Superior Court Judicial Assistant

Job Summary This position works 37.
5 hours per week.
The position allocated to this class is responsible for providing confidential, specialized administrative support duties including, prioritization, coordination and management of the calendaring and case flow of all assigned cases as well as all related administrative and clerical functions in direct support and under the general direction of a Superior Court Judge or designee.
Employees must be able to coordinate and complete a variety of complex confidential administrative and technical tasks with minimal supervision.
This classification is confidential in nature; incumbents are considered at-will, serving at the pleasure of the Court.
Incumbents are expected to maintain a close working relationship with the Judge to whom they are assigned.
NOTE: This is an "at will" position serving at the pleasure of Judge Charnelle Bjelkengren, Dept.
2, Spokane County Superior Court.
The judicial assistant is responsible for case management, scheduling of all cases for the judge, and must learn several database applications, be responsive to the public and to attorneys practicing before the Court.
Judicial Assistants are entitled to the same paid six weeks off as the Judge.
Examples of Duties Coordinates court proceedings, and court participants, including: Defendants, Attorneys, Judges, Clerks, Jurors, witnesses, interpreters, law enforcement, and Jail Transport.
Coordinates, plans and manages complex and varied database applications and programs for the calendaring and case flow functions for the Court Department.
Serves as primary liaison between the Superior Court, government agencies, attorneys, litigants, jurors, law enforcement, victims and members of the public regarding matters assigned to Court Department.
Independently reviews, analyzes, prioritizes and responds to requests for Court assistance.
Provides information to attorneys and pro-se litigants regarding case status and disposition.
Reviews incoming case material for potential conflicts of interest, exparte communications and other confidential matters.
Prepares correspondence and schedules status conferences or court hearings as appropriate.
Drafts Orders and related court documents as directed.
Manages, tracks and maintains information regarding pending caseload and prepares tracking reports.
Evaluates case status, recommends and/or implements appropriate action.
Reviews assigned cases to assist the Judge in determining priority for trial, and coordinates with the Superior Court Administration regarding brokering overflow matters.
Ensures compliance with and manages pretrial and trial requirements.
Modifies status of cases on case management system based on information received from parties.
Oversees security and administrative issues within the Department, coordinating with the Superior Court Administrator’s Office, law enforcement and Jury Management to best facilitate the overall use of court time, personnel and jurors.
Responsible for caseload follow up to ensure timely completion and resolution of assigned cases.
Serves as liaison with the media and the public on any matters that are of media interest.
Directs activities to ensure compliance with media protocol issued by the court.
Supervises jury activity with full responsibility for assuring the comfort and deportment of jurors assigned to the judicial department.
This includes, but is not limited to 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.
Operates electronic recording and communication systems for official court proceedings.
Maintains confidentiality of all sensitive reports, correspondence, conversations, special inquiries, closed proceedings or other confidential matters.
Coordinates security measures and transport of in-custody defendants with Courthouse Security, the Court Administrator’s Office, the Sheriff’s Department and/or the Department of Corrections.
Provides other confidential administrative support for the judge.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
Minimum Requirements Associate’s Degree from an accredited college in a legal support professional, paralegal or related field.
Additional experience may be substituted, year for year, for education.
Two (2) years of related experience, such as a legal secretary or paralegal, in a legal field or court environment.
Incumbents are required to enter into a confidentiality agreement at the time of hire and maintain compliance throughout employment.
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s License if required by the position.
Selection Factors Knowledge of the practices, procedures and policies of calendaring, case flow management and jury management.
Knowledge of related legal terminology, laws, codes, and court rules governing pertinent functions of the judicial system.
Knowledge of computer applications and utilization in a court environment.
Knowledge of Video equipment 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 work relationships with judges, attorneys, agencies, the media, other County employees and the public.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters and situations; maintain a high degree of confidentiality and trustworthiness at all times.
Ability to receive, prioritize and fulfill directions from the court and be entirely responsible for completion of assigned tasks in a reliable, accurate and timely fashion.
Ability to perform a variety of independent research and analysis activities.
Ability to exercise initiative and judgment, and work independently with little or no direction.
Ability to establish and maintain a close working relationship with the judge to whom they are assigned.
Ability to work efficiently and effectively under stressful circumstances.
Ability to operate office equipment including copy machine, fax machine, recording equipment, computer equipment and related software programs as needed in the court environment.
Ability to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously.
SPOKANE COUNTYEmployee Benefits Summary The following is a brief list of benefits available to Spokane County regular employees.
Complete information is available from Human Resources Department.
This information is subject to change.
PAID TIME OFFSpokane County Observed HolidaysUp to 10 (ten) paid holidays are observed by Spokane County.
PTONon-represented and a select group of represented employees receive a bank of hours that combine both vacation and sick leave into a paid time off bank.
There is no waiting period to use this time and it starts out at almost 2 days per month accrual increasing in accrual rates annually for first 5 years.
VacationFor employees with less than five (5) years of continuous service, the accrual rate is 1 day of vacation each month for a total of 12 days per year.
After six (6) months, employees are eligible to take accumulated vacation time.
(Please note the vacation time accumulation may vary depending on contract language).
Sick LeaveSick leave is earned at 1 day per month and can be taken as the days are accumulated.
Other LeavesSpokane County provides several other paid leaves such as: bereavement leave, jury duty and military duty leave.
INSURANCE BENEFITSMedical InsuranceTwo plans are currently available: Premera Blue Cross (PPO) and Kaiser Permanente (HMO).
Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents.
Premiums are deducted each pay period (pay periods: 15th and last day of the month).
2023 Rates: Premera Employee Only: $38.
04 per month Employee & Spouse: $149.
52 per month Employee & Family: $209.
60 per month Employee & Child(ren): $136.
16 per month Kaiser:Employee: $35.
92 per monthEmployee & Spouse: $140.
56 per month Employee & Family: $196.
06 per month Employee & Child(ren): $128.
58 per month Dental InsuranceTwo plans are currently available: Delta Dental of Washington (PPO) and Willamette Dental (DMO).
Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents.
2023 Rates: Delta Dental Willamette DentalEmployee: $5.
74 per month Employee: $5.
98 per monthFamily: $11.
48 per month Family: $11.
96 per month Group Life InsuranceThe County provides a $25,000 group life insurance policy to employees.
The County provides a $10,000 benefit for those represented by 492, 492CS & 492CL.
This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.
Long Term Disability CoverageProvides an income protection benefit in the event of a long-term illness or injury at rate of 60% of income up to a maximum of $5,000 per month.
Spokane County pays the full premium for this plan.
Deputy Sheriff's receive a benefit through their union for disability.
RETIREMENT Retirement Plan (401a)Spokane County employees are automatically included in the Washington State Retirement System.
Both the employer and the employee contribute to the plan.
This retirement plan provides a guaranteed lifetime monthly benefit once vested and eligible for retirement.
Additional Retirement Plan Option (457b)Employees may supplement their retirement income and save money on taxes by participating in this optional County program.
Roth (after-tax) option is also available through this retirement plan.
VOLUNTARY BENEFITS AFLACSupplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay for benefits not covered by major medical insurance.
The employee pays 100% of the premium.
Travel AssistanceProvides additional travel protections anytime you travel more than 100 miles from home.
Includes pre-trip information, emergency ticket replacement, and emergency evacuation coverage.
This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.
Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)Spokane County sponsors a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account to allow out-of-pocket Medical & Daycare Expenses to be paid with Tax Free Dollars.
Premiums are automatically set up pre-tax under the FSA.
Voluntary Term Life InsuranceVoluntary Term Life Insurance is additional optional life insurance provided through The Standard Insurance.
New employees are guaranteed up to $50,000 for self and $20,000 for a spouse with no medical underwriting needed.
WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS Employee Assistance ProgramEmployees and their family members are eligible to receive free counseling.
There are also benefits relating to financial and legal concerns.
Reduced Cost Bus Pass ProgramSpokane County participates in a program with STA which discounts bus passes to $5 a month.
Wellness ProgramsThere are opportunities for nearby exercise programs at reduced cost and education programs around wellness themes including financial well-being, nutrition and stress reduction.
DiscountsThere are local and national discounts available to Spokane County employees.
Agency Spokane County Address 824 N Adams Spokane, Washington, 99260 Phone 509-477-5750 Website https://www.
spokanecounty.
org/employment