Judicial Assistant (Project Position) Superior Court

Clark County, Washington•Arlington, VA

2d•$30 - $40•Onsite

About The Position

Join a dynamic and high-performing team dedicated to meaningful work within the judiciary. Serving the judiciary is both rewarding and vital to the fundamental principal of rule of law. We are committed to fostering a diverse team, as we believe that a variety of backgrounds enhances our adaptability and resilience, enabling us to better serve our community. Clark County Superior Court is seeking a Judicial Assistant to become a valued member of our team. In this role, you will provide support to Superior Court Commissioners, ensuring the smooth operation of the court. Additionally, you will serve as a reliable backup, filling in for Judicial Assistants during their leave. This coverage is essential to maintain continuity and efficiency in the courtroom, as you'll be responsible for assisting Judicial Officers during the absence of their assigned Judicial Assistant. Your duties will encompass a variety of clerical and technical tasks that demand independent judgment, all within established policy guidelines. A strong grasp of legal terminology, processes, and procedures is crucial for this position. We seek someone with exceptional reliability, accuracy, communication, and the ability to effectively prioritize tasks. This role is a project-based position through 2027 and then expected to be made into a permanent position in 2028. The Superior Court has consistently secured funding for this role and is committed to advocating for its permanency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or completion of paralegal course work at an accredited college or business school and three years [minimum] to six years [desirable] of progressively responsible office work experience within a court environment performing legal support activities; or any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.
Excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills.
Excellent customer service skills, including ability to de-escalate and solve problems in a fluid situation.
Strong computer skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), Zoom, and database experience.
Highly organized and self-directed.
Ability to work well with a diverse population.
Knowledge of legal terminology and ability to understand local and state court rules necessary to provide legal support to the Judicial Officer.
Knowledge of general office practices and procedures.
Knowledge of: criminal, civil, domestic relations, dependency, juvenile offender, termination of parental rights, competency proceedings, sexually violent predator, civil commitments for incapacitated citizens, probate and guardianships proceedings; technical and confidential aspects of all areas of the law and essential county, state and court functions; Revised Codes of Washington, local and state court rules necessary to provide legal support in the Superior Court, state and local appeals process; legal terminology, forms, policies and procedures; general office practices and procedures; technical and specialized functions, policies and procedures of the work unit, including filing systems and data recording methods; procedures, documents and procedural law related to conduct of legal practice in county court systems; legal terminology and diction; standard formats for legal and business correspondence, court orders and jury instructions; business English, spelling, punctuation, diction and grammar; commonly used office machines and equipment, including various personal computer applications and software programs.
Ability to: communicate with the media as required; exercise tact and mature judgment in all personal contacts as a representative of the elected judicial officer; manage matters in confidential and sensitive manner; supervise staff and volunteers; compose legal correspondence and statistical information and prepare periodic reports; understand and render clear explanation of legal procedures and policies; understand and execute complex oral and written instructions; apply extensive guidelines to a variety of work situations; maintain or supervise the keeping of complex records; develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, the general public and employees and officials of other public and private agencies; perform lead worker duties and assist in the maintenance of smooth office work flow and proper office decorum.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual skills are preferred, but not required.
Previous courtroom experience with any area of law preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Manage the judicial department/commissioner; plan work of the department and set daily priorities.
Devise and evaluate legal procedures and implement changes per the direction of the Judicial Officer.
Stay abreast of changes in civil, probate, criminal and domestic relations rules, legal procedures and codes.
Draft orders in all case types, file court orders, forms, warrants, and other court issued pleadings with the Superior Court Clerk’s Office.
Coordinate with other Superior Court Judicial Assistants to ensure all Judicial Officers have needed support and staff coverage.
Research and monitor statutorily required case deadlines in criminal, civil, domestic relations, probate, guardianship, dependency, termination case types and obligations for Judicial Officers.
Schedules flow of cases to promote judicial efficiency, including case reassignments in event of recusals, affidavits of prejudice, and other conflicts.
Evaluate all incoming communications and drafts responses following statutory and procedural guidelines for the Judicial Officer approval, often routing responses to the appropriate parties, calling attention to items needing immediate consideration.
Manage court dockets; examine and distribute documents and bench copies in preparation of dockets and special settings. Conducts analytical research independent or at the direction of the judicial officer for the purpose of docket, hearing or trial preparation.
Maintain official audio/video court records for the required statutory period, along with annual archiving of department records. Attend court and perform Superior Court related functions such as keeping detailed logs of trials and docket proceedings, managing video conference software and document sharing software for video court hearings for virtual appearances. Coordinates jail transport pertaining to all matters involving in-custody defendants.
Disseminate data from court proceedings to other judicial departments and acts as a liaison between judicial department to relay vital operative case information.
Manage jury trials; coordinate, schedule, and supervise bailiffs and jury panels; in the absence of an available bailiff, take on the role of bailiff as well; supervise jurors, arranging juror meals, monitoring of evidence during deliberations, and drafting jury instructions.
Performs related duties as required.