Justice Court Clerk

Announcement# 2025-012

Closing Date: April 10, 2025

Salary: $4,804 - $5,789, per month.

The JUSTICE COURT CLERK position is full-time, 40 hours, FLSA non-exempt, Civil Service, and Union represented.

Columbia County has an opening for an organized self-starter to complement our Justice Court team in Vernonia. The Justice Court's jurisdiction includes, but is not limited to, citations issued by law enforcement agencies for traffic, boating, weighmaster, fish and game, and state and county parks violations, as well as city and county ordinances. The Justice of the Peace, an elected position with a term of six years, presides over the court.

DUTIES: Perform administrative duties to support the Justice Court Judge and ensure an efficient operation. Coordinate with law enforcement, attorneys, and defendants to schedule all hearings and trials as needed. Prepare and distribute notice of docket. Select jury panels for jury trials and notify appropriately. Attend all court proceedings and ensure defendants have signed in. Ensure the Judge has citations organized in the order in which people have signed in and process all paperwork following adjudication by the Judge, including class registration forms and payment plans. Accept payments as needed and answer defendant's questions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Equivalent to a high school diploma with specialized training as a legal secretary or assistant. Three years' of increasingly responsible experience as a court clerk or in a related field. Any satisfactory combination of experience and training, which demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted for the above requirements.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Team player willing to work collaboratively toward shared goals and be open to diverse ideas and perspectives. Receive constructive feedback in a positive manner.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must be able to obtain Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) certification and Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) certification within three months of hire. Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable under the county's liability policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY: Advanced knowledge of legal office practices and procedures, court proceedings, terminology, and related documents. Basic knowledge of bookkeeping practices.

Skill in business software programs and Microsoft Office products. Skill in virtual meeting platforms for court appearances, hearings, and trials.

Ability to:

• Organize, prioritize, and produce an accurate work product and meet deadlines. Maintain complete and accurate records.
• Express ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing. Use sound judgment.
• Adapt to change or new situations and openly acknowledge and work through conflict. Accept responsibility and be able to work well with ambiguity.
• Work independently and as a team.
• Act in such a manner as to maintain the confidentiality of the records and issues and other matters that may be encountered.
• Develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, county officials, and the general public.
• Pass LEDS and CJIS testing biannually.
• Prioritize and accomplish quickly and efficiently a large number of diverse tasks.
• Remain calm and use good judgement during confrontational or high-pressure situations.

Join our team - Columbia County online application must be completed - Apply today!

www.ColumbiaCountyOR.gov