Court Clerk

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Court Clerk

Salary

$62,192.00 Annually

Location

City of Bellingham, WA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

26-Court Clerk

Department

Municipal Court

Opening Date

02/06/2026

Closing Date

2/23/2026 4:30 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Local 1937

Description

Benefits

Questions

Nature of Work

Have you always thought that working in the Court system was only for judges and attorneys? There are many interesting opportunities and challenges available to you as a Court Clerk at Bellingham Municipal Court (https://cob.org/gov/court/about-court) . Join our team providing access to justice and excellent service to our community.

As a Court clerk you will perform courtroom operation functions which include scheduling and docketing; coordinating cases with the law and justice community and the public; and arrangements for bench and jury trials. Probation tracking functions include acting as the judge's liaison and compliance officer for court-ordered probation or evaluation processes, pre- or post-trial, involving misdemeanor offenders. Accounting functions include booking and adjusting court and parking fines, fees, time payment agreements, collection accounts, and Department of Licensing releases. Mail and counter receipting of cash, credit cards, and checks; daily reconciliation and preparation of bank deposits; intake of bail bonds and trust fund deposits. The Court Clerk works to minimize errors in court processes and procedures or identifies ethical breaches which may impact case disposition and involve substantial liability and judicial consequences for the citizen, City, or Court Clerk. The clerk ensures compliance with Washington State and local court rules and procedures by following designed procedures, processes and systems.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

This position will start at Step 1 ($29.90/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement (https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule) and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $29.90 - $39.01. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page (https://cob.org/about/employment/benefits) and labor agreements page. (https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule)

10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time

12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year

8 hours sick leave accrued monthly

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families

Life insurance and long-term disability coverage

Nine-month Seasonal employees do not receive Long Term Disability.

Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program

Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security

Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 2/23/2026 4:30 PM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Prepares file for use in court which, depending on particular cases, may include police reports, original citations, treatment data, correspondence, and other confidential information. Takes appropriate action to correct deficiencies. Determines appropriate reporting from the court to the various entities involved in the case as well as outside agencies and electronic data systems.

Assists the Municipal Court judge at all courthouse and jail hearings to ensure the integrity of court operations by recording proceedings, maintaining logs, marking exhibits, documenting findings, and processing orders of the court. Composes the narrative for the court docket. Establishes receivable accounts for fines and other court costs. Sets case tracking for order compliance.

Provides a full range of customer services to the public at the lobby counter. Receipts parking and court payments. Assists with completion of time payment and community service documents. Explains court findings, directives and collection procedures to defendants. Accepts warrant surrenders and notifies the court staff and/or law enforcement as needed. Reconciles cash drawer, clears the credit card reconciliation, prepares and seals the bank deposit documents. Verifies internal audit checks with other cashiers.

Exercises judgment in taking appropriate remedial action for recalling warrants, no contact orders, driver's license suspensions, or collection actions in situations that are in error or with unusual circumstances. Responsible for final verification and release of no contact orders, firearm orders, and arrest warrants to various law enforcement, state, and local agencies.

Acts as bailiff for jury trials. Assists judge in the jury selection process, records proceedings, marks and safeguards all exhibits and evidence. Responsible for set-up and maintenance of audio-visual equipment used in the proceedings.

Assists in scheduling hearings, pre-trial motions, bench and jury trials. Analyzes schedule for recommended modifications and resolves schedule conflicts with the attorneys, pro se defendants and law enforcement.

Under the guidance of applicable City, State, and Municipal codes, regulations, policies and procedures, assists with coordinating day-to-day activities, including making appropriate decisions for distribution of reports, hearing notices, and pertinent correspondence to the prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, and various other entities and individuals. Issues summonses and witness subpoenas. Assists in monitoring probationers to assure compliance with court orders. Corresponds with community agencies regarding probationers.

Responsible for the accuracy of the records pertaining to case dispositions and convictions. Certifies and enters judgments into the state and federal judicial information systems as permanent records. Issues driver's license suspension orders to the Department of Licensing and vehicle impound releases.

Screens and assigns individuals for indigent defense counsel by interviewing the defendant for personal financial data and analyzing the individual's ability to pay.

Researches and compiles defendant criminal and infraction histories and other ad hoc statistical reports from a variety of state and local electronic databases to support judicial hearings, decisions and public disclosure requests.

Prepares documents and digital recordings for response to individual or agency subpoenas. Testifies and certifies the authenticity of documents in Municipal, District, or Superior courts.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

Telephone responsibilities, including responding to questions from the public and providing information on Municipal Court procedures or schedules, parking citations, or public disclosure requests.

Assists with organizing, updating, maintaining, purging and archiving databases, files, records and other documents.

Assists with training assignments for new specialists and/or on new legislative or procedural changes.

Assists other staff with assignments during peak workloads or during absences.

Performs similar related duties.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a courtroom environment and in a congested, fast-paced office environment. Some assignments require working in the county jail and exposure to pathogens. Possibility of exposure to hostile, offensive language and the risk of physical harm associated with the emotional climate of court proceedings. Position may be exposed to graphic evidence of offenses and potentially hazardous physical and chemical evidence. Counter assignments routinely include interactions with angry, volatile or mentally ill individuals who may be verbally abusive and/or threatening.

Physical ability to perform essential functions of the job including:

Frequently operate a computer and read a computer screen or @typewritten page;

Frequently communicate verbally;

Move between work sites;

Occasional lifting of boxes or equipment weighing up to 40 lbs.

Experience and Training

Two years of clerical work, bookkeeping or customer service.

Two years of related college level education.

Ability to @type 45 wpm NET

Necessary Special Requirements

Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions and local background check (See Fair Hiring Practices).

Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

Some assignments may require access to law enforcement databases. Access to these databases requires fingerprinting and a more extensive examination of an individual's criminal history.

Must be willing to sign confidentiality agreements with the State of Washington and the Court in regard to ethical standards and database access and use.

May be required to work overtime as required for jury trials or to process materials with legal deadlines.

Selection Process

All applications will be forwarded to the Bellingham Municipal Court for review. Candidates selected to participate in further assessment will be notified directly by the Bellingham Municipal Court.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.

The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.

The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.

The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our benefits section (http://cob.org/about/employment/benefits) for additional information.

This position is represented by The Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the Local 1937 labor agreement (http://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/1937-Contract-2020.2021-Final.pdf) .

This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website (http://www.drs.wa.gov/) for more information on PERS.

Thank you for your interest in this position at the City of Bellingham! To ensure a consistent review, only the City of Bellingham job application and required supplemental documents will be reviewed. Cover letters and resumes are not reviewed unless they are required as part of the process. When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete each section of your application, and provide a thorough response to each of the supplemental questions. Please do not indicate "see resume" or copy content that is unrelated to the position being applied for from your resume when answering these questions.

Have you read and understood the information listed above?

Yes

Do you have two years of clerical work, bookkeeping or customer service?

Yes

If you answered YES to question #1, please list employer(s) and date(s) of employment where you gained the experience.

Do you have two years of related college level education?

Yes

If you answered YES to question #3, please list the degree or courses completed and dates of completion.

This position requires the ability to @type at a minimum of 45 wpm net. Do you meet this requirement?

Yes, I can @type 45 wpm NET.

No, I cannot @type 45 wpm NET and understand my application does not meet minimum qualifications.

Some assignments may require access to law enforcement databases. Are you willing to submit to fingerprinting and an extensive examination of your criminal history?

Yes

Are you willing to sign a confidentiality agreement with the State of Washington and the Court in regard to ethical standards and database access and use?

Yes

Are you willing and able to work overtime as required for jury trials or to process materials with legal deadlines?

Yes

Describe your experience managing concerns from the public or other external customers that demonstrate your ability to maintain professional interactions during difficult situations.

Describe an example in your work history that required that you make quick judgments and problem solve under stress.

Describe an example in which you managed concerns from the public or other external customers that demonstrated your ability to provide outstanding customer service.

Required Question

Employer

City of Bellingham

Address

104 West Magnolia Street Bellingham, Washington, 98225

Phone

360-778-8228

Website

http://www.cob.org/employment

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