Official Title: Assistant Clerk Magistrate - Northeast Housing Court

Pay Grade: Asst. Clerk

Starting Pay: $134,389.69

Salary Notes: Salary for this position is set by Statute.

Departmental Mission Statement:

The Housing Court’s mission is to adjudicate all matters presented by litigants within its jurisdiction regarding housing in a fair, efficient, and timely manner according to the rule of law and the facts presented. In accordance with this mission, the Housing Court, through its operating philosophy and business practices, strives to present a citizen-oriented process to maximize access to justice for all such litigants. All members of the Housing Court are committed to this mission and process to fulfill our role within the judicial branch.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/housing-court

Notes:

- This position is designated as a management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.
- This position is for current Trial Court employees only.
- Offices & Sessions include travelling to Lawrence, Salem, Lowell, Woburn as needed. The primary location for this position is Salem.

Position Summary: This position involves responsible legal work and supervisory responsibilities:

• The employees in this position assist the Clerk-Magistrate in performing magisterial
and administrative duties as set forth in state statutes and court rules.
• Magisterial responsibilities include determining probable cause for the issuance of
criminal complaints and search warrants, in court and out of court bail determinations, determinations of preliminary probation violation hearings, adjudicating small claims motions and trials and presiding over both civil and criminal motor vehicle hearings.
• Assistant clerk-magistrates also may decide certain non-dispositive motions in civil
and criminal cases,



enter defaults and default judgments and other civil process.
• Administrative responsibilities include the preparation and maintenance of all
court papers and records and performance of administrative tasks to ensure that
cases move rapidly and smoothly to a determination by the court.
• Supervision is exercised over support personnel within the Clerk-Magistrate's Office

Supervision Received: Work is performed under the direction of the Clerk-Magistrate or First Assistant Clerk-Magistrate.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

This position involves responsible legal work and supervisory responsibilities:

• The employees in this position assist the Clerk-Magistrate in performing magisterial
and administrative duties as set forth in state statutes and court rules.
• Magisterial responsibilities include determining probable cause for the issuance of
criminal complaints and search warrants, in court and out of court bail determinations, determinations of preliminary probation violation hearings, adjudicating small claims motions and trials and presiding over both civil and criminal motor vehicle hearings.
• Assistant clerk-magistrates also may decide certain non-dispositive motions in civil
and criminal cases, enter defaults and default judgments and other civil process.




• Administrative responsibilities include the preparation and maintenance of all court papers and records and performance of administrative tasks to ensure that cases move rapidly and smoothly to a determination by the court.
• Work is performed under the direction of the Clerk-Magistrate or First Assistant Clerk-Magistrate.
• Supervision is exercised over support personnel within the Clerk-Magistrate's
Office.

Job Competencies:

Thorough knowledge of state statutes, case law and court rules which prescribe the powers and duties of the Clerk-Magistrate and ability to interpret and apply them to the administrative procedures of the office.
• Thorough knowledge of court procedure, legal documents, laws, and legal factors
pertaining to the court.
• Thorough knowledge of the organization, functions, jurisdiction and authority of
the court.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer software such as MS Office, including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to maintain complex and accurate court records.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of others.
• Positive communication skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with court officials, attorneys, subordinate employees, government agencies and the general public.

Minimum Requirements: A Bachelor’s Degree; and knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through 6 or more years of relevant work experience in criminal justice, public administration or business administration including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of higher education and relevant experience equal to 10 years total;

OR

A law degree or a graduate degree in a relevant field (for example: criminal justice, public administration or business administration); and knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through 2 or more years of relevant work experience;

📌 Assistant Clerk Magistrate-Northeast Housing Court (Salem)
🏢 MTC
📍 Salem