Job Description

The salary for this position is: $4,446.00 - $5,914.00 monthly.

Thurston County Clerk’s Office is seeking a professional, motivated, and dependable candidate for the position of Judicial Proceedings Specialist to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for those with excellent customer service experience seeking to begin their career in the court system, work in a great environment, and receive excellent benefits. Serves as a technical legal and courtroom specialist for the County Clerk's Office by providing customer service, legal process support, courtroom administration, records management, and judicial proceedings support. Ensures the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of court records while maintaining permanent records of judicial proceedings. Reviews legal documents for compliance with statutes, court rules, and judicial orders; coordinates courtroom operations and jury trials; manages case processing from filing through appeal; and provides technical assistance to judicial officers, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, governmental organizations, and the public. Performs a variety of specialized legal and administrative duties in support of the judicial system.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide technical assistance and detailed information regarding court procedures, legal processes, statutory requirements, and case management.
• Explain legal procedures and filing requirements while ensuring compliance with applicable statutes and court rules.
• Verify, receipt, and process legal financial obligations, court fines, fees, bail, judgments, and penalty assessments and ensure all financial transactions comply with established court procedures.
• Coordinates jury trials: manages, identifies and marks exhibits, identifies and verifies juror presence, maintains jury panel and seating list, administers oath, prepares/maintains witness record, and distributes jury instructions. On-call duty for immediate notification of jury questions or verdict and notification of appropriate personnel.
• Interprets, summarizes and reports decisions of Judicial Officer maintaining accurate record of proceedings and trial court time. Monitors case disposition for compliance with court orders.
• 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.
• Manages complex system for clerk's dismissals, exhibit tracking, administrative law review cases (receipt and return) and dismissal and remand of lower court appeals. Prepares dismissal calendar and pleadings, notifies all parties and responds to inquiries.
• Analyzes and completes judicial process for notices of appeal and discretionary reviews to Court of Appeals/Supreme Court. Maintains system to ensure compliance with strict timelines. Prioritizes work accordingly to prevent liability to the County.

To view the full job classification, click here: Clerk’s Judicial Proceedings Specialist

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment - Work is performed primarily in an office environment with lifting required on occasion. A physical hazard may occur from agitated defendants awaiting or during trials or hearings.
• Schedule – Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workload demands may occasionally require work outside the assigned work hours.
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings.
• Customer Interactions - Daily interactions via in-person, phone, and video with Thurston County staff and the public.

WHO WE ARE:

The County Clerk has two departments: the Criminal and Civil Division and the Family, Juvenile and Probate/Guardianship Division. The Clerk’s office consists of the County Clerk, Chief Deputy Clerk, Managers and staff. The Clerk’s office is an integral part of the executive branch of government, in that it preserves for the public unfettered access to a fair, accurate, and independently established record of the opinions, decisions, and judgments of the court.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plansfor more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate of Arts degree in paralegal studies or other related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible office experience in a legal or court environment. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Ability to type 55 wpm and utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval and tracking.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Completion of an accredited Paralegal or Legal Assistant program.
• Experience supporting courtroom proceedings and jury trials.
• Knowledge of appellate court procedures.
• Passport Acceptance Agent certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Experience with statewide judicial information systems.
• Strong notetaking, shorthand, or speedwriting skills.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Edison M Herron, Chief Deputy Clerk, 360-709-3270 or 360-786-5743, Edison.herron@co.thurston.wa.us

This position is:

• Represented by a union
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Items requested for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of Interest

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.