County of Berks, PA ยท 5 hours ago
Office Support II (PFA Clerk - Prothonotary Department)
Reading, PA
Part-time
Onsite
Entry Level
$22.09/hr - $22.09/hr
1+ years expThe County of Berks, PA is seeking an Office Support II (PFA Clerk) to manage the processing of Protection from Abuse Orders and related documents. The role involves clerical duties such as filing, data entry, and communication with various stakeholders while ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with legal procedures.
Government Administration
Responsibilities
Processes, issues, copies, certifies, and distributes all Protection from Abuse Orders, Civil Bench Warrants, and Bench Warrant Stays entered by the Family Court Judges and filed in this office. This also entails the preparation of envelopes for mailing
Creates each new PFA case on the official docket by entering all data from the document into the computer by case number. This includes identifying the type of case, judge assigned, date and time of filing, type of parties, names of parties, addresses of parties, filing attorney, name of document, cost of filing, and hearing dates
Checks, analyzes, and verifies information contained on incoming PFA documents for accuracy prior to filing and processing. May make some independent procedural decisions but should seek support as needed if documents are not correct and notify the appropriate party and/or the Judges' office for correction of procedure
Identifies, analyzes, verifies, and processes all PFA documents by making detailed entries on the docket of a case as it proceeds through the civil legal process. Must understand the nature of the filings to determine the corresponding language for entry onto the official docket, as well as understand if the document requires other actions to be taken with regard to the file, docket, or cost program
Enters all PFA-related costs due to the County, party responsible, and time allocation given for payment, per Court Orders, into the computer PFA Cost Collection Program and onto the official docket
Prepares, prints, issues, docket, and distributes all Notifications of PFA Costs to parties and their attorneys
Processes and enters all Prothonotary and Sheriff PFA payments received, either by mail or in person, into the PFA Cost Collection Program and onto the official docket
Enters costs due for PFA cases scheduled for hearings onto the daily hearing list and makes copies for the Judges for use in their Courtroom the following day
Prints, verifies for accuracy, and forwards proposed Rule Returnable Orders for non-payment of PFA costs to the appropriate Judge for the scheduling of a non-payment of costs hearing, and upon return of the signed Rules, makes corresponding entries on the official docket
Prepares Cancellation of Hearing Notices upon payment of PFA costs in full, notifies Judge's Chambers and Court Administration
Assists the public in searches and answers inquiries related to PFAs
Answers phones and furnishes information to the public regarding PFA matters pending before the Court, as well as directs callers to other offices as appropriate
Operates various office equipment, including PCs, laser printers, copiers, scanners, and cash registers
Other duties as assigned
Assists with training co-workers as needed
Checks for accuracy the docket entry of all Sheriff Return of Service of PFA Petitions and Orders made on the Prothonotary computer case docket by the Sheriff's Office and enters corresponding Sheriff's costs, if applicable, into the PFA Cost Program
Retrieves, copies, and/or faxes documents/files maintained in the Prothonotary's office for the public, the Courts, various County Offices, State and Local Police Departments, School Districts, and Prisons, as needed
Checks files and the criminal system for updates of party addresses upon receipt of returned PFA mail and maintains a list of confidential party addresses
Tracks and locates documents throughout the office before processing has been completed, as requested
Assembles a variety of PFA data from office records for incorporation into various reports. Said data/reports may be maintained for audit purposes, court administration needs, and judicial requests
Qualification
Required
High school diploma or possession of a valid G.E.D. certificate
Minimum of one (1) year of experience in general typing and office practices
Legal experience and/or school preferred
Working knowledge of Prothonotary office methods, practices, and procedures
Ability to make mathematical calculations and perform detailed clerical work
Working knowledge of computers and software programs, including but not limited to Windows, Microsoft Word, and Excel
Ability to type at a rate of 47 words per minute from clear copy with 85% accuracy
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Ability to understand and carry out both oral and written directions
General understanding of the law as it pertains to the Prothonotary's Office and the filing of civil documents, including the PA Rules of Civil Procedure, as well as all Local Rules governing Berks County
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a very busy, fast-paced, public office with a high volume of detailed legal work that is subject to time pressures
Must possess a high degree of alertness, a keen willingness to learn, and the ability to undertake progressively more difficult assignments
Understanding and ability to adhere to the confidentiality of information contained in files and/or on documents sealed by law or by court order
Ability to handle stress
Physical presence in the office is required
Ability to sit and stand for up to 2 to 3 hours without a break
Bending, pulling, and reaching for files
Ability to lift docket books and files weighing up to 45 lbs
Ability to move storage boxes weighing in excess of 40 lbs
Stamina to handle a stressful, demanding, and physical job
Company
County of Berks, PA
It is the mission of Berks County government and all County employees to administer and deliver services to the citizens of the County in the most effective, efficient and professional manner possible within the constraints of the financial resources available.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Timothy Smith
Chief Information Officer
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