Court Clerk

Kitsap County is seeking a dedicated professional to fill this critical Court Clerk role that serves as the vital link between the judicial system, law enforcement, and the community we serve. This position offers an outstanding opportunity to advance your career in court administration while making a lasting impact on the administration of justice and public service in Kitsap County.

You'll be stepping into a fast-paced court environment that handles a diverse range of legal proceedings and public interactions, ready for someone with strong organizational skills and a commitment to accuracy to ensure the seamless operation of our court system. This role offers the perfect blend of technical legal knowledge, public service, meaningful community impact, and professional growth for an experienced professional ready to build their career in the judicial system.

As the Court Clerk, you may:

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of courtroom actions, including release of defendants, warrant processing, assignment of counsel, and management of legal documents and paperwork.
• Manage front-office legal processes by providing direct public assistance, accepting and processing civil and criminal documents, handling protection order petitions, processing payments, and supporting counter, phone, and chat services.
• Interpret and process legal documents in compliance with state statutes and state/local court rules, ensuring the highest standards of confidentiality and accuracy.
• Utilize specialized court software to evaluate, enter, process, and distribute legal documents, including programs interfacing with external vendors and the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts.
• Prepare and coordinate court calendars, correspondence, dockets, and other official documents, applying in-depth knowledge of specialized court procedures.
• Facilitate communication between the Court, the public, law enforcement, attorneys, and other agencies to maintain efficient case flow and high-quality service.
• Exercise independent judgment within established authority to support courtroom and administrative operations, ensuring adherence to timelines, guidelines, and legal requirements.

• Technical Background:  2 years of administrative/clerical office experience that includes providing a high level of customer service. Related education demonstrating required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job may substitute for up to six months of experience.
• Customer Service Excellence: Proven experience working with the public in a customer service role, essential for effectively assisting diverse community members, answering questions, and managing interactions with professionalism and empathy in a legal setting
  
• Communication & Public Service Skills: Strong interpersonal abilities to interact professionally with diverse audiences including judges, attorneys, law enforcement, and the public under sometimes stressful circumstances
• Organizational Excellence: Proven ability to manage time-sensitive workflows, maintain accurate records, and coordinate complex calendaring in a high-volume environment
• Additional Preferred Qualifications: 
  • Recent (within the past five years) experience working in the justice system, court administration, or a legal office setting.
  • Familiarity with Washington State court rules and procedures, including an understanding of how to interpret, apply, and follow local and statewide rules governing filings, deadlines, courtroom operations, and case processing.
  • Previous cashiering, cash handling, or retail experience
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, as used for document preparation, data entry, and daily administrative tasks.

• Meaningful Public Service: Play a direct role in ensuring fair access to justice and supporting the legal rights of individuals throughout the community.
• Collaborative, Mission-Driven Team: Join a dedicated group of professionals committed to integrity, accuracy, and exceptional public service.
• Professional Growth & Development: Gain exposure to courtroom operations, legal processes, and state-level judicial systems—ideal for individuals seeking to advance in court administration or the legal field.
• Stable & Supportive Work Environment: Enjoy predictable schedules, strong organizational support, and clear procedural frameworks that set you up for success.
• Diverse and Engaging Work: Experience a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same—balancing courtroom duties, public interaction, and legal document processing.
• Community Impact: Know that your daily work directly contributes to community safety, public trust, and the fair and timely functioning of the justice system.
• Competitive Benefits: Access a strong benefits package, retirement options, and employee wellness resources through Kitsap County.

For the complete job description: https://www.kitsap.gov/hr/JobClassifications/Court%20Clerk.pdf
For more information about District Court: https://www.kitsap.gov/dc/Pages/default.aspx

• Who May Apply: This position is open to the general public.? Applications will be screened for qualifications and completion of all the required materials and forms.? The most competitive applicants may be contacted for further steps in the selection process, which may include testing for office and computer skills.
• This position is classified as eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME 1308 and the Kitsap County Personnel Manual. Internal applicants should be aware that a change in union status or bargaining unit may impact your benefits and accruals.  Please contact Human Resources if you have questions.  Employees joining the union will be required to pay union dues through payroll deduction. Membership in the union is optional. 
• Prior to employment, the successful candidate must:  
  • Submit official transcripts from an accredited college or university or business school, if education is being used to meet the minimum qualifications.
  • Pass all job-related examinations/tests necessary to demonstrate required knowledge, skills and abilities, as determined by the hiring authority at time of job posting.
  • Authorize and complete a criminal background check. Information received is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove a candidate from consideration. 
• Kitsap County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.? We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Office.?
• This recruitment is being used to fill an existing open position and may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.
• Work hours for this position are Monday – Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  
• Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the application materials submitted. Per RCW 42.56.250, all applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant are exempt from public inspection.