Job Description

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Job Hubs career section to apply for this position.

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values:

• Integrity

• Common Sense

• Innovation

• Accountability

Position Data:

Office Specialist I-J23-U00-HRegularNon-Exempt (eligible for overtime)Pay Range: $21.29 - $27.00 per hour (B21 Step 1-13) Non-Bargaining
Hiring Range: $21.29 - $22.60 (B21 Step 1-4) Non-Bargaining

Job Closing Date: April 9, 2026

There is one Office Specialist I opening in the Yakima County Superior Court Department. This position will perform various office administration functions including but not limited to: scheduling hearings and trials, preparing legal correspondence and limited research for the Court Administrator and judges, gathering data and preparing statistical case management reports, and performing other related work to support court administration. Position also performs Bailiff duties as needed and assists Pretrial Services as a backup for data entry and clerical duties. Provides zoom troubleshooting and assistance, as necessary. Other duties as assigned.

Benefits included in position:
-Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
-Retirement Benefits
-Paid Vacation
-Paid Holidays
-Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is a Non-Bargaining Unit Position

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities:

Essential Duties:

Schedules criminal, domestic, appeals, paternity hearings, bench and jury trials, summary judgments, trials de novo, etc., working closely with prosecuting attorneys and private law firms to set court dates and send notices to parties; reviews court documents for accuracy and enters information into statewide database, (Odyssey); retrieves and reviews court papers from document management system to review for information needed for calendaring and scheduling. Performs bailiff duties for jury trials.

Creates, summarizes, edits, and distributes a variety of legal technical documents such as Trial and Hearing Notices, Notices of Continuance, Notices of Failure to Comply with Local Court Rules, Affidavits, Orders of Pre-assignment, Recusals, Motions for Reconsideration, etc.

Monitors and provides suggestions to the Court Director and Administrative Supervisor on information included in reports. Maintains criminal case statistics, monitors outcomes and performance measures as decided upon by the Presiding Judge and Court Services Director.

Performs a variety of detailed statistical informational reports for Court Director and Presiding Judge. Prepares complex reports and monitors complicated and intricate cases.

Processes “strikes and confirmations” of trials and special settings; maintains Superior Court Judges’ schedules and prepares lists specific to court cases; assists with arbitration program.

Assist judges with typing of documents including legal correspondence, limited legal research, and preparation of jury instructions; provide clerical assistance to court director, judges and administrative supervisor as needed;

Assists the public and attorneys in person or by phone with scheduling and calendaring questions, coordinating of trial date changes, telephonic hearing requests, interpreter needs, and/or questions about court documents or procedures. Determines what information can be disseminated to the public and/or attorneys.

Assists with processing of mail, answering of public phone line, and routine office duties as needed and other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or G.E.D AND three (3) years of clerical / administrative assistant experience OR any combination of experience or training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Required:

• Successful completion of a keyboard test (typing speed/accuracy) with a minimum of 35 net wpm at the time of application.

• Valid WA State driver’s license and proof of insurance, if requested.

• Proficient use of Zoom

• Proficient use of MS Work, Outlook and Excel.

• Knowledge of legal terminology, laws, rules and regulations governing the courts.

• Roles and responsibilities of the judicial system.

• Successful completion of a comprehensive criminal background and general employment verification

Preferred:

• Work experience or knowledge of the legal system, in particular the role and function of Courts.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

• Court docketing and case management experience

• Clear and concise verbal and written skills.

• Experience with JIS/SCOMIS/Odyssey and BIT programs.

Equipment Used:

Computer, laptop, printer, copier, telephone, scanner, calculator, cell phone, fax, FTR playback equipment, assistive interpreter, and hearing devices for public users. Other standard office equipment.

Working Conditions:
This position is rated as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Environment: may be required to work at alternate work locations and outside of standard business hours for meetings, conference and / or trainings and may be exposed to potentially violent or hostile individuals.

Physical Demands: carrying, handling, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, hearing, talking, and visual acuity.

Intellectual Demands: ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction.

Knowledge:

• The legal system, in particular the role and function of Courts;

• Legal terminology and court rules;

• Computers and word processing software;

• Rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation used in professional settings;

• Research techniques;

• File maintenance techniques;

• Customer service techniques and team building concepts;

• Office practices and procedures; and,

• Data processing systems and methods for input.

Skills (and abilities):

• Multi-tasking in a high-pressured environment;

• Able to perform tasks with great accuracy and high attention to detail;

• Exceptional organization, prioritization, and time management skills;

• Communication of complex and/or sensitive information;

• Establishing effective working relationships with co-workers, other agencies, and the public;

• Working effectively with constant interruptions;

• Communicating and expressing ideas effectively, orally and in writing;

• Ability to maintain composure during stressful situations;

• Using office equipment, computers, and related software applications;

• Writing business correspondence, drafting documents, and preparing reports;

• Making responsible decisions in accordance with court policies and applicable legal authority;

• Maintaining the highest level of confidentiality; and,

• Ability to communicate and express ideas effectively both orally and in writing.

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”
Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.