Judicial Operations Assistant

Snohomish County•Everett, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Judicial Operations Assistant (JOA), also known as a Courtroom Clerk, is responsible for attending all trials and hearings in court to capture the overall outcome and the parties in attendance. The JOA plays a vital role in the judicial system by taking minutes, receiving documents or exhibits for filing, and covering all hearings, calendars, and trials for matters filed with the Superior Court. This role offers opportunities to learn and grow while working closely with Judges, attorneys, law clerks, and the general public in a professional courtroom setting. The position requires attention to detail and a passion for learning about the judicial system. There is one (1) full-time position available.

Requirements

Associate's degree in criminal justice or paralegal studies or completion of an accredited legal assistant program.
One (1) year of experience in legal clerical work, legal document/record processing work, or legal customer service experience.
Equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
Must pass job-related tests.
Typing speed of forty-five (45) words per minute required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of state and local databases and Clerk's CMS.
Knowledge of computer software applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to learn, understand and execute complex and technical court operations policies and procedures.
Ability to learn and teach trainees the distinction between offering legal advice and providing excellent customer service.
Ability to work independently and effectively under pressure.
Ability to work with minimum supervision and make consequential work decisions.
Ability to communicate effectively with customers including a culturally diverse population, or angry or distraught customers in a courteous and professional manner.
Ability to operate in a lead capacity when assigned.
Ability to acquire knowledge of specialized procedures and subject matter encountered in work assignments.

Responsibilities

Prepares complex and detailed contemporaneous minutes and exhibit indices for high-volume court hearing calendars and trials in Superior Court case types including Criminal, Civil, Domestic, Probate/Guardianship, Adoption/Parentage, Involuntary Treatment, and Juvenile.
Maintains and controls all court documents, exhibits, and depositions received and used during a trial, including numbering, categorizing, and securing exhibits such as weapons, drugs, money, and bio-hazardous materials.
Administers jury oaths, maintains records of jurors, creates a record of witnesses called and sworn, provides jurors with exhibits for deliberation, and reads jury verdicts in open court.
Receives and records all legal documents, exhibits, and depositions filed in open court, obtains necessary signatures, reviews documents for accuracy and compliance with laws and rules, and enters/retrieves/updates information on statewide databases and the Clerk Case Management System (CMS).
Assists the general public, attorneys, legal staff, court employees, Judges, Commissioners, and government agencies in person, by telephone, or in writing by providing technical assistance and information, explaining procedures, and locating information from court records.
Acts as a liaison for the Clerk's Office to Judges, Commissioners, law clerks, the legal community, and the public.
Researches, sorts, and routes court documents, including confidential and sealed records.
Performs all functions of Jury Management, including answering telephones, data entry, processing mail, preparing payroll, printing and mailing jury summons, collecting and tabulating statistics, and providing technical assistance to jury system users and jurors.
Prepares written responses to public inquiries regarding jury management.
Utilizes voice mail and email for scheduling, confirming, continuing, and striking hearings to prepare daily motions calendars, and maintains the Clerk's Office confirmation website and electronic displays of calendars.
Performs related duties of a bailiff in their absence, including coordinating schedule changes, opening and closing court, and acting as a liaison.
Trains and/or reviews the work of Judicial Operations Assistant trainees and supports staff, meeting with trainees weekly, and preparing progress reports.
Recommends and assists in writing and updating procedures.
Collects, analyzes, and reports division productivity data.
Designs and recommends new forms, information systems, and reports.
Performs select duties of the Judicial Operations Assistant Lead as assigned.
Provides backup and peak workload coverage for co-workers and other divisions.
Performs Judicial Process Assistant and Judicial Accounting Assistant duties as assigned.
Testifies in court cases as a subject matter expert regarding Clerk's Office policies and procedures.
Serves on teams and committees as needed.
May perform other related duties as assigned.