Court Operations Associate (Jury Coordinator & Docketing Clerk)

$49,872 - $77,376/Yr

Judicial Department - Saint Helens, OR

Part-time - Entry Level

Saint Helens, OR

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities

About the position

The Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented individual for the position of Court Operations Associate (Jury Coordinator & Docketing Clerk) at the Columbia County Circuit Court in Saint Helens, Oregon. This full-time role is crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of court processes and providing essential support to jurors, litigants, and court staff. The successful candidate will play a vital role in determining individuals' eligibility for jury service, managing jury pools, and coordinating jury selection. This includes preparing lists of jurors for trials and grand juries, managing jury payroll, and updating the jury website. The position also involves answering complex jury-related questions from various stakeholders, including litigants and attorneys, thereby requiring excellent communication skills and a strong customer service orientation. In addition to jury coordination, the Court Operations Associate will serve as a Docketing Clerk, responsible for maintaining multiple complex court calendars, monitoring pending cases, and preparing dockets. This role includes arranging for the transport of in-custody defendants, verifying scheduled court interpreters, and scheduling hearings and court appearances. The associate will also assist defendants in completing applications for court-appointed attorneys, conducting brief financial interviews, and determining eligibility for legal assistance. The position requires meticulous attention to detail, as the associate will be responsible for reviewing pleadings for accuracy and completeness, entering documents into the case register, and monitoring reports. The work environment is dynamic and requires frequent interaction with individuals from diverse backgrounds, often in high-stress situations. The associate will need to maintain desk reference manuals, perform quality control checks, and handle difficult complaints and requests for information. This role is essential in supporting the court's mission to provide justice and uphold the rule of law, and it offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community.

Responsibilities

• Determine individuals' eligibility for jury service and create/manage jury pools.
• Communicate with jurors about appearances and procedures, and coordinate jury selection.
• Prepare lists of jurors for trials and grand juries, and manage jury payroll.
• Update the jury website and manage jury case management systems.
• Oversee and serve as a resource to empaneled jurors, answering complex jury-related questions.
• Maintain multiple complex court calendars and monitor pending cases as a Docketing Clerk.
• Prepare dockets and arrange for the transport of in-custody defendants.
• Verify scheduled court interpreters and schedule hearings and court appearances.
• Assign cases to judges and prepare/send notices of hearing dates and judge assignments.
• Assist defendants in completing applications for court-appointed attorneys and conduct brief financial interviews.
• Open and schedule new civil commitment cases, prepare court forms, and enter documents into the case register.
• Review pleadings for accuracy and completeness, monitor reports, and verify/enter judgments.
• Respond to difficult complaints and requests for information as the main phone operator.
• Collaborate with judges, court staff, litigants, attorneys, external agencies, and the public.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least three (3) years of responsible experience in a moderately complex office or business setting involving the processing of financial, administrative, or legal documents.
• Experience performing a variety of clerical or administrative support tasks with strict deadlines in a busy business or professional setting.
• Experience using a variety of software programs to access and input information and complete various tasks.
• Experience providing customer service to a variety of individuals in challenging circumstances.
• Skill in writing and reviewing documents for accuracy, content, grammar, and punctuation.
• Experience identifying and safeguarding confidential information and materials.
• Experience explaining processes, procedures, or policies.

Nice-to-haves

• Bilingual skills, including American Sign Language (ASL).

Benefits

• 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.
• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves.
• Optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• 5% allowance for bilingual skills if applicable and assigned to use those skills on the job.
• Potential eligibility for a 5% annual increase.