City of Bellingham · 17 hours ago
Court Clerk
Bellingham, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Entry Level
$29.90/hr - $39.01/hr
2+ years expThe City of Bellingham is seeking a Court Clerk to join the Bellingham Municipal Court team, providing access to justice and excellent service to the community. The Court Clerk will perform courtroom operations, coordinate cases, and manage probation tracking functions while ensuring compliance with court rules and procedures.
Government Administration
Responsibilities
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
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
Qualification
Required
Two years of clerical work, bookkeeping or customer service
Two years of related college level education
Ability to type 45 wpm NET
Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions and local background check
Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire
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
Benefits
10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match
Company
City of Bellingham
Join the City of Bellingham, where throughout our organization talented, dedicated employees are delivering quality public services and stepping up every day to address the opportunities and challenges of our growing community.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageCompany data provided by crunchbase