Staff Attorney-Judge Cluff

Twin-Falls-County; Idaho; On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Twin Falls County in Idaho seeks a judicial law clerk to begin a 12-month term in August 2027, with potential extension. The clerk will assist the judge, conduct research, draft opinions and orders, and support courtroom proceedings while maintaining confidentiality and meeting deadlines.

The role requires superb writing skills, strong organizational and time management abilities, and the ability to work independently in a team-based environment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university.
• Law review, moot court or comparable legal employment experience is beneficial.
• Must successfully pass background investigation relevant to the position and remain in good standing for the duration of employment with the County.

Responsibilities

• Assists the judge in applying the law to cases and motions before the court.
• Performs research of legal issues.
• Drafts memos, opinions, jury instructions and orders for the judge.
• Helps troubleshoot technical difficulties in the courtroom.
• Responds to judges', court employees', Commissioners', elected officials', other County employees' and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Meets deadlines, and sets project priorities.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate co-workers to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Maintains strict confidentiality in all cases.
• Assists other department and County employees as needed or requested.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.

Skills

Writing skills

Oral communication

Time management

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Westlaw

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Benefits: This position is eligible for a benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance, PERSI retirement, paid holidays, plus paid vacation, sick, and personal leave days. If selected, you will receive more information about these benefit options and enrollment information through our onboarding process and during your first week on the job.

Position starts August 2027.

The position will remain open until filled, but priority will be given to applications received by September 25, 2026.

The Honorable Benjamin J. Cluff, District Judge of the 5th Judicial District, Twin Falls County, Idaho, seeks a judicial law clerk to begin sometime in August 2027, for a 12-month term, which may be extended if both the judge and the clerk agree.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and will be screened for completeness and qualifications. Only some of the most qualified applicants will be contacted and selected for a personal interview. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

Law clerks work with the judge on civil and criminal cases filed in the District Court for Twin Falls County, Idaho. Law clerks conduct research, draft opinions, orders, judgments, and memoranda; assist in courtroom proceedings; and work on any other projects assigned by the judge. A successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, possess good judgment and discretion; be dependable, responsible and maintain confidentiality; be a proactive self-starter and demonstrate initiative in problem solving; be able to work quickly and harmoniously with others in a team‑based environment; and present a poised, professional appearance and demeanor at all times. This position requires superb writing skills, along with organizational, people and time management skills. A successful candidate must be able to juggle many changing priorities and demands at the same time. Westlaw legal research proficiency and word processing ability are essential.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists the judge in applying the law to cases and motions before the court;
• Performs research of legal issues;
• Drafts memos, opinions, jury instructions and orders for the judge;
• Helps troubleshoot technical difficulties in the courtroom;
• Responds to judges', court employees', Commissioners', elected officials', other County employees' and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Meets deadlines, and sets project priorities;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate co-workers to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Maintains strict confidentiality in all cases;
• Assists other department and County employees as needed or requested;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other duties as assigned.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Research and identify essential information pertinent to a case or a judge's request;
• Analyzing and applying the law to specific facts;
• Prepare legal documents;
• Speak clearly and communicate accurate information to others;
• Use English to communicate effectively with others;
• Proficiently operate computers, software programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, or similar office software to create documents and other materials, maintain information, and generate reports;
• Listen carefully to, understand, and effectively communicate through oral, written, and interpersonal communication channels;
• Follow verbal and written instructions;
• Work independently and exercise initiative, with general guidance and supervision;
• Use good judgment to make sound and reasonable decisions and problem‑solving skills to respond to customer service needs in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established policies;
• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times;
• Maintain confidentiality;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time‑sensitive deadlines;
• Demonstrate integrity and ingenuity in the performance of assigned tasks and solving problems;
• Perform all duties in accordance with County policies and procedures with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university;
• Law review, moot court or comparable legal employment experience is beneficial;
• Must successfully pass background investigation relevant to the position and remain in good standing for the duration of employment with the County.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to keyboard or type, handle materials , or manipulate tools used in performing the essential functions of the classification, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must (occasionally or frequently) lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and, infrequently, up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this classification include close vision, distance vision, color vision peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities required by this classification includes those which permit the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and by telephone. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee works in an office setting where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.