Examine legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws or court procedures.
  • Prepare meeting agendas or packets of related information.
  • Answer inquiries from the general public regarding judicial procedures, court appearances, trial dates, adjournments, outstanding warrants, summonses, subpoenas, witness fees, or payment of fines.
  • Participate in the administration of municipal elections, such as preparation or distribution of ballots, appointment or training of election officers, or tabulation or certification of results.
  • Prepare ordinances, resolutions, or proclamations so that they can be executed, recorded, archived, or distributed.
  • Code information on license applications for entry into computers.
  • Perform budgeting duties, such as assisting in budget preparation, expenditure review, or budget administration.
  • Prepare and issue orders of the court, such as probation orders, release documentation, sentencing information, or summonses.
  • Prepare documents recording the outcomes of court proceedings.
  • Perform record checks on past or current licensees, as required by investigations.
  • Perform general office duties, such as taking or transcribing dictation, typing or proofreading correspondence, distributing or filing official forms, or scheduling appointments.
  • Search files and contact witnesses, attorneys, or litigants to obtain information for the court.
  • Instruct parties about timing of court appearances.
  • Respond to requests for information from the public, other municipalities, state officials, or state and federal legislative offices.
  • Coordinate or maintain office tracking systems for correspondence or follow-up actions.
  • Train other workers or coordinate their work, as necessary.
  • Perform contract administration duties, assisting with bid openings or the awarding of contracts.
  • Research information in the municipal archives upon request of public officials or private citizens.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Calendar and scheduling software
Work scheduling software
Data base reporting software
Data Technologies Summit
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Document management software
Adobe Acrobat
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Information retrieval or search software
Thomson Reuters Westlaw
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Syscon Court Clerk
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Video conferencing software
Zoom
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Arts and crafts equipment and accessories and supplies
Notary public stamps
Audio and visual presentation and composing equipment
Microfilm viewing equipment
Communications Devices and Accessories
Mobile radios
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Ballot marking systems
Consumer electronics
Digital audio recorders
Office and desk accessories
Cash drawers
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Desktop calculators
Patient exam and monitoring products
Vision testing machines
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Digital still cameras
Signage and accessories
Notary public seal presses

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Customer and Personal Service
90%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administrative
86%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Law and Government
82%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

English Language
81%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Administration and Management
70%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Computers and Electronics
68%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics
58%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Personnel and Human Resources
57%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Public Safety and Security
55%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Economics and Accounting
54%
Importance

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Top 10 Skills

Active Listening
73%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking
73%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension
68%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Writing
68%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking
65%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Social Perceptiveness
65%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Service Orientation
63%
Importance

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Time Management
63%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Coordination
60%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Top 10 Abilities

Oral Comprehension
78%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
75%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Near Vision
73%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Recognition
70%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Comprehension
70%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Deductive Reasoning
68%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Information Ordering
68%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Problem Sensitivity
68%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Speech Clarity
68%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Expression
68%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Top 10 Work Activities

Working with Computers
93%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information
86%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
83%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
83%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Processing Information
82%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Documenting/Recording Information
81%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
76%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with People Outside the Organization
75%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
75%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
73%
Importance

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Verify accuracy of financial or transactional data.
  • Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition.
  • Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
  • Examine documents to verify adherence to requirements.
  • Record information from meetings or other formal proceedings.
  • Distribute materials to employees or customers.
  • Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
  • Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
  • Maintain financial or account records.
  • Record information about legal matters.
  • Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
  • Prepare informational or reference materials.
  • Prepare legal documents.
  • Code data or other information.
  • Analyze financial information.
  • Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.
  • Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
  • Schedule appointments.
  • Issue documentation or identification to customers or employees.
  • Communicate with government agencies.
  • Provide information to the general public.
  • Coordinate operational activities.
  • Train personnel.
  • Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
  • Issue certificates or licenses.
  • Collect deposits, payments or fees.
  • Manage clerical or administrative activities.
  • Coordinate legal schedules or activities.

Education

Interests

Conventional
88%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Enterprising
61%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Social
50%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Realistic
29%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Investigative
28%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Artistic
16%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Work Values

Relationships
70%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Independence
54%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Support
54%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Working Conditions
52%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Achievement
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.