Employment

This position is Unionized through United Steelworkers 286. The salary grade is W08.

This position is in the Discovery Court Program of the Court of Common Pleas, Trial Division – Civil.  

Application Instructions

To be considered for employment at FJD, candidates must submit a completed employment application on our website at https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/cyberweb and click on Apply Now button  to create an account or to log into their existing account.

A completed application must be submitted by 11:59 PM on 11/07/2026.

About FJD

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania is the Philadelphia County Court System composed of two courts: the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court. Our mission is to adjudicate cases and provide services to the community within our jurisdiction while ensuring fair, timely, and accessible justice to the people of Philadelphia.

Benefits Summary

Full-time employees of the FJD are eligible for the following benefits:

• FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.

• 8-weeks of Paid parental leave

• Generous paid time off: 10 days’ vacation, 15 sicks days, 5 annual (paid personal) leave days, 12 paid holidays.

• Comprehensive and affordable health coverage to meet you and your family’s needs.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness forgives the remaining balance on your federal Direct Loans after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for an eligible employers such as the FJD.

• Pension through Philadelphia Municipal Employees Retirement Plan

• 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Plan is tax-advantage retirement plan to accelerate your retirement savings by putting money aside pretax into investment portfolios. This is separate from your pension.

• Tuition Discounts and Scholarships: FJD participates in the City of Philadelphia’s Return to Learning Partnership Program to provide access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Discounts range between 10% to 40%.

About Department

The Civil Section has jurisdiction over actions at law and equity along with appeals from Municipal Court and certain administrative agencies and boards. The Trial Division Civil Section has jurisdiction over civil claims involving amounts in excess of $10,000. The variety of civil actions that may be brought in the Trial Division Civil Section includes Negligence, Contract and Equity Action.

The Discovery Court Program operates in accordance with the Alternative Motion Procedures set forth in Philadelphia Rule of Civil Procedure *208.3. Depending on the particular civil program, discovery motions are scheduled for a hearing before a Judicial Team Leader, Coordinating Judge, or Commerce Judge. A day and time has been reserved for the resolution of discovery motions in each program.

Position Summary

Provides administrative and clerical support to the Trial Division - Civil Discovery Court Program. This is entry level clerical legal work. It differs from the nonlegal clerical classes by the constant work with legal documents and the degree of consequence of error and accountability involving the abstraction of pertinent information from legal documents in summary form to a docket which may serve as a basis for possible legal activity by counsel and the judiciary. Work is performed according to clearly defined rules and procedures, under direct supervision, in a training mode.

Requirements

1. High school diploma or equivalent AND one to two years of progressively responsible clerical experience processing legal instruments and documents.

           OR

2. Equivalent combinations of training and experience providing the characteristics required to perform the essential functions of the class may substitute for those listed.

3. Successful completion of a criminal background investigation

4. Ability to perform the essential functions of a position in this class.

5. Must work on site (not remote).

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Responsible for the review and acceptance of electronic filings submitted to the Discovery Court Program.
• Responsible for the docketing, scanning, and electronic mailing of court orders for the Discovery Court Program.
• Assures that motions, petitions, and other legal documents are accepted, processed, and docketed in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Provides administrative, docketing, and clerical support as required.
• Resolves procedural problems; informs attorneys, court officials, and the public on procedures, rules, and Electronic Filing System processes pertinent to the area of responsibility.
• Provides exceptional customer service.
• Processes, reviews, and distributes mail

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

• Accepts, reviews, processes, dockets and/or indexes legal documents and other related data entry.
• General office duties associated with the Trial Division – Civil.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Standard clerical office conditions.
• Direct contact with diverse court clientele

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

•  Ability to receive and process electronically filed documents.
•  Knowledge of the Rules of Civil Procedure.
•  Knowledge of docketing, indexing, and other record keeping and data entry processes.
•  Knowledge of legal scope of civil dockets.
•  Knowledge of Windows applications.
•  Knowledge of Banner (Civil Case Management System).
•  Knowledge of the FJD’s Electronic Filing System and processes.
•  Ability to provide exceptional customer service.
•  Ability to provide information clearly and concisely.
•  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, supervisors, and the public.
•  Ability to project a positive and professional image to the Bar and public.

 ADA Notice

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the First Judicial District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.