NJ Civil Service Navigator

PRINCIPAL COURT CLERK, PROBATE

Code: 02788 Local Non-Competitive

Because Principal Court Clerk, Probate is non-competitive, hiring leans on your background rather than a test score: meet the requirements and apply to the agency directly.

What it takes is 5 years of relevant experience.

How to apply

This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.

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Where this title is used

Principal Court Clerk, Probate is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

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Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, has charge of a unit and/or is totally responsible for preparing and presenting, on behalf of the Surrogate, all probate proceedings requiring adjudication at a higher court level; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

  • Acts for and works closely with the Surrogate, as a clerk of the Court, on those matters requiring review and decision by a higher court level such as contested wills, incompetency proceedings, child adoptions, appointment and determination of fitness of guardians, sale of lands to pay debts, sale of property owned by minors, withdrawal of funds by guardians, processing of wills with no witnesses, monetary evaluation of estates for bonding, closing purposes, and others.
  • Prepares court documents and ensures they are in order and proper for adjudication.
  • Personally processes the most difficult cases and assigns the more routine cases to one or more lower level Court Clerks, Probate according to work load demands.
  • Provides information and assistance to attorneys and the general public regarding court processes, applicable New Jersey statutes, laws, rules, and precedent court decisions.
  • Briefs court judges on the nature of the cases prior to court proceedings and sits at court hearings taking minutes and providing any legal or technical background information required by the presiding judge and participating appellants and attorneys.
  • Examines confidential reports regarding participants in adoption cases, trusteeships, and guardianships and advises presiding judge of findings.
  • Establishes calendar cases for presiding judge(s).
  • Prepares and is responsible for the proper execution of legal papers and documents entered into court proceedings.
  • Ensures that subsequent court orders/judgements are processed at the Surrogate level.
  • Establishes and maintains necessary records and files
  • Prepares related documents, certificates, reports, and correspondence.
  • Answers inquiries and provides advice and guidance to lower level Court Clerks, Probate regarding difficult, unusual, or complex probate court processes.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements

<b>EXPERIENCE:<b>

Five (5) years of experience in the preparation and processing of legal papers and documents dealing with probate practices and procedures.</b></b>

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Knowledge of probate practices and procedures.
  • Knowledge of the techniques used to perform probate and related work.
  • Knowledge of court practices and procedures.
  • Ability to organize assigned supervisory and other work.
  • Ability to read and apply the laws of New Jersey and the Rules of the Supreme Court with respect to the probating of wills and the administration of estates.
  • Ability to keep current with changes in applicable laws, decisions, and court rules.
  • Ability to work harmoniously with associates and the public.
  • Ability to provide suitable assignments and instructions to assigned employees.
  • Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
  • Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
  • Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
  • CODES: LG- CAH 1/6/99
  • This job specification is for local government use only.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Successful completion of an approved course of paralegal training at an accredited school or educational institution may be substituted for one (1) year of the above experience.