The purpose of this position is to Serve as Judicial Commissioner in the adult criminal justice system of Montgomery County, Clarksville, Tennessee, and TCA Section 40-1-111 through 40-5-201.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Considerable knowledge of the procedures involved with the issuance of warrants, orders of protection, citations, etc. for individuals suspected of criminal activity
• TCA Codes pertaining to the office of Judicial Commissioners.
• All legal transactions and proceedings associated with General Sessions and Circuit Court operations including applicable sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated, general manual for Clerks of the Courts and Local Rules of the Court.
• Federal, State, and local laws pertaining to the rights of defendants, victims and witnesses involved in legal matters before the court.
• Statutes pertaining to bonding companies and the forfeiture of bonds for failure to appear violations.
• Statutes applicable to defendants involved in civil and criminal matters before the court and/or placed on probation, public service requirements, etc.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to the supervision of individuals placed on probation.
• Regulations governing the preparation and issuance of warrants for individuals suspected of criminal activity.
• The Tennessee Code Annotated, both Criminal and Motor Vehicle Laws and the Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 10 – Rules of Judicial Conduct.
• Laws and regulations governing the preparation and issuance of traffic arrest warrants.
• The County and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Administrative policies and procedures of the County.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Current office practices and procedures.
• Computer software consistent for this position.

Skill in:

• Analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Applying judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Diffusing difficult and/or potentially dangerous situations.

Ability to:

• Consistently adhere to all policies, procedures and protocols associated with General Sessions Court operations.
• Interact in a tactful and professional manner with defendants, witnesses, family members, law enforcement personnel, attorneys and the public.
• Perform data entry activities in a consistently accurate manner and account for all fees and fines received by the court.
• Prioritize job-related activities to ensure the efficient operation of the court and completion of all assignments in a timely and thorough manner.
• Respond quickly and effectively to inappropriate and/or violent behavior when required.
• Make timely and appropriate decisions regarding the sufficiency of evidence, determination of probable cause, etc.
• Perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Relate to clients in stressful or crisis situations.
• Think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.
• Maintain professionalism at all times.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within State and Federal statutes.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an office setting; and is mostly sedentary with periods of mobility and light physical activity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Level of responsibility subjects the incumbent to moderate stress due to interruptions.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS/ACTIVITIES:

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. Will spend a large amount of time viewing a computer screen.
• Vocal communication and normal hearing are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others via the phone, at meetings and to greet and assist visitors.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Use and normal maintenance of office machines, (copier, computer, printer, etc.).
• Frequent use of phone handset and repetitive use of hand & fingers to operate office equipment, use computer keyboard & computer mouse and to perform other office tasks.
• May require dealing with persons who are hostile, aggressive, abusive or violent, posing threatening conditions.
• Ability to recognize occupational hazards in work activities and take safety precautions.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and is not a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may also be assigned job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1966 (Section 1981) and 1964 (Title VI, VII,) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Equal Pay Act (EPA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).

Department: Judicial Commissioner

Pay Grade: 85, Non-Exempt

Starting hourly rate: $25.89

Minimum Experience: Three (3) years’ experience working in court operations and/or law enforcement; or any equivalent combination of education and experience to provide the required knowledge, abilities and skills.

Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Additional coursework and training in criminal justice, law enforcement, public administration or closely related field.

Certifications, Licenses:

• Certification as an appointed Judicial Commissioner every one year after evaluation by the General Session Judges.
• Must have dependable transportation.
• A pre-employment criminal background check is required.

The purpose of this position is to Serve as Judicial Commissioner in the adult criminal justice system of Montgomery County, Clarksville, Tennessee, and TCA Section 40-1-111 through 40-5-201.

GENERAL POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Confirms existence of probable cause, legal grounds, or sufficient evidence to issue arrest warrants.
• Holds probable cause hearings prior to the issuance of an arrest warrant to all law enforcement and citizens.
• Checks local history for any outstanding warrants on file; reviews local criminal and driving history and National Crime Investigation Center (NCIC) history prior to determining the amount of bail to be set on the defendant.
• Reviews, condenses, and enters into warrant pertinent information from police reports or from citizen’s fact statements for issuance of warrants.
• Informs arrestees of their constitutional rights and explains arraignment hearing date and procedures.
• Ensures that warrants are properly classified as either felony or misdemeanor.
• Issues temporary Ex Parte Orders of Protection, Violations of Orders of Protection and Conditions of Release as necessary; issues mittimus to temporarily detain arrested individuals.
• Issues search warrants, Fugitive from Justice Warrants and mittimus to hold suspects who are wanted for criminal charges out of state and in state county warrants. Issue search warrants for blood draw on DUI incidents.
• Enters all arrestees warrant information in the TRI TECH computer system and assigns/records warrant number to each arrest warrant completed.
• Notifies victims of domestic violence crimes of the date and time of the suspect/arrestee arrest and the time of release if bail is posted.
• Answers phone calls from citizens and officers; answers questions and gives direction/advice; directs calls to appropriate agencies when necessary.
• Attends State-mandated training at the Judicial Commissioner Conferences that are held four (4) times yearly in different locations across the state of Tennessee.
• Maintains electronic, paper filing, and record systems to provide easy access to records and information; provides retention of records as required by Department and County policies.
• Provides for consistent on-call coverage as required by law.
• Other duties as assigned.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no fiscal responsibilities.

COUNTY ORGANIZATION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represents the Department to other County departments, elected officials, outside agencies, customers, County residents and visitors.
• Provides quality customer service to individuals needing directions or assistance.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS:

Works under general supervision of the Judicial Commissioner Supervisor. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.