Clerk's Judicial Support Specialist

County of Thurston; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Union represented

Benefits eligible

Job summary

County of Thurston is seeking a dedicated Clerk's Judicial Support Specialist to support clerical and legal processes within the Clerk's Office. The role involves handling detailed records, restricting access to sensitive documents, and providing dependable customer service in a fast-paced court environment.

Responsibilities include reviewing documents for compliance, maintaining statewide indexing systems, taking minutes, and assisting with judicial proceedings.

Qualifications

• Degree in paralegal studies or related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible office experience in a court or legal environment; substitutions allowed on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to type 65 wpm and use PC software for word processing, information retrieval and tracking.
• Washington State Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a customer service representative by providing technical assistance on detailed legal processes.
• Review legal documents for completeness and compliance with statutory requirements; approve for filing or request more information.
• Create and maintain records in statewide indexing and person database systems; restrict access as ordered by the court.

Skills

Typing 65 wpm

Customer service

Technical assistance (legal processes)

Education

Associated Arts Degree in paralegal studies or related field

Job description

The Thurston County Clerk's Office is seeking a professional and dependable individual to fill our open Clerk's Judicial Support Specialist position. This is a great opportunity for those with some legal experience looking to further their career in the court system. Come work with a great team in a faced paced environment with great benefits.

Serves as a customer service representative for the Clerk's Office by providing technical assistance on detailed legal processes, and researches questions and complaints.Reviews legal documents to ensure compliance with case management standards, statutory requirements and court orders.Creates and maintains records on statewide indexing/person database system and restricts access to legal documents as ordered by the court.Attends and accurately reports decisions (via written minutes and tape recordings) of judicial officers at court proceedings.Serves as an agent for the Federal Passport Agency.

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

• Services as a customer service representative by providing technical assistance on detailed legal processes.Primary customer contact will be via telecommunication systems.
• Performs technical review of court documents for completeness and compliance with statutory requirements and approves documents for filing or requests additional information from parties.May restrict access to court records as ordered by the court or mandated by statute.
• 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 to customer for compliance.
• Analyzes legal documents to restrict access as ordered by the court or mandated by statute and applies high integrity to the processing of these records.Identifies and provides information to appropriate state, local and federal agencies under strict statutory timelines and guidelines.Analyzes and extracts data from state systems using extreme caution with respect to confidential data.
• Compiles and applies appropriate coding of information for all cases and documents into statewide case indexing and person database systems.Identifies and prepares information for entry of monetary judgments into statewide indexing system. Interprets and applies RCW's, court rules and procedures before entering judgments.
• Attends and keeps the Clerk's record (written minutes and/or tape recordings), involving extremely confidential cases, at specialized judicial proceedings held at a secure facility.Summarizes court proceeding and judgments for official public records. May attend preliminary hearings when requested.
• Notifies Auditor, Department of Corrections, State Patrol, Department of Licensing and other agencies of felony convictions.Documents and enters dispositions of criminal and offender cases for transfer to appropriate agency.
• Prepares/creates document image on sophisticated imaging system and specialized equipment, validating essential information and ensuring integrity of record.
• Performs legal research and explains technical and detailed statutory requirements and procedures to attorneys, pro tem judges, law enforcement and the public seeking assistance to ensure judicial compliance.
• Verifies and receipts legal financial obligations, bail, judgments, court fines and fees ensuring monies are recorded per established court procedures.
• Expedites documents for court hearings and ensures review by judicial officer, following established procedures/guidelines.Determines process for coordination of emergency orders needing presentation before the court.
• Serves as an agent for the Federal Passport Agency.Assists in completing forms and clarifies related procedures/regulations using established requirements.Administers Oath and identifies possible fraud in passport applications.
• Certifies and exemplifies court documents as authorized by the County Clerk.
• Assumes duties of Clerk's Judicial Proceedings Specialist, as required.
• Performs the duties of Clerk's Judicial Information Specialist in his/her absence or as needed.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily in an office environment and courtroom. A physical hazard may occur from agitated members of the public and dangerous or hazardous exhibits.

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

Qualifications

• Associated Arts Degree in paralegal studies or other related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible office experience in a court or legal environment.Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Ability to type 65 wpm and utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval and tracking.
• Washington State Driver's License.

Desired Skills

• Completion of an accredited legal assistant or paralegal program.

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Contingent upon passing a background check

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 [phone]. 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.