Court Clerk

About the Position
Under general direction, performs professional accounting activities and functions for the City in assigned area of responsibility; manages the day-to-day general ledger activity; reviews and posts transactions and general ledger changes;  participates in the preparation of the City’s annual budget and financial report; monitors internal controls; reconciles cash and investments; performs accounting functions in accordance with established general principles and practices of accounting; ensures accuracy and confidentiality of information; and maintains professional and accounting standards at all times.

New hires generally start between $5,852.00 and $6,452.00 per month. Placement within the position’s full wage scale is based on qualifications and professional experience. The full wage scale for this position is between $5,852.00 and $7,469.00 per month.

Job Description: Court Clerk

About the Court
Edmonds Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that hears all levels of misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and violations of other civil ordinances. The beautiful courthouse is located in the City's public safety building and boasts natural light and ample space. The Honorable Neil Weiss is the current presiding judge. The staff consists of one probation officer and four full-time equivalent clerks. 

About the City 
The City of Edmonds is a beautiful community on the Puget Sound waterfront with a population of 43,420 (MRSC, 2024) and is the gateway to the Olympic peninsula via the state ferry system. Edmonds provides a full range of services, including contracted fire services, police services a municipal court, a community pool, a regional performing arts facility, public works and utilities, a regional wastewater treatment facility, along with community events and services through our Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Six department directors report directly to the Mayor and oversee approximately 279 full–time-equivalent employees. 


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares and processes all assigned court work in a timely manner ensuring accuracy and completeness of information and attending to deadlines and/or specified timelines.
• Assigns cases to docket and enters the case data into case management system.
• Ensures court rules and procedures are followed as cases are processed and sets schedules, arraignments, hearings, and trials.
• Prepares and mails out documents such as notices and final orders.
• Tracks cases to ensure compliance with case type and sentencing requirements and follows through with necessary steps including the following: orders to show cause, bench warrants, pleadings, and rule extensions.
• Maintains warrant control, issues, recalls, processes, and purges warrants. 
• Coordinates with law enforcement agencies regarding warrant status and the recovery of original warrants in order to protect defendants within multiple jurisdictions against potential false arrest.
• Processes closing of cases when appropriate. 
• Receipts and distributes all incoming monies and balances and reconciles daily cash receipts and files receipt of fees into appropriate case file.
• Reviews various reports and issues failure to appear notices and other related notices.
• Refers recall cases to collections, writes off amounts past statute and waives balances for parking early payments, processes letters to Judge regarding cases in collections and mails responses.
• Performs duties mandated by domestic Violence Legislation under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington State Rules of Court which includes set hearings within 24 hours, prepares certified No-Contact Orders; ensures order is accurate and signed by defendant.  
• Delivers and/or provides a certified copy of order to law enforcement, SNO COM and the victim; enters order correctly into JIS computer system; notifies the Domestic Violence Advocate of any potential hearings regarding the order.
• Provides general information and customer assistance at the counter or via telephone to attorneys, law enforcement, other judicial agencies, reporters, defendants, and the general public.
• Addresses concerns and questions for all who come to the front counter and assists defendants in navigating through the legal process.
• Reviews the defendant’s case financial history for reconciliation to sentencing penalty.
• Maintains and files documents into case files, copies, faxes, date stamps and files documents.
• May prepare exhibits and hard copy case files.
• Processes and distributes mail.
• Files case documents in appropriate file destination and enters into case management system; provides backup to other court personnel as needed or directed.
• Research files for case status data and provides accurate information.
• Sets assigned calendars and ensures judicial calendars are maintained.
• Completes all phases of juror notification including preparing, mailing, and processing replies to juror questionnaires.
• Readies juror pool and monitors jurors on the day of the trial; sets up and prepares courtroom for hearings including computer and recording equipment set-up and assembling calendars for all parties to ensure files are available for the Judge.
• Researches and processes public records requests.
• Cross trains in other court services areas as assigned and may serve in other related capacities in support of court services, coordinates and schedules meetings.
• Communicates with various outside agencies by phone or mail including Lynnwood Jail, Snohomish County Jail, DUI victims’ panel and other agencies.

• Performs general filing duties including criminal and infraction files and miscellaneous paperwork developed during court proceedings.
• Reviews jail rosters and refer cases to the Judge for review and docket decision.
• Assists with other miscellaneous duties such as assisting with and executing passports.
• Orders and monitors office supplies; drafts and mails letters to defendants, audits citations/tickets and drafts explanatory documents for defendants. 

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED Certificate AND
• Three years of experience performing broad office clerical, data processing, records maintenance, and/or customer service counter work that includes heavy customer service, reviewing and tracking a variety of legal documents, preparing reports and calendars, and receiving and processing fees; preferably in a court or legal setting; OR
• an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Some positions may be required to possess or obtain a US Department of State Passport Certification within 3 months after hire.
• A criminal background check is required following a verbal offer of employment. Criminal history is not an automatic employment disqualifier. Results are reviewed on a case-by case basis.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environment:

• Office and courtroom environment.
• Constant interruptions.

Physical Abilities:

• Hearing, speaking or otherwise communicating to exchange information in person and on the telephone
• Operating a computer keyboard or other office equipment.
• Reading and understanding a variety of materials.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling, crouching, reaching above shoulders, and horizontally or otherwise positioning oneself to accomplish tasks.
• Sitting or otherwise remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Lifting/carrying or otherwise moving or transporting up to 10lbs.

Hazards:

• Contact with dissatisfied or potentially abusive individuals.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and illness from defendants and others in the courtroom, and court office.

Salary : $5,852 - $7,469