Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jury Coordinator Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Jury Coordinator Assistant is a vital administrative professional who serves as the backbone of the court's jury services department. This role is the first point of contact for citizens called to jury duty, providing essential information, support, and guidance with empathy and professionalism. The Assistant works closely with the Jury Coordinator to ensure the seamless, efficient, and lawful administration of the entire jury selection and management process, from initial summons to final payment. Success in this position hinges on meticulous attention to detail, exceptional communication skills, and an unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity of the judicial process.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Administrative Assistant
Legal Secretary or Assistant
Customer Service Representative (Government/Public Sector)
Records Clerk

Advancement To:

Jury Coordinator
Court Clerk Supervisor
Case Manager
Court Operations Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Court Clerk
Judicial Administrative Assistant
Paralegal

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assisting in the creation and maintenance of the master jury wheel and qualified juror lists using specialized jury management software and data from state agencies.
Processing and responding to a high volume of juror summonses, questionnaires, and correspondence received via mail, email, and a public-facing web portal.
Carefully evaluating and processing citizen requests for juror excusals, postponements, and disqualifications in strict accordance with statutory requirements and established court policies.
Serving as the primary, front-line point of contact for prospective jurors, professionally and patiently answering a wide range of inquiries regarding jury service, scheduling, and logistical details.
Preparing, verifying, and managing the bulk mailing of juror summonses, confirmation notices, failure-to-appear warnings, and other official court communications.
Facilitating the check-in and orientation process for jurors on their first day of service, ensuring a welcoming, organized, and reassuring environment for a diverse public group.
Providing clear instructions and guidance to jurors during the voir dire (jury selection) process inside the courtroom, often in coordination with judges and attorneys.
Maintaining precise, confidential, and up-to-date records of individual juror attendance, service history, and payment status within the jury management system.
Coordinating essential juror logistics, including arranging parking validation, meal provisions for deliberating juries, and securing necessary accommodations for jurors with disabilities.
Preparing, auditing, and certifying juror payroll, accurately calculating mileage and per diem payments for submission to the court's finance or county auditor's office.
Operating courtroom technology, including audio-visual systems, microphones, and evidence presentation tools to support the jury selection and trial process.
Proactively responding to juror needs and concerns throughout their service, acting as a critical liaison between the jury, court personnel, and the judiciary.
Assisting the Jury Coordinator with the automated random selection and assignment of jury panels for upcoming civil and criminal trials.
Preparing and assembling physical and digital juror notebooks, copies of exhibits, and other materials required for jurors during trial.
Ensuring the absolute security, confidentiality, and integrity of all juror-related personal information, records, and communications.
Diligently verifying and updating juror demographic information in the system, correcting data entry errors to maintain a clean and accurate database.
Preparing the jury assembly room and assigned courtrooms for jury selection, ensuring all materials, forms, and equipment are in place and operational.

Secondary Functions

Performing general office duties, including complex filing, scanning of legal documents, and managing the inventory of office supplies for the jury services department.
Generating basic statistical reports on juror utilization, yield rates, and demographic compositions for review by court administration.
Assisting with content updates and maintenance of the jury services section on the court's public website to ensure information is current and accurate.
Collaborating effectively with other court departments, including the Clerk of Court's office, judicial staff, and court security, to ensure seamless trial operations.
Participating in departmental cross-training initiatives to provide knowledgeable backup support for other administrative functions within the court as required.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with specialized Jury Management Software (e.g., JURY+, JIS, or custom court systems).
Advanced data entry skills with a proven high degree of speed and accuracy.
High competency in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook for communication and reporting.
Experience operating multi-line phone systems and applying professional phone etiquette in a high-call-volume environment.
Familiarity with operating standard office equipment, including industrial scanners, copiers, and postage meters.
A foundational understanding of court procedures, legal terminology, and the structure of the justice system.

Soft Skills

Exceptional interpersonal and public-facing communication skills for clearly and compassionately interacting with the general public, judges, and attorneys.
Strong de-escalation and conflict resolution abilities to calmly handle interactions with anxious, frustrated, or upset citizens.
A high level of personal discretion and the proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost integrity.
Superior organizational and time-management skills, with the capacity to juggle multiple competing tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
Meticulous attention to detail, especially in record-keeping, data verification, and official correspondence.
Demonstrable empathy, patience, and a genuine commitment to public service and ensuring a positive civic experience.
Resourceful problem-solving skills to independently address and resolve common juror issues and inquiries.
Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a small, interdependent team.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Criminal Justice
Public Administration
Business Administration
Paralegal Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-4 years of experience in a high-volume administrative, public-facing customer service, or legal support role.

Preferred:

Previous experience working directly within a court system, government agency, or law office is highly desirable and strongly preferred.