Office Specialist II

Yakima County • Yakima, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Yakima County Government is committed to providing accessible, responsive, and responsible public service. The Office Specialist II position is with Yakima County Pre-Trial Services. This role involves performing various office administration functions, including providing statistical reports to management and the court, greeting and checking in clients in English and Spanish, and preparing court documents. The position also coordinates with agencies to connect Pretrial clients with essential services like shelter and food. Additionally, this role will serve as a backup Pretrial Officer, performing risk assessments, intakes, appointments, caseload tasks, and filing violation reports.

Requirements

• Associate Degree or two-year technical certificate in Legal Assistant or Criminal Justice AND two (2) years of previous office /clerical experience or customer service experience; OR an equivalent combination of experience or training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
• Successful completion of a criminal background investigation and general employment verification.
• Ability to multitask.
• Confidentiality.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations.
• Ability to follow written instruction.
• Ability to follow verbal instruction.
• Employee will be required to successfully complete ACCESS 1 & 2 Security Test through the Washington State Patrol within 3 months of starting employment (or as WSP scheduling allows).
• Knowledge of Computers and word processing software.
• Knowledge of Grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Knowledge of Customer service techniques.
• Knowledge of Office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Data processing systems and methods for input.
• Knowledge of Modern office procedures and customer service techniques.
• Knowledge of Legal terminology and court rules.
• Knowledge of The legal system, in particular the role and function of the Courts.
• Skills and abilities: Multi-Tasking in a high pressure environment.
• Skills and abilities: Organization, prioritization and time management.
• Skills and abilities: Use of office equipment and computer equipment and software.
• Skills and abilities: Making responsible decisions in accordance with office policies and state statutes.
• Skills and abilities: Establishing effective working relationships with co-workers, other agencies and the general public.
• Skills and abilities: Working effectively with constant interruptions.
• Skills and abilities: Communicating and expressing ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
• Skills and abilities: Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Skills and abilities: Establishing effective working relationships with co-workers, other agencies and the general public.
• Skills and abilities: Communication of complex and/or sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

• Work experience or knowledge of the legal system specifically, the courts.
• Knowledge and experience with Zoom.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Responds to telephone, mail, and in person inquiries from clients.
• Greets clients as they arrive and notifies Pretrial Officer of their arrival.
• Does a warrant check on every client checking in.
• Provides information to Pretrial Services clients about resources for shelter, food, and places to receive assistance with mental health needs and/or substance use treatment.
• Completes appointments over the phone (and occasionally in person) with Pretrial clients.
• Reviews client files for accuracy and corrects any erroneous information in the system.
• Notifies clients of changes to their pretrial monitoring (reduction in monitoring, etc.).
• Checks Arraignment calendar daily to see if client is already on Awaiting Bail caseload.
• Completes criminal history checks for Pretrial clients.
• Reviews Preliminary Appearance docket daily to determine who was released to Pretrial.
• Processes Scheduling Orders, Summons and Warrant paperwork as directed by the Judge.
• Prepares summons and warrant packets based on judicial decision.
• Decides what day to set court appearance for violation hearing.
• Completes scheduling orders based on judicial decision.
• Serves as a back-up Pretrial Officer as staff shortages occur.
• Administers a criminal history investigation/assessment based on information gathered from defendant arrests/convictions, current charges, and age at arrest.
• Reviews all criminal, legal and related reports to determine if there is additional information to provide to the court; sets up the criteria and behavioral expectations for successful completion of court directed pretrial requirements with defendants, identifies potential impediments to success while on pretrial and if appropriate makes referrals to assist defendant.
• Performs intake appointments over the phone for Spanish speaking (and occasionally English speaking) clients who are released to Pretrial Level B or Level C.
• Explains conditions of release, conditions of no contact orders, future court dates, how to contact attorney, and any reporting requirements to the defendant.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
• Retirement Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA- VEBA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Voluntary Benefits – vision, term life, critical illness, disability and other insurance plans
• Washington State Retirement Plan (DRS)
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)

What This Job Offers

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