Court Clerk

City of Bellingham • City of Bellingham, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Have you always thought that working in the Court system was only for judges and attorneys? There are many interesting opportunities and challenges available to you as a Court Clerk at Bellingham Municipal Court. Join our team providing access to justice and excellent service to our community. JOB SUMMARY: As a Court clerk you will perform courtroom operation functions which include scheduling and docketing; coordinating cases with the law and justice community and the public; and arrangements for bench and jury trials. Probation tracking functions include acting as the judge’s liaison and compliance officer for court-ordered probation or evaluation processes, pre- or post-trial, involving misdemeanor offenders. Accounting functions include booking and adjusting court and parking fines, fees, time payment agreements, collection accounts, and Department of Licensing releases. Mail and counter receipting of cash, credit cards, and checks; daily reconciliation and preparation of bank deposits; intake of bail bonds and trust fund deposits. The Court Clerk works to minimize errors in court processes and procedures or identifies ethical breaches which may impact case disposition and involve substantial liability and judicial consequences for the citizen, City, or Court Clerk. The clerk ensures compliance with Washington State and local court rules and procedures by following designed procedures, processes and systems.

Requirements

• Two years of clerical experience working in a court, probation, police record services or legal environment
• OR Three years progressively responsible clerical experience with a focus on complex data entry, scheduling, recordkeeping and bookkeeping including two years of experience providing support directly to the public or external customers
• Ability to type 45 wpm NET
• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions and local background check
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire
• Must be willing to sign confidentiality agreements with the State of Washington and the Court in regard to ethical standards and database access and use
• May be required to work overtime as required for jury trials or to process materials with legal deadlines

Nice To Haves

• Two years of college level education in criminal justice, sociology, paralegal, business administration/accounting may be substituted for two years of general clerical experience
• Some assignments may require access to law enforcement databases. Access to these databases requires fingerprinting and a more extensive examination of an individual’s criminal history.

Responsibilities

• Perform courtroom operation functions which include scheduling and docketing
• Coordinate cases with the law and justice community and the public
• Make arrangements for bench and jury trials
• Act as the judge’s liaison and compliance officer for court-ordered probation or evaluation processes, pre- or post-trial, involving misdemeanor offenders
• Book and adjust court and parking fines, fees, time payment agreements, collection accounts, and Department of Licensing releases
• Receipt mail and counter transactions of cash, credit cards, and checks
• Perform daily reconciliation and preparation of bank deposits
• Intake bail bonds and trust fund deposits
• Minimize errors in court processes and procedures or identify ethical breaches
• Ensure compliance with Washington State and local court rules and procedures

Benefits

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree