Court Assistant, Mental Health Probation

Salary: $3,915.00 - $5,208.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time Employee
Job Number: 07R01669
Department: District Court
Opening Date: 01/10/2024
Closing Date: 2/4/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME DC
Summary of Duties
Thurston County District Court is looking for a highly motivated, community and customer service oriented, positive individual for the position of Court Assistant I. The responsibilities of this position encompass a wide variety of clerical activities associated with case processing and requires technical knowledge in aspects of court operations. This position operates as the Court Assistant for Mental Health Probation services. The successful candidate will identify customer needs, explain court procedures and protocols, respond to requests, and ask questions to elicit information from customers to assist them in identifying and obtaining required forms and documents.
Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Review incoming documents for completeness according to established procedures. Verify documents for accuracy identifying inconsistency with statutes and assist customers with technical information for compliance.
• Assist the public including attorneys, law enforcement, court, and community agencies by answering inquiries, explaining regulations, procedures, and complex requirements of the judicial process.
• Analyze case specifications and assist in the selection of appropriate mandatory forms required to proceed in court.
• Evaluate customer's need for domestic violence, harassment and/or restraining orders and assist customers in the preparation of documents for emergency matters. Issue warrants, summons, subpoenas, notices and hearings, writs of garnishments, and other legal documents as ordered by the court.
• File and record legal documents with the appropriate officials and agencies; distribute orders and report as required.
• Verify and receipt legal financial obligations, bail, PR slips, judgments, court fines and fees ensuring monies are recorded per statutes.
• Post cash receipts and balance cash register using accounting practices and procedures.
• Review and input pertinent case information into statewide database. Identify appropriate RCWs, court rules and procedures before entering judgments.
• Track and monitor files as prescribed and close files according to policies and procedures.
• Recall arrest warrants, adjudicate FTAs, extend payment dates on time payment plans. Set up and monitor case files to ensure timely action or review.
• Track, log and monitor activities of cases processed. Generate reports and provide information to affiliated agencies for program compliance.
• Provide information as allowed to agencies requesting specific defendant information and case disposition.
• Assist with the preparation of court calendar (dockets) and assemble case documentation for court hearings.
• May serve as backup to other department support positions.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED, and two years of progressively responsible clerical support experience in a court or legal environment and customer service experience or training.
• Typing speed of 45 wpm and ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval and tracking, and other essential job functions.

Desired Skills

• Associate degree in law, business, or another related field; paralegal certification; or legal certificate.
• Knowledge of bookkeeping principles and practices.

Other Position Related Information
Questions about this recruitment?
The contact person is Raul Salazar (360) 754-4458
This position is:
- Eligible for benefits
- Represented by a Union
- Classified as eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Contingent upon passing a background investigation
Items required for consideration: - Application
- Resume
- Letter of Interest
Thurston County provides a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees. The following is a brief summary of available benefits offered to county employees. Benefits are subject to change and may differ according to collective bargaining agreements. Plan documents and eligibility requirements are provided upon hire. This information is subject to change at anytime.
Health Care Benefits:
Thurston County provides medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage for all regular full-time employees enrolled in the County's standard plans. For regular part-time employees, who work less than 75% of an FTE, the county pays a pro-rated portion of the cost for medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
Medical
Thurston County provides medical benefits through the Washington State's Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). Plan availability is based on county of residence. Each year the County determines the standard and non-standard plans. For standard plans, the County pays the full employee premium.
Dental
Dental plans are provided through the Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF). Employees have the opportunity to choose between two plans, Delta Dental, a preferred provider plan or Willamette Dental, an HMO plan.
Vision
Thurston County employees have Vision Service Plan coverage through the Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF). Employees also have additional vision coverage through their medical plan.
Life Insurance
The County provides each regular, full-time employee with a basic, term life plan of $36,000 life insurance and $36,000 accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Additional voluntary, supplemental life insurance and AD&D insurance is available as a payroll deduction.
Dependent Coverage
Eligible dependents may be added to all coverage listed above. Depending upon the bargaining unit, the County pays up to a specific maximum amount toward dependent coverage with the employee paying any amount above the County maximum contribution.
Pension Plans:
Retirement
Eligible Thurston County employees participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems' pension plans (PERS, PSERS, or LEOFF). With the exception of PERS plan 3, all of these plans are "defined benefit" plans with retirement benefits based on your average compensation and earned service credits. PERS Plan 3 is a hybrid plan incorporating both "defined benefit" and "defined contribution" elements. These plans are funded by both employer and employee contributions.
Deferred Compensation
The County offers three voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan. Deferred compensation plans are 457 plans as defined by IRS regulations.
Holiday and Leave Programs:
Paid Leave
Thurston County offers two leave plans, Alternative leave and Traditional leave. In the Alternative Leave program, leave is accrued per pay period and may be used for vacation and/or sick leave purposes. Employees in the Traditional Leave program accrue both sick leave and annual leave each pay period.
Thurston County Observed Holidays
Eleven paid are observed by Thurston County. Depending on union contract, regular employees receive one floating holiday and one Community Service Day each calendar year, or two floating holidays each calendar year.
Other County Paid Benefits:
Long Term Disability (LTD)
The county's long term disability plan provides a monthly benefit of 60% of your monthly base salary up to $6,000 per month after a waiting period of 90 days of disability.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employees and immediate family members are eligible to receive confidential, professional counseling assessment and referral services through First Choice Health. The employee assistance program can assist and respond to all kinds of requests for counseling assessment and life concerns, such as, relationship concerns, family problems, alcohol and drug abuse problems, financial crisis, identification theft, general stress, caregiver burnout, depression, etc. Services are available 24-hours per day, 7-days per week.
Additional Voluntary Benefits:
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses. Section 125 FSAs allow you to pay for allowable health-related and/or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Short Term Disability
The County's short term disability plan is meant to assist with temporary periods of disability, as well as bridge the 90 day waiting period before the County's Long Term Disability begins. It provides a benefit of 60% of employees weekly base salary up to $1,000 per week after a waiting period of 30 days.
Worksite Plans:

• Accident Insurance is designed to help pay for costs not covered by employee health insurance when injured due to an accident.
• Hospital Indemnity will pay a lump sum if an employee is admitted to the hospital, and will pay a lump sum for each day your are inpatient, to a maximum of 15 days per year.
• Critical Illness will pay a lump sum if you are diagnosed with certain serious conditions. Cancer, heart attack, and stroke are a few of the listed conditions in this policy.

Electronic Payroll Savings with TreasuryDirect
County employees can invest in TreasuryDirect electronic savings bonds (Series I and EE) by requesting a payroll deduction. Monthly deductions are forwarded to the Federal Reserve, which enables employees to buy and redeem electronic savings bonds directly from the United States Treasury Department.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Thurston County is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act. Employees may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness.
Additional Benefits
The County also offers direct deposit, credit union memberships, a Commute Trip Reduction Program, and other miscellaneous benefits.
Please click for more information or visit the Thurston County Benefits website: