Court Clerk

Nature of Work

Have you always thought that working in the Court system was only for judges and attorneys? There are many interesting opportunities and challenges available to you as a Court Clerk atBellingham Municipal Court. Join our team providing access to justice and excellent service to our community.

As a Court clerk you will perform courtroom operation functions which include scheduling and docketing; coordinating cases with the law and justice community and the public; and arrangements for bench and jury trials. Probation tracking functions include acting as the judge's liaison and compliance officer for court-ordered probation or evaluation processes, pre- or post-trial, involving misdemeanor offenders. Accounting functions include booking and adjusting court and parking fines, fees, time payment agreements, collection accounts, and Department of Licensing releases. Mail and counter receipting of cash, credit cards, and checks; daily reconciliation and preparation of bank deposits; intake of bail bonds and trust fund deposits. The Court Clerk works to minimize errors in court processes and procedures or identifies ethical breaches which may impact case disposition and involve substantial liability and judicial consequences for the citizen, City, or Court Clerk. The clerk ensures compliance with Washington State and local court rules and procedures by following designed procedures, processes and systems.

This position will start at Step 1 ($24.47/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and City policy. The full 2023 hourly range for this position is $24.47 - $30.10.

This position is represented by a union.For external candidates, placement within the range is based on qualifications and professional experience in accordance with City policy. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the

Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreementand City policy.

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in aWashington State Department of Retirement Systemspension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City's 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service.Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:

• Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook

• City of Bellingham (cob.org)

• Employment Benefits

• City of Bellingham (cob.org)

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 3/29/2024 4:30 PM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Prepares file for use in court which, depending on particular cases, may include police reports, original citations, treatment data, correspondence, and other confidential information. Takes appropriate action to correct deficiencies. Determines appropriate reporting from the court to the various entities involved in the case as well as outside agencies and electronic data systems.

• Assists the Municipal Court judge at all courthouse and jail hearings to ensure the integrity of court operations by recording proceedings, maintaining logs, marking exhibits, documenting findings, and processing orders of the court. Composes the narrative for the court docket. Establishes receivable accounts for fines and other court costs. Sets case tracking for order compliance.

• Provides a full range of customer services to the public at the lobby counter. Receipts parking and court payments. Assists with completion of time payment and community service documents. Explains court findings, directives and collection procedures to defendants. Accepts warrant surrenders and notifies the court staff and/or law enforcement as needed. Reconciles cash drawer, clears the credit card reconciliation, prepares and seals the bank deposit documents. Verifies internal audit checks with other cashiers.

• Exercises judgment in taking appropriate remedial action for recalling warrants, no contact orders, driver's license suspensions, or collection actions in situations that are in error or with unusual circumstances. Responsible for final verification and release of no contact orders, firearm orders, and arrest warrants to various law enforcement, state, and local agencies.

• Acts as bailiff for jury trials. Assists judge in the jury selection process, records proceedings, marks and safeguards all exhibits and evidence. Responsible for set-up and maintenance of audio-visual equipment used in the proceedings.

• Assists in scheduling hearings, pre-trial motions, bench and jury trials. Analyzes schedule for recommended modifications and resolves schedule conflicts with the attorneys, pro se defendants and law enforcement.

• Under the guidance of applicable City, State, and Municipal codes, regulations, policies and procedures, assists with coordinating day-to-day activities, including making appropriate decisions for distribution of reports, hearing notices, and pertinent correspondence to the prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, and various other entities and individuals. Issues summonses and witness subpoenas. Assists in monitoring probationers to assure compliance with court orders. Corresponds with community agencies regarding probationers.

• Responsible for the accuracy of the records pertaining to case dispositions and convictions. Certifies and enters judgments into the state and federal judicial information systems as permanent records. Issues driver's license suspension orders to the Department of Licensing and vehicle impound releases.

• Screens and assigns individuals for indigent defense counsel by interviewing the defendant for personal financial data and analyzing the individual's ability to pay.

• Researches and compiles defendant criminal and infraction histories and other ad hoc statistical reports from a variety of state and local electronic databases to support judicial hearings, decisions and public disclosure requests.

• Prepares documents and digital recordings for response to individual or agency subpoenas. Testifies and certifies the authenticity of documents in Municipal, District, or Superior courts.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

• Telephone responsibilities, including responding to questions from the public and providing information on Municipal Court procedures or schedules, parking citations, or public disclosure requests.

• Assists with organizing, updating, maintaining, purging and archiving databases, files, records and other documents.

• Assists with training assignments for new specialists and/or on new legislative or procedural changes.

• Assists other staff with assignments during peak workloads or during absences.

• Performs similar related duties.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a courtroom environment and in a congested, fast-paced office environment. Some assignments require working in the county jail and exposure to pathogens. Possibility of exposure to hostile, offensive language and the risk of physical harm associated with the emotional climate of court proceedings. Position may be exposed to graphic evidence of offenses and potentially hazardous physical and chemical evidence. Counter assignments routinely include interactions with angry, volatile or mentally ill individuals who may be verbally abusive and/or threatening.

Physical ability to perform essential functions of the job including:

• Frequently operate a computer and read a computer screen or typewritten page;

• Frequently communicate verbally;

• Move between work sites;

• Occasional lifting of boxes or equipment weighing up to 40 lbs.

Experience and Training

• Two years of clericalwork, bookkeeping or customer service.

OR

• Two years of related college level education.

• Ability to type 45 wpm NET

Necessary Special Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions and local background check.

• Some assignments may require access to law enforcement databases. Access to these databases requires fingerprinting and a more extensive examination of an individual's criminal history.

• Must be willing to sign confidentiality agreements with the State of Washington and the Court in regard to ethical standards and database access and use.

• May be required to work overtime as required for jury trials or to process materials with legal deadlines.

Selection Process

All applications will be forwarded to the Bellingham Municipal Court for review. Candidates selected to participate in further assessment will be notified directly by the Bellingham Municipal Court.

Equal Opportunity:

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.

• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.

• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.

• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.