Program Representative I

Yakima County

4d•$25 - $31

About The Position

There is a Program Representative I vacancy with Yakima County Superior Court. This position is responsible for providing a broad spectrum of legal information and technical assistance to self-represented individuals in dissolutions, legal separations, paternity actions, child support modifications/adjustments, parenting plan modifications, actions for contempt/enforcement of orders, as well as Minor Guardianship matters. (Title 26 RCW), (Title 11 RCW). This position will perform various office administration functions including but not limited to scheduling, preparing legal correspondence and limited research for the Court Director and judges, and performing other related work to support court administration. A written assessment in Outlook, Word, and Excel will be administered during your interview.

Requirements

Associate degree or two-year technical certificate in Paralegal, Criminal Justice, Sociology or related field AND three (3) years of experience as a paralegal/legal assistant with a family law firm, court, clerk’s office; 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.
Valid WA State driver’s license and proof of insurance, if requested.
Proficient use of Zoom
Proficient use of MS Word, Outlook, and Excel.
Roles and responsibilities of the judicial system.
Knowledge of legal terminology, laws, rules, and regulations governing the courts.
Successful completion of a comprehensive criminal background and general employment verification

Nice To Haves

Work experience or knowledge of the legal system, in particular the role and function of Courts.
Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Experience using Legal Plus Support Calc
Court docketing and case management experience
Clear and concise verbal and written skills.
Experience with JIS/SCOMIS/Odyssey/Enterprise Justice and BIT programs.

Responsibilities

Interviews unrepresented litigants to ascertain legal direction and determine what steps are needed to complete their case.
Investigates facts and underlying issues, reviews legal files and documents and all other information relevant to the issues.
Performs legal research of statutes, cases, and state and local court rules regarding family law matters.
Performs a variety of duties including reviewing case files for completeness; monitors compliance with state and local court rules, statutory authority and court procedures; reviews pleadings and legal documents for compliance with applicable law, and any previously entered orders.
Uses Superior court Case Management System (Enterprise Justice) to assist litigants in tracking the activity of their cases; performs child support calculations; assess fees for services and forms.
Prepares pleadings required for specific issues which are presented for judicial approval.
Inspects and reviews court files to determine completeness and compliance with Title 26 RCW’s and Local Court Rules.
Selects the correct forms and assists in the preparation of legal pleadings with or for litigants and presents them to the Judge/Court Commissioner ex parte or schedules a court hearing.
Assists unrepresented litigants find legal assistance programs, social services, DSHS, Division of Child Support, CPS, Prosecuting Attorneys or other state, county and community services.
Refers individuals in need of attorney involvement to local lawyer referral opportunities as well as alternative dispute referral programs and community resources providing various family law forms and instructions.
Updates and maintains community referral lists for family law related issues, providing instruction and training sources as appropriate.
Develops and presents a Family Court Orientation/informational class for individuals involved in Family Court matters.
Recommends modifications to program objectives, policies, procedures and strategies to improve service quality.
Keeps up to date on current trends and practices applicable to the area of assignment through continuing education (seminars, classes, meetings) and the reading of applicable laws and journals.
Completes legal research and writes detailed instructions for form packets focused on complex family law actions, informational brochures and other materials related to the program.
Creates and conducts training and informational sessions for community groups, law enforcement, other county and state agencies and various associations regarding services available.
Trains, supervises, and evaluates Office Specialist II support position, assigns and reviews Office Specialist’s daily work; provides general oversight of Family Court Investigator, alerting the supervisor of performance or attendance problems; counsels Office Specialist about ways to correct behavior/complaint issues; administers oral and/or written reprimands when necessary.
Compiles statistics and prepares reports; screens potential GAL applicants for entry into GAL program; acts as office manager for Family Court office, arranging for facility maintenance, ordering supplies, calling security when necessary or mediating angry outbursts from Family Court clients.
Communicates Family Court problems or issues to Court Administration supervisor on behalf of the Family Court unit.
Maintains Title 11 and 26 GAL, attorney, Court Visitor registries: facilitates the appointment process for Court Visitors, GAL, and attorneys.
Manages application process and all follow up with the application and appointment process to include correspondence to members on the registries and ensuring all orders appointing are filled.
Participates in any Court Visitor, GAL, training offered by the court.
Acts as a liaison between judges, court commissioners, court staff and the public.
Screens request for contact with judicial officers and responds to various questions from lawyers, the media, other staff and the public in person and by phone; participates in various state sponsored committees committed to ensuring access to justice for unrepresented litigants; networks with various legal program county, state and nationwide.
Serves as a community liaison and referral for unrepresented individuals, court personnel, and internal and external agencies.
Performs other duties assigned.