An Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, Communications, Social Sciences, or a related field, and two years of administrative experience, including one year in a court, judicial, or legal setting; an equivalent combination of related education, training, and experience may be considered.
Knowledge of Superior Court rules, practices, procedures, laws and regulations, legal terminology, and case-processing procedures relevant to the assigned program.
Knowledge of research procedures and statistical analysis.
Knowledge of computer applications and their use in a court environment.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing to exchange or convey information and give and receive work direction.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, agencies, and the public.
Ability to prepare or assist with the completion and distribution of reports, forms, notices, and other court documents accurately and effectively.
Ability to work independently within program parameters and expectations.
Ability to work quickly, accurately, and thoroughly with close attention to detail.
Ability to exercise careful judgment, diplomacy, and tact while maintaining confidentiality.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with people from diverse age, social, economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
Ability to work efficiently and effectively under stressful circumstances.
Ability to use standard office equipment, including phones, copiers, calculators, fax machines, computers, and related software applications.
Responsibilities
Serve as the first point of contact for individuals seeking legal assistance in a high-traffic environment; provide general instructions to self-represented litigants in family law matters and help the public access legal resources online and in the Law Library.
Schedule appointments with the Family Court Facilitator when individuals need assistance beyond general guidance.
Accept cash payments for copy and printing services and maintain a balanced cash box under established cash-handling procedures.
Assess needs and provide information and technical assistance to professional and non-professional guardians; identify needed forms and documents and assist guardians with statutory requirements, court rules, procedures, and reporting requirements.
Review documents before filing in the Clerk’s Office, court files, and reports completed by volunteers; determine whether additional guardian information is needed or whether reports are ready for Court Commissioner approval or a hearing.
Assist the Coordinator with recruiting, training, and assigning volunteers and interns; prepare and review files to maintain adequate volunteer workloads.
Develop and distribute guardianship information packets, brochures, and instructional materials; create individualized legal documents for Court Commissioners.
Assist the Coordinator in public liaison and media relations with the public, attorneys, self-represented litigants, state agencies, family law staff, and the Clerk’s Office.
Process court orders, including preparing conforming copies and contacting people to collect supporting documents.
In the Court Coordinator’s absence, perform limited weekly docket duties, including compiling and emailing dockets and attending hearings; handle Court Visitor Registry assignments, hearing dates, and initialing Orders Appointing Court Visitors.
Attend and facilitate in-custody and out-of-custody first appearance, arraignment, Early Case Resolution, and pretrial dockets; schedule hearings and generate orders using computer software across multiple calendars and appointment types as ordered by the Court.
Advise the Court and counsel of related case information and assist judicial officers and their staff with procedural clarification.
Monitor pretrial and trial dates under court rules and legal requirements; maintain, edit, correct, and distribute the scheduling grid in SuperCal.
Maintain order in the jail courtroom; track active felony cases and pending caseloads; coordinate transport with counsel and defendants; and track hearing requirements for defendants under medical isolation.
Provide information and technical assistance to counsel and defendants; assist with court-required documents and ensure documents are delivered to the appropriate source for processing.
Coordinate across courtrooms and keep Judicial Assistants updated on changes when another department covers dockets.
Assist the Coordinator with staff training on program processes; attend meetings and draft and distribute minutes as requested.
Draft weekly reports for the Coordinator.
Maintain and troubleshoot courtroom computer and video equipment with the Information Systems Department; move and set up equipment as directed.
Monitor criminal cases involving posted bonds for forfeiture procedures and timely bond-company notifications; advise judges when defendants fail to appear and prepare forfeiture paperwork when applicable.
Notify the Coordinator and Bond Judge about bond-company payment status; communicate with the Prosecutor’s Office about forfeiture procedures; research case status for bond exoneration paperwork, obtain approval, fax exonerations to bail bond companies, and file them in court records.
Coordinate with the County Clerk’s Office to monitor bond status, including refunds; prepare reports on bond-status actions for criminal cases filed in Superior Court.
Update eligible bond-company and agent lists, monitor annual bond-company justification, and transmit court orders regarding suspensions, forfeitures, and other bond-company matters.
Respond to prosecutors, public defenders, bond companies, jail staff, and other agencies regarding defendant and bond status; collaborate with the Information Systems Department to improve case and bond-tracking applications.
Act as an intermediary between the Superior Court and the public or other clients, providing information or policy interpretation on sensitive matters while exercising tact, judgment, and confidentiality; receive and resolve or refer complaints and respond to inquiries in person and in writing.
Assess the needs of self-represented litigants and provide information and technical assistance; identify required forms and assist with statutory requirements, court rules, procedures, and reporting obligations.
Develop and distribute self-represented litigant information packets, brochures, and instructional materials; refer litigants to legal assistance, social services, or other community services and maintain family-law referral lists.
Assist self-represented litigants in filing appropriate paperwork, including summonses and petitions, hearing notices, declarations, contempt affidavits, general orders, motions, and certificates of service for dissolution, parenting plan, parentage, minor guardianship, contempt, modifications, temporary orders, emergency temporary orders, motions to vacate, motions to terminate or modify temporary orders, motions for revision, and motions for reconsideration.
Educate or train self-represented litigants, members of the public, and other staff on petitions, processes, local and state court rules, policies, requirements, and forms; assist with questions and paperwork.
Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Dashboard career section to apply for this position.
The Court Staff Assistant vacancy is in the Family Court Facilitator’s Office, which consists of two employees: the Family Court Facilitator and the Court Staff Assistant. Both positions are located in the Spokane County Law Library.
The Court Staff Assistant serves as the first point of contact for individuals seeking legal assistance in a high-traffic environment. This position provides general instructions to self-represented litigants in family law matters and assists the public with accessing legal resources both online and within the Law Library. When individuals require help beyond general guidance, the Assistant schedules appointments with the Family Court Facilitator.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage walk-in, email, and telephone inquiries efficiently. The role also includes accepting cash payments for copy and printing services and maintaining a balanced cash box in accordance with established cash-handling procedures.
The position allocated to this class provides technical judicial administrative support services for Superior Court’s Guardianship Monitoring, Family Court Facilitator or Criminal Coordinator Programs. The incumbent provides technical program assistance under the general direction of a Court Coordinator who oversees the assigned program. Duties may include researching and compiling data, developing reports, assisting pro se individuals navigate the court system and assisting in the management of special projects or programs. This classification is distinguished from the Court Staff Assistant 2 classification by work performed in support of a specific Program.
Job Description:
The following documents are required to be submitted with your application. Applications that do not include all required documents may not be considered: • Resume • Cover Letter
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Guardian Monitoring Program:
Assesses needs and provides information and technical assistance to professional and non-professional guardians.
Identifies needed forms and documents and assists guardians in complying with statutory requirements, local court rules, court procedures, including meeting reporting requirements and possible consequences for failure to comply.
Reviews documents prior to filing in the Clerk’s Office.
Reviews court files and reports completed by volunteers.
Determines if additional information is needed from the guardian or if the report is ready for Court Commissioner approval or a court hearing is required.
Assists the Coordinator with recruiting, training and assigning work to volunteers and interns who provide program services.
Prepares and reviews files to maintain adequate workload for volunteers.
Assists in the development and distribution of guardianship information packets, brochures, and instructional materials related to responsibilities and court requirements.
Creates individualized legal documents for Court Commissioners.
Assists Coordinator in providing public liaison and media relations representation with the public, attorneys, pro se litigants, state agencies, family law staff and the Clerk’s Office.
Processes court orders including conforming copies, emailing and/or calling people to pick up supporting documents.
In the absence of the Court Coordinator, performs limited duties for: weekly dockets (compiling, emailing dockets and attending hearings), Court Visitor Registry (assignments, hearing dates and initialing Orders Appointing Court Visitors).
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
Criminal Coordinator Program:
Attends and facilitates in-custody (Jail Video Courtroom) and out of custody (Chief Criminal Courtroom) first appearance, arraignment, Early Case Resolution, and pretrial dockets to schedule hearings and generate orders using computer software on multiple calendars for a variety of appointment types, as ordered by the Court.
Advises the Court and counsel of related case information.
Assists judicial officers and their staff with procedural clarification, as needed.
Monitors pretrial and trial dates in accordance with court rules and legal compliance, including maintaining the scheduling grid in SuperCal.
Edits, corrects and makes available the grid to the Court and legal counsel, as needed.
Maintains order in the jail courtroom.
Tracks and maintains information regarding active felony cases, while monitoring the pending caseload.
Coordinates transport needs with counsel and defendants to ensure efficiency and fluency of the docket.
Coordinates, monitors and tracks hearing requirements specific to defendants under medical isolation.
Provides information and technical assistance to counsel and defendants.
Assists with the completion of court required documents.
Ensures documents are picked up and/or delivered to the appropriate source for processing.
Works with multiple courtrooms and ensures the Judicial Assistant is up to date on any changes that have been made when another department is covering the dockets.
Assists the coordinator with training of other staff on program processes; attends meetings, drafts and distributes minutes to appropriate parties, as requested or needed.
Drafts weekly report(s) for the coordinator.
Maintains and troubleshoots courtroom computer and video equipment, in coordination with the Information Systems Department (ISD).
Moves and sets up equipment as needed and directed by the coordinator.
Monitors all criminal cases, specifically those with bonds posted, for purposes of implementing forfeiture procedures and notifying the bond company within statutory and regulatory time frames.
Advises the Bond Judge and/or other Superior Court judges when defendants fail to appear and prepares forfeiture paperwork when applicable; notifies the Court Coordinator and Bond Judge of the status of bond companies as it relates to payment of forfeitures; communicates with the Prosecutor’s Office regarding forfeiture procedures.
Researches case status for purposes of filing exoneration of bond paperwork for the Bond Judge’s approval, faxing exonerations to bail bond companies and filing same in court file.
Coordinates with the County Clerk’s Office relative to monitoring the status of bonds, including the refund of bonds.
Prepares reports regarding various bond status actions for all criminal cased filed in Superior Court.
Updates the list of eligible bond companies and their agents as needed throughout the year; monitors the justification of all bond companies annually.
Transmits court orders regarding bond company suspensions, agent suspensions, forfeitures and other orders to respective parties associated with the operation of bond companies or their agents.
Responds to requests from prosecutors, public defenders, bond companies, jail staff and other agencies, regarding the status of defendants and their bonds.
Collaborates with ISD to maximize utilization and enhance the case/bond tracking applications.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
Family Court Facilitator Program
Acts as an intermediary between the superior court and the public or other clients providing information or policy interpretation regarding a wide variety of sensitive issues requiring the highest degree of tact, judgment and confidentiality. May receive and resolve or refer citizen complaints. Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; answers inquiries in person and in written correspondence or may interview people regarding problems or complaints.
Assesses needs and provides information and technical assistance to pro-se litigants. Identifies needed forms and documents and assists pro-se litigants in complying with statutory requirements, local court rules, court procedures, including meeting reporting requirements and possible consequences for failure to comply.
Assists in the development and distribution of pro-se information packets, brochures, and instructional materials related to responsibilities and court requirements.
Refers litigants to legal assistance, social services, or other community services, as appropriate. Updates and maintains community referral lists for family law related issues, providing instruction and training sources as appropriate.
Assists pro-se litigants in filing appropriate paperwork, including but not limited to summons and petitions, notice of hearing, declarations, contempt affidavits, general orders, motions, and certificates of service for Dissolution, Parenting Plan, Parentage, Minor Guardianship/Emergency Minor Guardianship, Contempt, Modification of Parenting Plan, Modification of Child Support, Modification of Non-Parental Custody, Temporary Orders, Emergency Temporary Orders, Motion to Vacate, Motion to Terminate/Modify Temporary Orders, Motion for Revision, Motion for Reconsideration actions.
Educates and/or trains pro-se litigants, members of the public, and other staff members in various petitions, processes, local and state court rules, local policies, requirements, and forms. Assists with questions and paperwork as necessary.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
An Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, Communications, Social Sciences or a related field, AND
Two years of administrative experience, including one (1) year in a court, judicial or legal setting.
An equivalent combination of related education, training and/or experience providing the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of Superior Court rules, practices, procedures, laws and regulations, legal terminology and case processing procedures as they pertain to various aspects of the assigned program.
Knowledge of research procedures and statistical analysis.
Knowledge of computer applications and utilization in a court environment.
Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, agencies and the public.
Ability to prepare and/or assist in the completion and distribution of reports, forms, notices and other court documents accurately, appropriately and effectively.
Ability to work independently within program parameters and expectations.
Ability to work quickly, accurately and thoroughly with close attention to detail.
Ability to exercise careful judgment, diplomacy and tact and perform all tasks with confidentiality
Ability to communicate and work effectively with persons of diverse ages, social, economic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
Ability to work efficiently and effectively under stressful circumstances.
Ability to use standard office equipment including, phones, copiers, calculators, fax machines, computer and related software applications.
BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS
All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:
Respect: Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness. Communicating in a productive and professional manner.
Accountability: Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
Integrity: Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
Innovation: Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate
Total Compensation:
$63,072 - $88,312 Annually
Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.
Please select the link below to view Spokane County Benefits: