Job Description
Supreme Judicial Court Job Opportunity
Assistant Clerk,
Office of the Clerk for the Commonwealth
All application materials must be emailed by the close of business on November 7, 2024.
Please apply to position as instructed under "Application Requirement" and not through the MassCareer Portal.
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT MISSION STATEMENT:
To promote the rule of law and foster public trust by leading an independent judiciary that assures every person equal access to the fair, timely, and impartial resolution of disputes in courts managed with efficiency and professionalism.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Assistant Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the Commonwealth is appointed by the Justices for a three-year renewable term and assists the Clerk for the Commonwealth in managing all aspects of bringing cases before the full bench of the highest appellate court in Massachusetts. The Assistant Clerk must have experience with court-related technology and the ability to perform a variety of administrative duties including the preparation and maintenance of court papers and records. Work is performed under the direction of the Clerk, although considerable independence is expected in performing assigned tasks.
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MAJOR DUTIES:
The following represents a partial list of those duties and responsibilities performed by individuals in this position. Specific duties will vary depending upon the needs of the Supreme Judicial Court and the Clerk's office.
Assist and work at the direction of the Clerk on:
- Receiving and reviewing briefs, record appendices, applications, and filings in full court cases
- Maintaining the docket of all materials submitted to the court
- The Assistant Clerk must provide courteous customer service and provide information to and assist members of the public, as well as maintain productive relationships with the Justices, court personnel, lawyers, litigants, and other court constituents
- Supervising support staff with regard to all facets of case management
- Coordinating with Trial Court personnel for the preparation of papers in appeals to the court and the disposition of matters remanded by the court
- Attending sessions of the full court
- Performing special projects and assignments as needed, including but not limited to the design, development, and implementation of information technology projects
Assist the Clerk in performing all other duties specified in G. L. c. 221, § 2.
SUPERVISION:
Works under the direct supervision of the Clerk for the Commonwealth, and also takes direction from the Chief Justice and Associate Justices.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:
By law, only persons who are residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may serve as employees of the judicial branch.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Employees of the Supreme Judicial Court are prohibited from engaging directly or indirectly in the practice of law, unless they are acting within the scope of their employment or acting pro se. Employment is contingent upon passage of a criminal record check.
SALARY:
The salary for this position is set by statute, G. L. c. 221, § 93. The current salary is $168,972.18.
TERM:
The term for this position is set by statute, G. L. c. 221, § 1. The term is 3 years, with the possibility for reappointment.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Each candidate must submit the following: (1) cover letter, (2) current resume, and (3) a completed SJC Employment Application and Addendum.
Applications for employment and the addendum to the application are available online at https://www.mass.gov/doc/supreme-judicial-court-application-for-employment-with-addendum.
All materials should be submitted by email to Blanca Tosado at blanca.tosado@jud.state.ma.us by the close of business on November 7, 2024.
The Supreme Judicial Court is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualifications
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- LL.B. or J.D. Degree
- Membership in the Massachusetts Bar
- Minimum 10 years of legal experience, with a preference for
- experience in appellate practice in Massachusetts and extensive
- knowledge of both the court system and appellate procedure
- Working knowledge of civil and criminal law and related appellate practice and procedure
- Supervisory experience preferred
- Extensive experience and skill in working with technological improvements to existing case management systems
- Sound computer skills and demonstrated ability to use document management systems and case management systems
- Ability to efficiently and effectively manage a caseload and to implement improvements to foster efficiency in case management
- Sound legal research skills
- Ability to maintain complex, accurate court records
- Ability to work effectively and independently without direct supervision
- Ability to multi-task under pressure
- Ability to prioritize and supervise the work of others
- Ability to maintain effective, respectful, courteous, and considerate professional working relations with the Justices, Clerk, attorneys, coworkers, and the general public
- Ability to effectively communicate, advise and assist members of the bar and general public, including self-represented litigant