JUDICIAL ASSISTANT (2 OPENINGS) - Benton County, WA : Job Details

JUDICIAL ASSISTANT (2 OPENINGS)

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Job Description

Department: Superior Court

Reports To: Court Administrator

Supervises: N/A

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Summary

The Superior Court is a bi-county judicial district, overseeing both Benton and Franklin Counties. The Judicial Assistant is a professional-level position providing varied judicial assistance for the Superior Court. The Judicial Assistant is assigned daily to a specific location and courtroom by the Court's designee. They must work collaboratively within a supportive team, cross-train, and rotate regularly, as directed by the Superior Court Administrator and management team in consultation with the Administrative Presiding Judge or their designee.

Examples of Job Duties*

Operates digital recording systems for official court proceedings.

Oversees and manages Courtroom technology including WebEx hearings, audio/visual settings, and other technical aspects involved in remote and hybrid proceedings including interfacing with the Information Technology/Information Services departments.

Calls to order and adjourns Court; works with courtroom security and the judicial officer to maintain order, decorum, and respect for judicial process in the courtroom. Identifies conditions which may create opportunities for a security incident and notifies courthouse security according to established protocols.

Acts as a clerical assistant to judges, processing correspondence and court documents. Provides assistance to the judicial officer and the litigants relative to paperwork presented and filed. Maintains confidentiality of all sensitive reports, correspondence, conversations, special inquiries, closed proceedings, or other confidential matters.

Oversees and coordinates jury activity with full responsibility for assuring the comfort and deportment of jurors assigned to the judicial department. This may include issues of communication, security, illness, reasonable accommodation, emergency matters, meals, sequestering, and personal concerns that could affect the parties' right to a fair trial. Acts as liaison between the judge and jurors during and following active juror service.

Coordinates security measures and transport of in-custody defendants with courthouse security, the Court Administrator's office, the Sheriff's Office and/or the Department of Corrections.

Pursues self-development and continuing personal development of skills and knowledge by attending ongoing educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Proficient knowledge of Superior Court procedures and legal terminology.

Proficient skills in applicable software programs including, but not limited to: Odyssey, Judicial Information Systems, JAVS and FTR digital recording systems, JAVS Scheduler, WebEx, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Proficient knowledge of modern principles, methods, and practices as it relates to area of assignment.

Proficient knowledge of Benton County business and financial acumen and the application and interpretation of Benton County policies and procedures and federal, state, and local rules, laws, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to area(s) of assignment.

Proficient troubleshooting skills to resolve issues or problems by analyzing trends and problems, identifying alternative solutions, interpreting compliance documentation, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and communicating and/or implementing recommendations in support of goals and maintaining compliance.

Proficient time management and mental and physical organization skills that support the ability to focus, have clarity, and use strategy to fulfill a variety of tasks successfully.

Proficient skills in Microsoft Office Suite, the internet for research and the ability learn and develop proficient skills in the County-wide enterprise resource planning software, and other online portals for state agencies.

Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgment and discretion and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information.

Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely and to express ideas and recommendations effectively orally and in writing to a wide variety of audiences. This includes the ability to apply accurate business English, composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability and willingness to establish and maintain communication and working relationships with peers, representatives from other agencies, vendors, public officials, and the general public using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.

Ability to effectively present information, findings, proposals, training, or other information to a variety of audiences by clearly articulating, engaging the audience, assessing the needs of the audience, and using appropriate materials to help audience understand the message.

Ability to identify and take advantage of opportunities, organize and prioritize several ongoing and frequently changing assignments to meet deadlines.

Ability to hold self in readiness at all times and to anticipate disturbances within and around the courtroom(s) and to respond accordingly, without offending the individual(s) involved or violating court rules and instructions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work may be performed in the following environmental conditions:

o constantly: in an office environment, and

o occasionally: near dirt, dust, and shavings, exposed to other environmental conditions when interacting with employees who work in those conditions.

* The noise level in the general work environment is moderate as in a standard business office.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The person in this position must be able to spend the following amount of time in an activity:

o constantly: talk or hear and use hands, fingers to handle or feel, or operate equipment or tools,

o frequently: stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; climb, pull, push or balance, and

o occasionally: stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; reach with hands and arms.

* carry or transport items:

o frequently: up to 10 pounds, and

o occasionally: between 11 and 30 pounds.

o have close vision (1- 20 inches) and the ability to adjust focus.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

* Must be flexible and available to stay after regular hours with deliberating jurors and/or court proceedings when necessary.

* Assigned work location may vary between Benton County Justice Center and Franklin County Courthouse, sometimes within the same day. Employee must be able to provide transportation to/from either work site based on schedule.

* Potential physical hazards are present from potentially hostile litigants or inmates. Security protocols are in place to minimize potential hazards.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Associate's Degree in related field and two years of direct experience working within the Judiciary or legal system; or any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.

Licenses, Certificates & Other Requirements:

Employment with the Benton-Franklin Counties Superior Court is contingent upon the results of a background check and eligibility for coverage by the County's liability insurance carrier. Depending upon the position, background checks may include personal and professional references, social security verification, education and professional licensing verification, financial history, and criminal history.

Valid Washington State driver's license if driving a vehicle for County business.

Conduct Expectation:

Due to the Superior Court's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the Superior court are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the Court.