Clerk's Judicial Proceedings Specialist

Thurston County•Tumwater, WA

9h•$4,446 - $5,914

About The Position

Thurston County Clerk’s Office is seeking a professional, motivated, and dependable Judicial Proceedings Specialist to provide technical, legal, and courtroom support. The role includes customer service, legal process support, courtroom administration, records management, and judicial proceedings support. It ensures court records are accurate, complete, confidential, and maintained as permanent records of proceedings. The specialist reviews legal documents for compliance with statutes, court rules, and judicial orders; coordinates courtroom operations and jury trials; manages case processing from filing through appeal; and provides technical assistance to judicial officers, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, government organizations, and the public. Work is performed primarily in an office environment, with occasional lifting and potential physical hazards from agitated defendants during trials or hearings. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; workload demands may occasionally require work outside assigned hours. Occasional travel may be required for meetings or training. The role involves daily in-person, phone, and video interactions with County staff and the public.

Requirements

Associate of Arts degree in paralegal studies or another related field; additional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Four years of progressively responsible office experience in a legal or court environment.
Ability to type 55 words per minute.
Ability to use a personal computer and related software for word processing, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking.

Nice To Haves

Completion of an accredited Paralegal or Legal Assistant program.
Experience supporting courtroom proceedings and jury trials.
Knowledge of appellate court procedures.
Passport Acceptance Agent certification or ability to obtain certification.
Experience with statewide judicial information systems.
Strong notetaking, shorthand, or speedwriting skills.

Responsibilities

Provide technical assistance and detailed information about court procedures, legal processes, statutory requirements, and case management.
Explain legal procedures and filing requirements while ensuring compliance with applicable statutes and court rules.
Verify, receipt, and process legal financial obligations, court fines, fees, bail, judgments, and penalty assessments in accordance with established procedures.
Coordinate jury trials, including managing and marking exhibits; verifying juror presence; maintaining jury panels and seating lists; administering oaths; preparing and maintaining witness records; and distributing jury instructions.
Be on call for immediate notification of jury questions or verdicts and notify appropriate personnel.
Interpret, summarize, and report judicial officer decisions while maintaining accurate records of proceedings and trial court time.
Monitor case dispositions for compliance with court orders.
Review petitions, applications, affidavits, oaths, and court orders before issuing writs, subpoenas, letters testamentary, and arrest warrants; verify accuracy and completeness and identify inconsistencies with statutes.
Provide technical information to support legal-document compliance and restrict access when ordered by the court or required by statute.
Manage clerk’s dismissals, exhibit tracking, administrative law review cases, and dismissal and remand of lower court appeals.
Prepare dismissal calendars and pleadings, notify parties, and respond to inquiries.
Analyze and complete judicial processes for notices of appeal and discretionary reviews to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.
Maintain systems to ensure compliance with strict appeal-related timelines and prioritize work to prevent liability to the County.

Benefits

Retirement plan.
Pre-tax savings accounts.
Comprehensive health care coverage for employees and their families.
Dental and vision care for employees and their families.
Paid vacation for full-time regular employees.
Paid holidays.
County-paid training and opportunities to attend professional organizations and conferences.
Flexible work schedule options, including alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote work.
Three voluntary deferred compensation plans.
Flexible Spending Account for eligible out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses.
Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualifying full-time public service employees.