Human Resources

Job Location

County of Chelan District Court 350 Orondo Ave Wenatchee, WA 98801

Description

Salary: PW07 Steps 2-4 $4,296.00 - $4,692.74 DOE Longevity Steps 5-8 $4,906.12- $5,612.41 

The position includes a state retirement system, with a deferred comp program available. Health insurance package includes Medical, Dental, and county contributions to a personal health savings account. Includes 11 paid holidays and 1 floating personal holidays along with monthly accrued vacation and sick leave. 

SUMMARY

The Legal Clerk has responsibility for performing a wide variety of highly technical operations requiring specialized clerical knowledge.  The employee is knowledgeable about all clerical activities associated with case processing in their respective area.  The duties require unusual technical expertise in those aspects of court operations in which consequences of a clerical error would be significant.  The individual possesses the skills and technical expertise to provide assistance to the judicial staff as well as the public by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  (This listing may not include all of the duties or tasks which may be required by this position.)

• Responding to multi-line telephone and counter inquiries; sorting and routing documents and correspondence.  May respond to or initiate correspondence related to the department.
• Analyze and accurately enter complex, technical data into computer applications, update, retrieve, and process case data in a timely manner. 
• Prepare documents for scanning, verify and validate documents for necessary information, accuracy and completeness; index documents and ensure retrieval in electronic format.  Maintain confidential documents as required by statute, court rule and/or the court.
• Receive payment of court fines, bail, penalty assessments, and fees; recording and receipting payments according to established court procedures.  Work may involve responsibility for receipting and disbursing and accounting for large amounts of money.
• Arranging for time payments of fines, monitors payments and takes appropriate action for delinquent payments in accordance with court policy.
• Processing commitments, releases and referrals; contacting appropriate agencies (law enforcement, probation, custodial facilities, mental health and alcohol treatment centers, etc).
• Monitors case dispositions for compliance with court orders.  Prepare various notices and documents for court review and signature.
• Issue and process bench warrants and subpoenas.  Prepare and issue various notices, documents and correspondence on a case by case basis.
• Prepare daily and weekly court calendars for criminal, traffic infractions, civil and small claims cases; prepare cases for court sessions and insure appropriate documentation is scanned timely.
• Examine legal documents submitted to court for adherence to law or court procedures, preparing cases, and posting, filing, or routing documents.
• Scheduling and coordination of court hearings, non-jury trials, and jury trials.  Securing information for judges, and contacting witnesses, attorneys, and litigants to obtain information for court, and issuing notice to all parties as when to appear in court.  Procuring sufficient jurors or interpreters when necessary.
• Knowledgeable in the use of courtroom recording equipment, certification thereof and transcripts of all proceedings for appeals to superior court.
• Staffing courtroom during sessions, recording all proceedings, maintaining recording logs, marking exhibits, and recording case disposition and processing orders of the court.  Responsible for all computer functions and interaction with counsel, law enforcement, the public and court observers.
• Keeping accurate and complete records by making required docket entries on the case management computer system, preparing issuance of orders for commitment and release, warrants, subpoenas, summonses, and other legal documents as ordered by the court.
• Explaining procedures or forms to parties in cases for conformity; determine proper course of action for assistance.  Assist the public by providing routine information or answers as they relate to the business of the court.
• Perform other office duties as required by RCW, court rules and office policies or direction of the supervisor.
• All duties are subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Considerable knowledge of office practices; thorough knowledge of work related codes, laws, and legal terminology; ability to plan effectively; ability to work effectively in a high pressure environment; ability to make significant decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and court policies and procedures; ability to express ideas concisely, orally and in writing, and to establish effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials and the general public.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and at least two years of progressively responsible experience in a court or legal setting or any combination of education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, abilities, and skills.  Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer with good typing speed and accuracy (45 words per minute net), and knowledge of general office procedures. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as court orders, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.  Fluent bi-lingual English/Spanish ability will be given consideration, but is not a requirement.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Daily attendance is critical and essential.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee has daily direct contact with people who may exhibit hostile behaviors, such as profanity, verbal abuse, and angry outbursts.  The environment is often hectic and stressful.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.