Salary: $25.91 – $32.28 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service – Full Time
Job Number: 23-00609
Department: Clerk of Superior Court
Division: Clerk-Legal
Opening Date: 08/22/2023
Description
This position is in office only and NOT remote.
Applications submitted by 9/1/2023 will receive first consideration.
Position Summary
Why It’s a Great Opportunity:
On any given day you will use your excellent communication skills and problem-solving abilities as you assist with internal and external questions regarding cases in LINX, attend court hearings, answer phone calls, and direct people to the appropriate services or departments. You will use empathy and compassion as you serve those navigating difficult and often stressful legal processes.
Why It’s a Great Department:
The Clerk of the Superior Court’s work is mostly administrative in nature, providing essential services for the community through maintaining the records of all cases filed in the Superior Court. We are an essential service, helping people navigate through unfamiliar territory during challenging times with knowledge and empathy while creating safe spaces for residents of the county.
Learn more about the Clerk of Superior Court on our website.
How to be Successful in the Role:
Bring your understanding of customer service and modern administrative practices along with a “can do” approach and you will thrive in this role. With your exceptional communication skills, you will be interacting in person and through a variety of electronic modes (phone, email, instant messaging, video conferencing) to assist customers and support your team. Multi-taskers, those with a high fluency in Microsoft Office Suite of programs (Word, Excel, PPT, and Outlook), and quick learners will be successful in this environment.
Someone with empathy and compassion with the ability to provide and connect services for individuals across all walks of life or different states of well-being. Independent judgement, effective decision making, problem solving along with exceptional communication, customer service, and attention to detail will be successful in this role.
Your Future in this Role:
Your work will directly impact your community and it offers a great foundation for future positions within the Clerk of superior Court and Pierce County. There is great opportunity for growth and development within this role and you will receive cross training preparing you for future opportunities. This is your career, and we want you to be successful!
Core Daily Responsibilities:
The Clerk of the Superior Court’s duties are mostly administrative in nature, being quasi-judicial in some cases. The clerk is responsible for maintaining the records of all cases filed in the Superior Court which include issuance of various writs, orders, subpoenas and warrants in support of the court’s decisions, as well as administration of the Mandatory Arbitration System.
- Schedule for trial and return dates; collect fees for court filings and issuance of processes (i.e., writs, garnishments, attachments, restitutions).
- Transcribe court activity to case history documents.
- Prepare court calendar; encode or enter into database for court dates and attorney of record.
- Perform cashiering functions which may include accepting and recording payment of fees.
- Perform initial interview with clients to determine whether Supervisor Court Intervention or referral to other jurisdictions is necessary.
- Attend court sessions, recording court and/or dispositions for subsequent transcription to the case history docket; handles papers between court and judge; swears in jurors; calls jurors.
- Make certified copies of legal documents; certifies that records are true and correct.
A classification description with a more detailed list of essential function can be found here.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Minimum of one-year progressive, responsible experience as a legal assistant or administrative staff support function
- Proficient computer skills including MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PPT)
- Other education or administrative experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute for the recruiting requirements
Preferred Requirements:
- Bilingual individuals encouraged to apply!
- Minimum of one year customer service experience, in person and/or over the phone
- Training by an accredited vocational school, college or university in the field of legal support work or related area
- Experience with LINX
Special Requirements:
- As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration
- A valid Washington State Driver’s License may be required when travel is required of the position
Supplemental Information
To be considered for this opportunity please:
- Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY” above or go to:
- Resume preferred.
- If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at and specify the Job Number and Title.
- If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
- Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.
This is a competitive selection process. Your application form will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 4 to 6 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include written, oral and performance examinations, and final interviews.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a great place to live, work, and raise a family?
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year’s Day – January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday – Third Monday in January
President’s Day – Third Monday in February
Memorial Day – Last Monday in May
Juneteenth – June 19
Independence Day – July 4
Labor Day – First Monday in September
Veteran’s Day – November 11
Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day – December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 “furlough” days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington’s Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.
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