Job Summary:

A Deputy Clerk at Fairfax GDC is assigned operational responsibilities in a high-volume, fast-paced office with frequent deadlines. These duties vary by department but include:

• Providing assistance to the public
• Checking filings for completeness and accuracy
• Preparing detailed court documents in accordance with established guidelines
• Entering data into an automated case management system
• Imaging case files
• Scheduling matters for court
• Preparing correspondence and legal documents
• Preparing dockets
• Accepting and receipting payments
• Assisting the judges in court 

These positions offer a competitive benefits package, which includes vacation and sick leave, 12 paid holidays, health insurance, retirement, life insurance, deferred compensation, and short- and long-term disability. 

The work is performed 100% on-site at the Fairfax County Courthouse Monday – Friday between 8:00AM – 4:30PM. There is no remote work offered with this position.

How to Apply:

Please apply by going to the Commonwealth of Virginia job site at General District Court Job Openings. Applicants must apply online; documents are not accepted via mail or email. Only interviewed applicants will be notified of the filling of the position. No phone calls or emails regarding application status.

Special Instructions:

All candidates are subject to a criminal history background check and reference checks before being offered employment. Please read each posting carefully for minimum qualifications and required documents.

The Virginia Judicial System is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.

The Fairfax County General District Court is a trial court with limited jurisdiction.  The court has six divisions: Civil/Small Claims, Criminal, Traffic, Payments, Court Operations and Administration.  The criminal and traffic divisions only adjudicate matters with adult defendants.  General district courts have exclusive authority to hear civil cases with claims of $4,500 or less and share authority with the circuit courts to hear cases with claims between $4,500 and $25,000, and up to $50,000 in civil cases for personal injury and wrongful death. The Civil Division has exclusive jurisdiction in small claims of $5,000 or less.  The Criminal Division decides all criminal offenses involving ordinances, laws, and by-laws of the county or city where it is located and all criminal misdemeanors under state law.  The Traffic Division hears traffic misdemeanor and infraction cases. 

The Fairfax County General District Court’s Internship Program offers an unparalleled in-house experience.  Interns will have direct exposure to the inner workings of a busy urban court.  They gain diverse, hands-on work experience and the chance to make direct contributions to the judicial process.  Opportunities are available each summer and in some instances during spring and fall semesters.

The interns gain experience through:

• Observing court proceedings.
• Gaining exposure to court processes.
• Training on case processing, scanning, and other clerical tasks and duties.
• Conducting research and drafting memorandums (as necessary).
• Presentations and/or shadowing other justice system stakeholders.

Other typical benefits of judicial internships include: 

• Work experience.
• Resume building.
• Networking and professional relationships.
• May be approved for school credit.

Qualifications needed:

• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently – seeking disciplined self-motivators.
• Ethical conduct – interns will have access to confidential and sensitive documents.
• High level of communication skills- both oral and written.
• Must pass a criminal background check.  

Application Submission Periods:

• Fall Semester Internships: April 5th – May 15th @ 4:00PM
• Spring Semester Internships: October 5th – October 25th @ 4:00PM
• Summer Internships: March 5th – March 25th @ 4:00PM

Materials Required for Consideration:

• Fairfax County General District Court Intern Application
• Law School transcript (Unofficial or official)
• Cover letter and resume (Optional)
• Legal writing sample- five page maximum (Optional)

Application Submission Procedure:

• Submit to: ATTN: Internship Application Coordinator
• Submission Address: GDCMail@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Subject Title: Internship, Cycle, Name

Law Student Internship Announcement

The Fairfax County General District Court is a trial court with limited jurisdiction.  The court has six divisions: Civil/Small Claims, Criminal, Traffic, Payments, Court Operations and Administration.  The criminal and traffic divisions only adjudicate matters with adult defendants.  General district courts have exclusive authority to hear civil cases with claims of $4,500 or less and share authority with the circuit courts to hear cases with claims between $4,500 and $25,000, and up to $50,000 in civil cases for personal injury and wrongful death. The Civil Division has exclusive jurisdiction in small claims of $5,000 or less.  The Criminal Division decides all criminal offenses involving ordinances, laws, and by-laws of the county or city where it is located and all criminal misdemeanors under state law.  The Traffic Division hears traffic misdemeanor and infraction cases. 

The Fairfax County General District Court’s Internship Program offers an unparalleled in-house experience.  Interns will have direct exposure to the innerworkings of a busy urban court.  They gain diverse, hands-on work experience and the chance to make direct contributions to the judicial process.

The interns gain experience through:

• Observing court proceedings
• Gaining exposure to court processes.
• Training on case processing, scanning and other clerical tasks and duties.
• Presentations and/or shadowing other justice system stakeholder.

Other typical benefits of judicial internships include:

• Work experience.
• Resume building.
• Networking and professional relationships.
• May be approved for course credit.

Qualifications needed:

• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently – seeking disciplined self-motivators.
• Ethical conduct – interns will have access to confidential and sensitive documents.
• High level of communication skills- both oral and written.
• Must pass a criminal background check.  

Application Submission Periods:

• Fall Semester Internships: April 5th – April 25th @ 4:00PM
• Spring Semester Internships: October 5th – October 25th @ 4:00PM
• Summer Internships: March 5th – March 25th @ 4:00PM

Materials Required for Consideration:

• Fairfax County General District Court Intern Application
• Most recent transcript (Official or unofficial)
• Cover letter and resume (Optional) 

Application Submission Procedure:

• Submit to: ATTN: Internship Application Coordinator
• Submission Address: GDCMail@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Subject Title: Internship, Cycle, Name

Undergraduate/Paralegal Studies Internship Announcement