SENIOR COURT CLERK, PROBATE
Senior Court Clerk, Probate sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's local-government civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It asks for 4 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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Senior 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, on behalf of the Surrogate, prepares and presents more complex probate proceedings, requiring adjudication at a higher court level, and/or takes the lead over subordinate court clerk personnel; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Takes lead 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 property to pay debts, sale of lands owned by minors, withdrawal of funds by guardians, processing of wills with no witnesses, monetary evaluation of estates for bonding and closing purposes, and others.
- Prepares court documents and ensures they are in order and proper for adjudication.
- Provides information and assistance to attorneys and general public regarding court processes, applicable New Jersey statutes, laws, rules, and precedent court decisions.
- Briefs court judges on nature of cases prior to court proceedings and sits at court hearings taking minutes and providing any legal or technical background information required by presiding judge and participating appellants and attorneys.
- Examines confidential reports regarding participants in adoption cases, trusteeships, guardianships, and advises presiding judge of findings.
- Establishes calendar cases for presiding judge(s).
- Prepares proper execution of legal papers and documents entered into court proceedings.
- Ensures that subsequent court orders/judgments are processed at Surrogate level.
- Established and maintains essential records and files.
- Prepares related correspondence, certificates, and documents.
- 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.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in the preparation and processing of legal papers and documents dealing with probate practices and procedure.
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 techniques used to perform probate and related work.
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply the Laws of New Jersey and Rules of Supreme Court with respect to probating of wills and administration of estates.
- Ability to keep current with changes in concerned laws, decisions, and court rules.
- Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to work harmoniously with associates and public.
- Ability to maintain 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 of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
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.