Accomplished

Enhanced Website Accessibility:

Ensured the website was accessible in almost 100 languages, promoting inclusivity and reaching a diverse community.

E-Filing:

Timely implementation of E-Filing software and systems for court documents in accordance with a 2009-issued mandate by the Supreme Court of the State of Florida within 3 months of taking office.

E-Verify:

Implemented E-Verify system, allowing defendants and interested parties to stay informed about court events via text, email, or both.

Extended the system's benefits to serve a broader audience beyond defendants, providing a valuable resource for anyone wishing to be notified of case events.

Advanced Jury Payment System:

Implemented a jury payment system, improving the efficiency of processing juror checks.

On-Line Payment Options:

Enabled citizens to make payments conveniently through the website and community payment partners such as MyFloridaCounty, Amscot, and nCourt.

Established 24/7 payment support, enhancing accessibility and convenience for citizens.

Criminal Collection & Compliance Program:

Initiated a "best practice collection and compliance program" for all criminal cases, making the Osceola County Clerk's office a pilot county among the 67 Clerk’s offices

Established payment plans service to assist Osceola County residents in meeting financial obligations, supporting the collection of outstanding monies due to the County.

Queue Service System:

Successfully integrated Civil and Criminal division services into a unified queue system, ensuring accurate customer routing, real-time updates on their queue status and significantly reducing wait times for in-person and phone interactions.

Fast Pass System:

Implemented Fast Pass service allowing constituents to schedule online appointments for in-person visits, significantly reducing wait times while simultaneously allowing individuals facing time constraints to swiftly and efficiently fulfill their obligations.

Attorney Window and Safety Measures:

Implemented an attorney window to minimize wait times for attorneys filing court documents for clients.

Installed safety glass and a speaker system on frontline workstations to enhance audibility and security, prioritizing employee safety.

Kiosk Help Desk:

Created a Kiosk help desk for marriage & passport services, traffic tickets and child support payments, expediting processing times and decreasing courthouse traffic.

Pro Se Legal Services Clinic:

Instituted a Pro Se Legal Services Clinic for indigent members of the community who cannot afford legal counsel.

Provided legal assistance at NO COST, educating indigent pro se litigants on court procedures to ensure significant access to the civil justice system.

Fraud Alert:

Led the implementation of a mortgage fraud alert system aimed at safeguarding residents against illegal foreclosures and unauthorized property filings.

Comprehensive Compensation Strategies:

Instituted annual salary increases for all employees, demonstrating a commitment to recognizing and rewarding their contributions.

Implemented a yearly Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) payment for all Clerk staff, ensuring that employees' salaries kept pace with the cost of living.

Employee Advancement and Recognition:

Established robust employee advancement training programs to foster professional growth and development within the organization.

Instituted recognition programs to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of staff members, boosting morale and motivation.

Salary Budget Management:

Skillfully managed annual budget cuts, minimizing workforce reductions and staff furloughs while maintaining operational efficiency.

Improved Healthcare Coverage & Wellness Program:

Negotiated employee healthcare coverage, achieving increased coverage and lowered costs, contributing to the overall well-being of the staff.

Introduced a Wellness Program to incentivize and reward employees for participating in daily exercise and adopting healthy habits, promoting a culture of well-being.

Leave Donation Program:

Pioneered a leave donation program, enabling employees to support their colleagues facing health challenges by donating PTO time, showcasing a compassionate approach to employee support.

Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement:

Increase diversity within the organization, ensuring that the workforce reflects the demographics of Osceola County.

Fostered an inclusive work environment, promoting diversity and equality at all levels of the organization.

Special Projects Team Creation:

Formed a dedicated special projects team to facilitate the smooth implementation of new and state-mandated training for all employees, ensuring that the organization stayed current and compliant.

Organized employee participation activities and events to boost morale and foster a sense of community within the Clerk's office.

Advocated for the Clerk's office in the community by providing vital information about the services offered and enhancing public awareness.

Valentine's Day Wedding Ceremony:

Created The Clerk’s Annual Valentine's Wedding event for eight years at the Osceola County Historic Courthouse. Service was provided in both English and Spanish marriage for the first 40 couples who pre-register for the event.

Reception with wedding cake is provided to couples and a photo gallery is available for digital download on the Clerk’s website for a period of 90 days following the event.

Turkey Giveaway:

Assisted previous Clerk in providing over 500+ turkeys annually for eight years through a network of local churches and nonprofit organizations to families who otherwise would not be able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with loved ones.

Operation Green Light:

Participated in a state-wide initiative to allow citizens a day to come in and pay court/traffic fees/fines without the additional collection agency fees and on-the-spot license reinstatement.

Safe Surrender Day:

Participated in Safe Surrender Day which enabled non-violent citizens with warrants to surrender themselves safely, get their warrants cleared, and allow them reduced fines, reduced probation requirements, and/or new court dates.

Outreach Events:

Engaged in numerous community events to raise awareness of the office’s services and increase functionality.

Participates in non-profit fundraising events, including Relay For Life, March of Dimes, Make a Wish Foundation and other organizations.

Perfect Audits and Fiscal Integrity:

Successfully achieved perfect audits with no finding annually in the Finance & IT departments and Evidence Vault.

Demonstrated impeccable financial responsibility, ensuring no mismanagement or misappropriation of Clerk funds.

Implemented robust technological and security protocols in the IT department, exceeding industry standards.

Preserved the sanctity of evidence in the Evidence Vault, upholding full disclosure, transparency, and responsibility in the Clerk's office.

Financial Transparency and Oversight:

Established a precedent for transparency by providing annual financial reports on the Clerk's website.

Proactively addressed and resolved substantial financial oversights, recovering over 1 million dollars in misappropriated funds from a previous administration.

Implemented rigorous financial controls to prevent future financial discrepancies, ensuring the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Comptroller Transition:

Successfully led the transition of duties of the Comptroller, including Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, Auditor, Recorder, and Custodian of ALL COUNTY FUNDS, to the Clerk's office.

Ensured the continuity of checks and balances by maintaining an independently elected Clerk of Courts & Comptroller, holding the County and Board of County Commissioners accountable for all county spending.

Revamped Security in Evidence and Cash Vaults:

Implemented a state-of-the-art video monitoring system in the Osceola County Courthouse evidence vault, enhancing security and accountability.

Upgraded cash vaults within the Clerk's office to fortify security measures, ensuring the safety of both employees and public funds.

Server Room Overhaul and Network Security:

Conducted a thorough overhaul of the server room, meticulously mapping and documenting the network for enhanced security.

Segregated and secured network equipment, restricting access to only the Clerk of the Court-approved employees.

Installed a new firewall and implemented an intrusion prevention system configured to address specific events that require immediate attention.

Developed and implemented procedures to support vulnerability scanning processes and cyber vulnerability management.

Off-Site Data Backup and Cloud Operations:

Secured court and official records by establishing off-site data backup, allowing seamless operations in a cloud environment in the event of a disaster rendering courthouse facilities unusable.

Ensured data continuity and accessibility, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to disaster recovery.

Future-Proofing:

Pioneered the rewiring of the entire Clerk's office with fiber optic cable ahead of the availability of high-speed internet in Osceola County.

Anticipated the need for advanced technological resources streamlining the implementation of services for the current and future administration to leverage high-speed internet for efficient and improved access to essential services.

Implemented Remote Work Solutions:

Spearheaded the swift implementation of remote work protocols for employees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ensured seamless continuity of operations while prioritizing the health and safety of staff during challenging times.

Preserved Jobs Through Innovative Measures:

Voluntarily took a 30% pay cut to alleviate financial pressures on the organization and ensure job stability for employees.

Innovative and Strategic Planning Recognized:

Garnered recognition for the innovative and strategic approach to addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19 within the Osceola County Clerk of Court's office.

Served as a trailblazer, with other local agencies adopting Jennifer's COVID-19 protocol due to its proven effectiveness in overcoming obstacles and maintaining operational efficiency.