Court Clerk

Puyallup Municipal Court Position

The Puyallup Municipal Court is adding to our team! Applicants with strong customer service skills and a desire to serve the Puyallup community are encouraged to apply. It is impactful to join Team Puyallup and provide meaningful work in support of public service and the wellbeing of our community. We value our culture of demonstrating excellence in our work, being service focused, supporting collaboration, and having integrity in all that we do. We encourage those that share these values to apply to our open positions and/or forward to colleagues who may be ready for their next career advancement opportunity. The successful candidate will provide technical and clerical work in support of the municipal court.

This classification requires public relations involvement, independent judgment and solid organizational skills. This position requires technical expertise in those aspects of the court operation in which consequences of a clerical error would be significant. Personal contact with police, attorneys, defendants, and other agencies in situations where considerable judgment is required. Duties require the ability to read, comprehend and verbally communicate the rules of the court in a clear and concise manner. Duties also require the proficient use of a computer/keyboard to access and input court information.

Essential Functions

• Performs a variety of duties such as: processes forms, orders and documentation for court cases from origin to final disposition;
• Assists the public and explains court procedures;
• Sets cases for various types of hearings including arraignment, pre-trial, trial, mitigation, contested, show cause and motions;
• Prepares court calendars and notifying parties related to case by subpoena, summons, officer notice and bonding company notice;
• Processes continuance requests and notifies parties involved;
• Tracks cases with continued, suspended or deferred status;
• Obtains record checks;
• Reviews compliance and non-compliance reports, sends notices and prepares calendar;
• Maintains warrant control;
• Issues, recalls, processes and purges warrants;
• Maintains failure to appear control;
• Maintains time pay accounts, sends statements and delinquent notices;
• Prepares bench warrants for non-payment or prepares cases for review hearing;
• Tracks prisoners in custody awaiting arraignment, trial or review hearing;
• Maintains jail commitments and follow-up proceedings;
• Serves as court clerk while court is in session and records and documents proceedings;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Court policies, procedures and practices;
• Legal forms, documents and terminology;
• General office practices and procedures;
• Correct punctuation, spelling, grammar and word usage;
• Operation of personal computer and associated software;
• The Right to Privacy and Public Disclosure laws.

Ability to:

• Process a wide variety of legal forms and documentation;
• Work effectively with defendants and the public providing information regarding court cases and procedures;
• Interact with emotionally distraught, irate and combative individuals;
• Perform basic arithmetic computations and data entry functions accurately;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, polices and procedures;
• Maintain records and prepare reports;
• Effectively work with other employees and/or other departments.

Education and Experience Any combination equivalent to graduation from high school and two years experience working in a district or municipal court; related education or experience in the criminal justice field may be substituted for the experience requirement. Judicial Informational System (JIS) experience is desired.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of or the ability to obtain, and maintain throughout employment, a valid Washington State driver's license.
• Experience with the Judicial Information System (JIS) is preferred.

Physical Characteristics and Work Environment

Work is performed indoors in an office setting with low noise levels. May be subject to dealing with hostile or irate customers and standing or sitting for long periods of time. Constant demands include sitting, hearing, and seeing. Frequent demands include repetitive hand motion (keyboarding) and talking. Occasional demands include standing, walking, lifting an average of 2 pounds to a maximum of 25 pounds, pushing/pulling (chairs), bending/twisting at the waist, repetitive arm motion, handling/grasping, and fine finger manipulation.

Selection Process

Those applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the City's current needs will be contacted for interviews and/or testing. The appointing authority may conduct second interviews. Notification Following submission of application, an email acknowledgment receipt of application is given. Persons selected for an interview and/or testing will be notified by email, normally within 15 working days following the closing date on the job announcement. Not Selected No formal notification is usually sent by the City to applicants not selected for an interview or test. Should the same or another position open for which the applicant wishes to apply, he/she must apply online for each new opening.

Benefits

We take care of our employees through a robust and well-rounded benefit program. The City of Puyallup cares about your and your family's well-being. We strive to provide one of the best benefits plans in the area and offer coverage to you and your family at minimal cost. The city supports your work-life balance by offering impressive benefit and leave options. The highlights include the following:

• Professional learning opportunities including supervisory and leadership development.
• Excellent health insurance offered: Medical, dental, vision, orthodontia, and prescription plans. Our employees are provided with a wellness program, and if successful in completing the wellness program our employees can achieve a zero premium share plan.
• Participation in Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Optional deferred compensation plans are also available.
• Paid Leave: Generous paid vacation, sick and holiday leave available for immediate use.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Onsite workout facilities and fitness membership at the Puyallup Recreation Center.