SUPERIOR COURT COMMISSIONER

The salary for this position is: $16,168.48 monthly.

Thurston County Superior Court is currently seeking a candidate for the position of Superior Court Commissioner. Thurston County is a state trial court of general jurisdiction. The Court has state-wide jurisdiction and hears major criminal matters, civil cases including cases involving real property, domestic relations matters, appeals from lower courts (Thurston County District and Municipal Courts), and appeals from state administrative agencies.

This is an at-will, exempt position that serves at the pleasure of the judges to assist the court with the administration of justice. Additionally, incumbents in this position cannot engage in active practice of law during employment with the court.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducts court calendars; presides over hearings; makes rulings, findings, judgments, and orders. Rules on matters ex parte.
• Deals tactfully and effectively in emotional and adversarial proceedings.
• As assigned, presides over proceedings in various judicial areas, which may include hearing family law, civil protection orders (domestic violence, vulnerable adult, unlawful harassment, stalking, extreme risk, and sexual assault), juvenile law, unlawful detainer, involuntary treatment act matters, probate, and guardianship as well as other matters as delegated by the Board of Judges.
• Reviews court files, documents, authorities, and related materials to assess cases before and after hearings; prepares court orders, records, reports, correspondence, and other written materials pertaining to case findings.
• Defines issues, performs legal research, analyzes problems, evaluates alternatives, and makes appropriate findings and recommendations.
• Presides over and manages court proceedings in an efficient and respectful manner.
• Prepares clear and concise decisions and summaries of factual and legal issues in oral and written forms, both to attorneys and self-represented parties.
• Effectively represents the Court in contacts with the public, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and other government jurisdictions.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships. Works well with the public and staff, including employees of court administration, the Clerk’s Office, and the jail.
• Understands current social and economic problems and the way in which those problems affect youth and families.
• Understands and abides by the Code of Judicial Conduct and other ethical mandates.
• There are three constitutional Commissioner positions in Thurston County Superior Court.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – The Court Commissioner position is based in a professional, courthouse environment. Commissioners are assigned to work within the courthouse, which may involve a combination of offices, courtrooms, and other areas of the building. The work setting can be busy, with frequent interactions with legal professionals, litigants, court staff, and the public. The atmosphere is typically formal, with an emphasis on maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and adherence to legal procedures. The role requires a significant amount of sitting, but may also involve occasional walking, standing, and movement between courtrooms, offices, or meeting areas.
• Schedule - Full-time, with a standard workweek of 40 hours. Court sessions typically occur during regular business hours of 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday. Extended hours may occasionally be required to accommodate case preparation, warrant phone coverage, or to meet deadlines.
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings.
Customer Interactions - There may be frequent interactions with members of the public, including witnesses, defendants, attorneys, and families, some of whom may be experiencing high levels of stress or frustration.

WHO WE ARE:

Thurston County Superior Court has nine full-time elected judges who sit on all matters and three full-time Superior Court Commissioners who sit primarily in Family & Juvenile Court on domestic relations and domestic violence cases. Family & Juvenile Court, a department of Superior Court, hears juvenile offender matters as well as child dependency cases. Family & Juvenile Court also operates a juvenile detention facility.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values.

HAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays .
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA ) : Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com .

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an ABA accredited law school or successful completion of the APR 6 Law Clerk program and five (5) years of relevant experience in the area(s) of assignment.
• Active or judicial membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar
  Association, admitted to practice for at least five years before appointment, unless periods of inactive membership are due to previously holding a judicial position.
• Must successfully pass criminal background and reference checks.
• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must be able to operate a computer with applicable software, and office equipment to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Must be knowledgeable in: legal principles and precedents and their application; statutory and constitutional law of Washington State, particularly in the legal areas to which they are assigned; and principles of family, civil, criminal, and constitutional law.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Judge Thomas, Chief Judge, Family and Juvenile Court at 360-709-3215.

This position is:

• Appointed
• Not represented by a union
• Eligible for benefits
• Not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Contingent upon passing a background investigation

Items requested for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Supplemental Questions
• Thurston County Superior Court Commissioner Application: HERE
  

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.