Juvenile Court Specialist

This position is responsible for office coordination, administrative and complex technical legal operations. Responsibilities include prioritizing, assigning, and overseeing the work of assigned staff, implementing procedural changes, and assuring efficient workflow.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

Independently supervises the daily operations of a specific program or court support function; develops office forms and clerical procedures and performs administrative tasks involving personnel, daily operations, and bookkeeping. Schedules and maintains calendar for hearings, trials, interviews, DNA, meetings, and appointments. Responsibility for oversight and administration of grants. Greets and assists the public, staff, and other agencies by phone or in-person by providing detailed and/ or technical information as authorized; refers inquiries and visitors to appropriate department or individual when necessary Attends court as necessary to assist and/ or provide support to the bench, clerks, attorneys, and probation counselors. Prepares, maintains and updates detailed files, records, dockets, and logs on computerized and manual recordkeeping systems; verifies data, then enters and edits reports or information; searches files and records for readily identifiable information as directed; monitors inactive files, updates records and destroys as authorized. Coordinates functions of the unit during the Court Administrator's absence. Oversees the setting and corresponding notification to appropriate parties of court trial calendar for trials, hearings, motions, or arguments, assuring compliance with Washington State Codes and statutory requirements for due process and timely hearings; assures timely preparation of daily court files and verifies that Judges receive correct Court papers for hearings, trials, etc. Independently prepares, composes, and/or processes a variety of detailed legal documents and correspondence from brief instructions or notes using Microsoft Office products; verifies, edits and formats documents and correspondence. Analyzes incoming court orders, legal documents, and requests for action; determines appropriate action and processes; accordingly. Assures that all court action, diversion, and case assignment data is entered into computer system in a timely and accurate manner . Oversees and/or participates in the development and tracking of case files from filing to clearing; assures accurate, detailed, and complete case files and records, inclusion of all pertinent information from sources and compliance with Court records regulations. Collects, selects, classifies, and compiles data from varied sources and makes summary reports. May involve complex statistical calculations and tabulations in accordance with established formulas and equations, or analysis and interpretation of data. Initiates completion of regularly recurring reports; maintains accumulative, statistical records, making periodic audits as necessary; maintains follow up system on reports and other forms requiring action on a periodic basis, assuring timely action and/or review. Responds to, or oversees response to, inquiries and complaints regarding services provided; assures that appropriate information is provided, and problems are resolved. Participates in planning and organizing legal and court procedures Remains current on legislation, legal requirements, and ordinances affecting unit operations and advises subordinates of any applicable changes in procedures to reflect revised legal requirements. Enters, updates, and/or deletes data on Local and State computerized records as appropriate to provide and maintain accurate files, records, and logs. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of court procedures, legal processes, the criminal justice system, secretarial and office practices. Comprehensive understanding of Grant writing and administration processes Thorough knowledge of legal terminology, forms, and documents. Knowledge of office practices, procedures, and equipment. Specific knowledge of department functions, procedures, and related legal regulations and requirements. Knowledge of basic math. Skill in operating standard office equipment and computer programs. Excellent oral communication skills to explain detailed and technical policies and procedures and to deal with other employees, law enforcement agencies, attorneys,and the public using courtesy, tact, and good judgment. Ability to maintain the security and confidentiality of records and information. Ability to read, understand, apply, and explain complex County/department policies and procedures. Ability to work independently, organizing work with minimal supervision. Ability to establish and maintain complex manual and computerized filing and recordkeeping systems. Ability to work quickly, accurately, and thoroughly while paying close attention to detail and meeting deadlines. Ability to interpret and prepare accurate legal documents, forms, correspondence, and records, using accurate business English, composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Ability to type at the level required for the specific position. Knowledge of basic math, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide accurately. Ability to prioritize workloads and coordinate clerical and office elements of unit operations, assuring timely and efficient completion of work assignments. Ability to establish and maintain complex, specialized manual and computerized filing and recordkeeping systems and prepare narrative reports based thereon. Ability to work quickly, accurately, and thoroughly with close attention to detail to meet deadlines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work may be performed in the following environmental conditions: constantly: in an office or courtroom environment, and occasionally: near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, a typical office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The person in this position must be able to spend the following amount of time in an activity: constantly: sit for extended periods of time and use hands and/or fingers to handle, feel, or operate equipment or tools, and frequently: talk or hear and reach with hands and arms, and occasionally: stand or walk for extended periods of time, climb, pull, push or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. have peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, and have close vision (1-20 inches) and distance vision (20 feet or more).

Education:

High School diploma or GED, Notary License preferred.

Experience:

Three years of progressively responsible clerical experience, including two years of legal office or court experience. In lieu of the listed qualifications, we will consider any combination of education and experience which provides the candidate with desired knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the job.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must have a valid driver's license if utilizing County vehicle Having a notary public license is helpful.

OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER

The statements herein describe the principal functions of this job, level of knowledge and skills typically required, scope of responsibility, work requirements and working conditions, but are not all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties and Franklin County, Washington reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties, and assign other duties as necessary, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.