Clerk's Judicial Proceedings Specialist

Clerk's Judicial Proceedings Specialist

The Thurston County Clerk's Office is seeking professional and reliable candidates to fill this position to join our team. This is a great opportunity for those with legal experience to begin their career in the court system, work in a fast‑paced environment, and receive great benefits.

Pursuant to statutory requirements, this position serves at the direction of the County Clerk and is present at all judicial proceedings to create an accurate, permanent record of court decisions, coordinates jury trials, administers oaths, oversees exhibits, and prepares/processes orders of the court, performing a variety of technical duties for court processes.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinates jury trials, manages, identifies and marks exhibits, identifies and verifies juror presence, maintains jury panel and seating list, administers oath, prepares/maintains witness record, and distributes jury instructions. On‑call duty for immediate notification of jury questions or verdict and notification of appropriate personnel.
• Interprets, summarizes and reports decisions of Judicial Officer maintaining accurate record of proceedings and trial court time. Monitors case disposition for compliance with court orders.
• Attends off‑site, specialized judicial proceedings at a secure facility.
• Reviews petitions, applications, affidavits, oaths and court orders prior to issuance of writs, subpoenas, letters testamentary and arrest warrants verifying the accuracy and completeness of legal documents. Identifies inconsistency with statutes and provides technical information for compliance. May restrict access as ordered by the court or mandated by statute.
• Manages complex system for clerk's dismissals, exhibit tracking, administrative law review cases (receipt and return) and dismissal and remand of lower court appeals.
• Prepares dismissal calendar and pleadings, notifies all parties and responds to inquiries.
• Analyzes and completes judicial process for notices of appeal and discretionary reviews to Court of Appeals/Supreme Court. Maintains system to ensure compliance with strict timelines. Prioritizes work accordingly to prevent liability to the County.
• Prepares, indexes and transmits designations, exhibits and records to Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Verifies, evaluates and updates case status on statewide system for higher court mandates and court decisions. Notifies lower court and processes file for return if required. Prepares pleadings and other legal documents for appellate courts and corresponds with attorneys of record regarding transmittal of court reporter transcripts, notices, designations, and all other appeal‑related documents.
• Performs technical review of administrative law review records, transcripts, and exhibits from state agencies to ensure compliance with local court rules and office policies. Approves documents for filing and/or requests additional information. Explains detailed statutory requirements to agency regarding errors in record. Organizes and logs into specialized barcode system. After case completion, returns record to agency of origin.
• Verifies receipt of financial obligations, court fines, bail, penalty assessments and fees according to established court procedures.
• Expedites documents for court hearings and ensures review by Judicial Officer following established procedures/guidelines. Determines process for coordination of emergency orders needing presentation before the court. Maintains calendar system to ensure compliance with timelines as set forth in governmental procedures.
• Prepares/creates document image on sophisticated imaging system and specialized equipment, validating essential information and ensuring integrity of record.
• Operates word processing equipment and assists in adapting computer programs for office functions and performing data entry. Verifies, evaluates and updates case status on statewide indexing and person database systems; conducts complex record searches.
• Provides assistance and detailed information to County staff, other agencies, or the public regarding court…