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Court, Municipal, and License Clerks

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.
  • Summary

  • Details

  • Work Activities

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

    Skills

    • Judgment and Decision Making
      • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
    • Speaking
      • Talking to others.
    • Reading Comprehension
      • Reading work-related information.
    • Management of Material Resources
      • Managing equipment and materials.
    • Instructing
      • Teaching people how to do something.
    • Management of Personnel Resources
      • Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
    • Learning Strategies
      • Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
    • Coordination
      • Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
    • Systems Evaluation
      • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
    • Active Learning
      • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
    • Social Perceptiveness
      • Understanding people's reactions.
    • Science
      • Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
    • Repairing
      • Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
    • Technology Design
      • Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
    • Troubleshooting
      • Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
    • Management of Financial Resources
      • Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
    • Critical Thinking
      • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
    • Quality Control Analysis
      • Testing how well a product or service works.
    • Equipment Maintenance
      • Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
    • Operations Analysis
      • Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
    • Persuasion
      • Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
    • Negotiation
      • Bringing people together to solve differences.
    • Monitoring
      • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
    • Service Orientation
      • Looking for ways to help people.
    • Complex Problem Solving
      • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
    • Mathematics
      • Using math to solve problems.
    • Programming
      • Writing computer programs.
    • Equipment Selection
      • Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
    • Active Listening
      • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
    • Operation and Control
      • Using equipment or systems.
    • Installation
      • Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
    • Operations Monitoring
      • Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
    • Systems Analysis
      • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
    • Writing
      • Writing things for co-workers or customers.
    • Time Management
      • Managing your time and the time of other people.

    Abilities

    • Manual Dexterity
      • Holding or moving items with your hands.
    • Inductive Reasoning
      • Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
    • Control Precision
      • Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
    • Information Ordering
      • Ordering or arranging things.
    • Oral Comprehension
      • Listening and understanding what people say.
    • Multilimb Coordination
      • Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
    • Deductive Reasoning
      • Using rules to solve problems.
    • Depth Perception
      • Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
    • Near Vision
      • Seeing details up close.
    • Glare Sensitivity
      • Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
    • Finger Dexterity
      • Putting together small parts with your fingers.
    • Wrist-Finger Speed
      • Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
    • Static Strength
      • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
    • Memorization
      • Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
    • Selective Attention
      • Paying attention to something without being distracted.
    • Category Flexibility
      • Grouping things in different ways.
    • Written Expression
      • Communicating by writing.
    • Trunk Strength
      • Using your lower back and stomach.
    • Stamina
      • Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
    • Dynamic Flexibility
      • Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
    • Gross Body Coordination
      • Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
    • Auditory Attention
      • Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
    • Sound Localization
      • Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
    • Spatial Orientation
      • Knowing where things are around you.
    • Number Facility
      • Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
    • Oral Expression
      • Communicating by speaking.
    • Perceptual Speed
      • Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
    • Rate Control
      • Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
    • Visualization
      • Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
    • Originality
      • Creating new and original ideas.
    • Fluency of Ideas
      • Coming up with lots of ideas.
    • Reaction Time
      • Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
    • Gross Body Equilibrium
      • Keeping your balance or staying upright.
    • Far Vision
      • Seeing details that are far away.
    • Hearing Sensitivity
      • Telling the difference between sounds.
    • Peripheral Vision
      • Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
    • Time Sharing
      • Doing two or more things at the same time.
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
      • Keeping your arm or hand steady.
    • Mathematical Reasoning
      • Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
    • Response Orientation
      • Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
    • Dynamic Strength
      • Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
    • Written Comprehension
      • Reading and understanding what is written.
    • Extent Flexibility
      • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
    • Speech Recognition
      • Recognizing spoken words.
    • Speed of Closure
      • Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
    • Flexibility of Closure
      • Seeing hidden patterns.
    • Problem Sensitivity
      • Noticing when problems happen.
    • Explosive Strength
      • Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
    • Speech Clarity
      • Speaking clearly.
    • Visual Color Discrimination
      • Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
    • Speed of Limb Movement
      • Quickly moving your arms and legs.
    • Night Vision
      • Seeing at night or under low light.

    Knowledge

    • Chemistry
      • Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
    • Education and Training
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
    • Telecommunications
      • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
    • Administration and Management
      • 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.
    • Mechanical
      • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
    • Geography
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
    • History and Archeology
      • Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
    • Psychology
      • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
    • Sociology and Anthropology
      • Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
    • Transportation
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
    • Therapy and Counseling
      • Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
    • Biology
      • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
    • English Language
      • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
    • Design
      • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
    • Communications and Media
      • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
    • Food Production
      • Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
    • Physics
      • Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
    • Mathematics
      • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
    • Philosophy and Theology
      • Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
    • Administrative
      • Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
    • Economics and Accounting
      • Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
    • Customer and Personal Service
      • 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.
    • Building and Construction
      • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
    • Fine Arts
      • Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
    • Engineering and Technology
      • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
    • Computers and Electronics
      • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
    • Personnel and Human Resources
      • Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
    • Foreign Language
      • Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
    • Production and Processing
      • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
    • Medicine and Dentistry
      • Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
    • Public Safety and Security
      • 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.
    • Law and Government
      • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
    • Sales and Marketing
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

    Education

    Education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    Work Experience
    No work experience
    Training
    More than 1 year on-the-job training

    Pay

    Washington Annual Salary
    62460/yr
    Washington Hourly Wage
    30.03/hr

    Washington Employment Trends

    Currently Employed
    3,700
    Yearly Projected Openings
    420

    Personality

    Conventional: People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines. They do well at jobs that need:
    • Integrity
    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cooperation
    • Self Control
    • Stress Tolerance

    Tools

    • Automatic postal or mailing machine
    • Binocular vision test sets
    • Cash or ticket boxes
    • Conversation recording units
    • Desktop calculator
    • Dictation machines
    • Digital cameras
    • Digital image printers
    • Digital voice recorders
    • Electronic voting or vote-counting equipment
    • Inkjet printers
    • Laser fax machine
    • Laser printers
    • Magnetic stripe readers and encoders
    • Microfiche or microfilm viewers
    • Notary seals
    • Optical character recognition systems
    • Paper shredding machines or accessories
    • Personal computers
    • Photocopiers
    • Printer calculator
    • Punch card reader
    • Rubber stamping stamps
    • Scanners
    • Special purpose telephones
    • Stenotype machines
    • Touch screen monitors
    • Two way radios
    • Typewriters

    Technology

    • Calendar and scheduling software
    • Data base reporting software
    • Data base user interface and query software
    • Document management software
    • Electronic mail software
    • Information retrieval or search software
    • Office suite software
    • Presentation software
    • Project management software
    • Spreadsheet software
    • Video conferencing software
    • Word processing software