Job Summary

This classification is the third in the Court Assistant family. This is highly responsible and varied legal process work in support of the Superior Court system of Clark County, which requires considerable knowledge of legal terminology, processes and procedures. Work requires a high degree of reliability, accuracy and speed and the ability to multitask. Incumbents are required to perform duties independently, with limited supervision and general guidance from the lead worker or manager. Incumbents do not normally supervise others, although incumbents with significant experience may train others when necessary or oversee a specific unit in the office. Incumbents may act in the capacity of a lead worker to other clerical employees, as a Facilitator, or in the position of an In-Court Clerk.

Our department values our community’s diversity and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public. Our department also encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

This position is represented by Local 11.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
 

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible general office work, with a minimum of one (1) year of experience directly related to working in the court system.

- OR -

• Two (2) years (ninety [90] hours) of post-secondary business, legal or office occupational​ training or education may be substituted for up to two years of required experience.

Knowledge of: case processing activity within the Court systems; procedures, documents and procedural law related to the conduct of legal practice in the Court Systems; legal and business correspondence, Court orders and jury activities; business English, grammar, punctuation, spelling and diction; office practices and procedures and modern office equipment; basic bookkeeping practices.

Ability to: operate commonly used office equipment and machines, , computers , scanners, copiers, calculators and; work effectively in a high pressure environment; understand and render clear explanations of legal procedures and policies; understand and execute complex written and oral instructions; apply extensive guidelines to a variety of work situations; maintain or supervise the keeping of records; exercise tact and judgment when providing assistance; compose legal correspondence; compile periodic reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and general public and employees of other departments and agencies.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Employees assigned typing or data entry duties must possess the ability to type at a speed of 55+ words per minute.

Selection Process:

Application materials must include a resume and cover letter.  Additional skills testing may also be required for this position.  

Resumes and other documents must be attached together in the 'Resume Upload' section of the application.  Multiple files are allowed, but all applicant attachments must be uploaded simultaneously, as there is no way to edit or append uploaded materials after submitting the application.

Application Review (Pass/ Fail) - An online application is required.  Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Cover Letter (Pass/Fail) – In addition to the Clark County application, applicants must submit a cover letter . Document must be added to the Documents section of My Application. Please include the Recruitment Number in the file name (i.e., Cover LetterXXXXXX.doc). Applications that do not include a Cover Letter will not be considered.

Practical Exam (Pass/Fail) - This recruitment may require a practical exam which will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Oral Interview - The interview will be job related and may include, not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Top candidate(s) will continue in the process.

Employment references will be conducted for the final candidates and may include verification of education.

Examples of Duties

Key or Typical Tasks And Responsibilities

• Prepares monthly remittance of money collected with accompanying journal of transaction; balances bank statements and maintains checkbook records for Court bank accounts; pursues collection of dishonored checks; initiates procedures for collecting bond when necessary.

• Responds to correspondence; compiles reports and statistical data; takes and transcribes legal dictation.

• Institutes changes within division or area to accommodate new policies, laws or procedures; maintains payroll and personnel records within areas of responsibility; maintains inventory control process.

• Coordinates various activities of office personnel and jurors; assigns work and establishes work schedules for Legal Process Assistants and other clerical employees.

• Assists in budget preparation.

• Performs lead functions and assists the supervisor in the planning of work and setting of daily priorities; assists in selection, training and performance evaluation of assigned employees; may recommend disciplinary action.

COURTHOUSE FACILITATOR

Key or Typical Tasks And Responsibilities

• Provides technical assistance to pro se litigants to determine legal direction and determines what steps are needed to complete their case.

• Prepares instruction forms for form packets for the various types of actions.

• Reviews medical and financial documentation to calculate child support responsibility for the litigant.

• Provides referral information of other agencies and social service programs for assistance.

• Input and record case pleadings, hearings and disposition information into a statewide database.

• Assists in the training of other assigned clerical staff

COURT ASSISTANT III -  IN-COURT UNIT  

Key or Typical Tasks And Responsibilities

• Responds to correspondence; compiles reports and statistical data

• Institutes changes within division or area to accommodate new policies, laws or procedures; maintains inventory control process. 

• Reviews petitions, applications, affidavits, oaths and court orders prior to issuance of writs, subpoenas, letters testamentary and arrest warrants, verifying the accuracy and completeness of legal documents.  Identifies inconsistency with statutes and provides technical information for compliance.  May restrict access as ordered by the court or mandated by statute.  Issues warrants, summons, subpoenas, notices and hearing, writs of garnishments, restriction and habeas corpus, criminal commitments, attachments and other legal documents ordered by the court.

•  Attends court and makes accurate minutes of proceedings; administers oaths; identifies and verifies juror presence, maintains jury panel and seating list; receives and records all legal documents, exhibits and depositions filed in open court; obtains signatures of attorneys on pertinent documents before submission to the judge/commissioner; enters, retrieves and updates information on the statewide database relating to individual cases and calendars; performs follow-up work as required.

• Complies with and maintains confidential records and/or information as directed by state law.

• Maintains and controls all documents, files, exhibits and depositions received and used during a trial; identifies, numbers, files and maintains security of exhibits delivered to the courtroom including high risk and contaminated exhibits such as drugs, exhibits containing bio-hazardous materials; complies with and maintains confidential records and/or information as directed by state law.

• Acts as liaison between the Clerk’s Office and Judge/Commissioner in relaying technical information regarding case assignments, case dispositions, continuances and/or stricken matters and status of cases and court procedures; advises and maintains contact with prosecutors, attorneys and law enforcement personnel concerning case status.

• Assists the general public, attorneys and judges in person or on the phone by providing information, explaining procedures and schedules; locates information from Superior Court records and provides it to the public while maintaining security and confidentiality when necessary; evaluates and defuses sensitive and/or potentially volatile people and situations and reacts appropriately including contacting security when necessary.

• Prepares and distributes legal forms, orders, warrants, and updates the court’s database system with information such as hearings held, dispositions, sentence conditions, warrants, no contact orders, domestic violence orders, antiharassment orders, name changes, and civil judgments.

• Prepares court calendars (dockets) for civil, criminal, probate, domestic relations, and other cases; schedules mitigation and pretrial hearings; prepares case files for court sessions ensuring appropriate documentation sets and coordinates jury trials, contacting appropriate persons and initiating related correspondence.

• May perform lead functions and assist management in the planning of work and setting of daily priorities; assists in training.

• Operates standard office equipment.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Salary Grade

Local 11.7

Salary Range

$28.12 - $37.96- per hour

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Recruiter

Leslie Harrington Smith

Email:

[email protected]

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Employee Benefits and additional compensation

Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation.  Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation.  More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Retirement Information

All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice. 
 

For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/

If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.