Tribal Court - Clerk Level I

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Provides clerical support and records management for the operation of the Tribal Court, and support services for the Chief Court Clerk, Court Administrator, Chief Judge, Associate Judges, and Pro Tempore Judges. This role involves maintaining court records, managing the court calendar, processing filings, handling fines and fees, and assisting the public and legal professionals. The position requires a high level of confidentiality, accuracy, and the ability to learn legal terminology and court procedures.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required.
One year Court Clerk experience or Associate’s Degree or equivalent combination or related experience or education.
Must have two years of related experience to qualify, if experience is not as a Court Clerk.
Intermediate to Advanced experience and knowledge using word processing and spreadsheets is required (i.e. Word for Windows, Excel, Access, etc.)
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and to maintain impartial as personnel of the Court.
Knowledge of the Puyallup Tribal Code and functions of the Tribal judicial system and the ability to learn and apply legal terminology.
Ability to interact tactfully and positively with Tribal members, all levels of staff, and management.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and professional correspondence.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
Ability to speak effectively before groups or co-workers.
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.
Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where limited standardization exists.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to interpret and follow instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Strong work ethic and personal responsibility.
Ability to take initiative on individual duties and team responsibilities.
Punctual with good time management, attention to detail, and personal responsibility.
Active learners, adaptive, reliable, and action oriented.
General office experience performing a variety of complex duties at moderate difficulty, in positions which involve individual judgment and knowledge of policies, procedures, and responsibilities of an office environment.
Ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
Ability to explain Tribal Court filing procedures.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to be flexible and adapt to last minute assignment changes.
Ability to work both independently and as a team.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with demonstrated intellect and decision making skills.
Ability to maintain composure in high stress situations and while dealing with distraught parties and/or members of the public.
Strong customer service skills to work with the parties and the public.
Strong computer skills, including data entry and typing experience.
Must be able to acceptably pass a background check prior to and periodically throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Prefer experience in the areas of legal procedure for criminal and civil cases, included but not limited to fishing/hunting, juvenile, probate, child welfare, guardianship, and child support, or must demonstrate an ability to learn Court processes quickly to produce accurate work.
Prefer experience with Tribal Courts and/or tribal communities.
Related course and/or training certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintains court records, files, and other records.
Accurately records details of all court room proceedings.
Maintains court calendar and ensures that the docket is prepared one week in advance for the presiding Judge.
Oversees issuance of summons, subpoenas, orders, and other necessary documents.
Receives and reviews court filings for completeness and conformity to requirements and determines whether each document should be accepted or denied.
Correctly completes data-entry and record keeping.
Receives and reviews fines and fees.
Correctly completes accounting, data-entry, and record keeping.
Assists the public, attorneys, law enforcement, social services, and other agencies to submit a filing and, if applicable, explain without providing legal advice how to amend the filing so that it may be accepted by the Court.
Affixes stamps and appropriate seals to accepted filings, provides appropriate copies to the filer, files the original filings in the Court file, takes appropriate notes detailing their actions in the Court file, and ensures the filings are presented to the presiding judge.
Verifies, enters, retrieves, corrects, and updates information in manual and/or automated record keeping systems.
Organizes own work responsibilities, sets specific priorities, and ensures critical deadlines are met.
Prepares and reviews for format and content in a variety of court documentation, including orders after hearings.
May contact, by telephone or e-mail, all those required in the court session, such as attorneys and witnesses, for various purposes.
Assists as necessary with the legal and administrative needs of a jury trial.
Attends and participates in trainings and meetings.
Upholds all Court policies and procedures.
Operates copiers, computer, Zoom audio/video functions, phones, and fax machine.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Court Clerk, Court Administrator, Chief Judge, Associate Judges, and Pro Tempore Judges.