Chief Deputy Clerk

Salary : $86,673.60 - $116,355.20 Annually
Location : Franklin County Courthouse Campus - Pasco WA
Job Type: Full-Time Non-Barg
Job Number:
Department: Superior Court Clerk
Opening Date: 10/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description

The Chief Deputy Clerk assists with creating short and long term goals and provides supervisory and operational administrative services in support of the defined goals and objectives of the Clerk's Office. This position plans, organizes, and manages the operations, facilities, equipment, materials, technology, tools, policies, procedures, documentation, communication, coordination, and assigned employees, according to current department and County practices, ensuring all statutory and defined functions of the office are accomplished.
Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

• Project management and maintenance of statewide case management and document management system to ensure system reliability and proper replication/data exchange to collaborating state systems, law enforcement and the judiciary.
• Develops, administers, and monitors accurate, realistic, and fiscally sound Clerk's budget, performs fiscal operations, including departmental payroll, procurement, monitors and balances Clerk's trust and investment accounts, oversees annual escheatment process for civil and restitution funds held in trust, provides monthly revenue, expenditure performance analysis, and cash flow forecasts for three budgets, according to current department and County practices, ensuring alignment with department goals and objectives and in compliance with Franklin County standards and practices.
• Monitors, reports, interprets, communicates, and recommends, makes and/or leads changes to policy, procedure, or programs due to new trends, innovations, federal, state, and local rules, laws, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to the assigned areas and responsibilities.
• Manages the creation, development, and maintenance of systems and records including files, lists, logs, and other record keeping systems utilizing computerized and manual systems that provide for proper evaluation control, and documentation of assigned operations according to current department and County practices. Ensures records are accurate and available for annual audit and destroyed in accordance with current mandated retention schedule.
• Manages and ensures the security of all items identified and offered into evidence, oversees the return and/or destruction of exhibits including, but not limited to, weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia, bio-hazards, blood and explicit photographs.
• Coordinates transfer of electronic and physical historical court records to secure storage and/or Washington State Archives.
• Recommends and leads changes to written policies, procedures, manuals, forms, workflow documents, recordkeeping, facilities, or equipment to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
• Pursues self-development and continuing development of skills and knowledge by attending ongoing educational workshops, reviewing professional or technical publications, and establishing personal networks.
• Develops, implements, monitors, evaluates, and makes improvements to the performance standards, processes, policies, procedures, systems, technology, forms, workflow, and recordkeeping to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
• Plans, organizes, directs work assignments and schedules for departmental employees, evaluates progress, and shifts priorities for the programs, plans, requirements, and administration of services for the Clerk's office in accordance with related codes, ordinances, regulations, laws, and County guidelines, ensuring work is completed in a safe, efficient, and timely manner. This work includes the activities according to current department and County practices.
• Participates in Clerk's office staff selection activities, provides recommendations on candidate selection, employee promotion, transfer, and discipline as requested.
• Provides or coordinates Clerk's office new employee orientation, including an introduction to County and department policies, employee or position handbooks, technical equipment, and provides or coordinates the initial and cross training on position and department duties.
• Identifies, recommends, coordinates, or provides support, training, or development activities as needed to enhance employee's effectiveness. Evaluates and communicates consistent and timely performance feedback, coaching, conducts performance evaluations, and delivers improvement plans for assigned employees.
• Assists with the planning, organizing, directing, and communication of the development, implementation, and progress of the Clerk's office goals, objectives, policies, procedures, priorities, and performance standards to ensure the efficient and effective operations in compliance with County standards.
• Receives, researches, discerns, and responds to public records requests in a timely manner and in accordance with department, county and state statutes.
• In the absence of the Clerk, or at their request, assumes responsibilities, represents the department, approves decisions, requests, expenditures, and makes recommendations according to department guidelines and policies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Expert knowledge of laws and regulations, County policies and procedures, as well as principles, practices, procedures, techniques, terminology, and related tools and technology as they relate to area(s) of assignment including the court proceedings process, passport processing, case, records, and exhibit management, jury selection, and legal document compliance.
• Proficient knowledge of principles and practices of management as applied to supervision, training, performance evaluations, program planning, staffing, budgeting, coordination, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, operational needs, and staff development.
• Expert knowledge of principles and practices of governmental fiscal management including budget preparation, expenditure control, and sound recordkeeping.
• Expert skills in troubleshooting and resolving issues or problems by analyzing information, identifying alternative solutions, interpreting compliance documentation, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals.
• Expert time management and mental and physical organization skills that support the ability to focus, have clarity, and use strategy to fulfill a variety of tasks successfully.
• Proficient skills in data entry, typing, Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to learn and have proficient skills in the current County-wide enterprise resource planning software. Expert skills in Outlook, the internet for research, and the ability to learn and have expert skills in the Odyssey, SCOMIS, JMS, JIS, and JABS software or systems.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely, to express ideas and recommendations effectively orally and in writing, and communicate department, technical, or industry information, policies, requirements, and procedures in a language understood by co-workers and the general public.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgment and discretion and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive or confidential information.
• Ability and willingness to establish and maintain communication and working relationships with peers, representatives from other agencies, vendors, public officials, and the general public using courtesy, tact, and discretion.
• Ability to lead by remaining open to new ideas and approaches, managing change, solving problems and making decisions, managing politics and influencing others, taking risks and innovating, setting vision and strategy, managing the work, demonstrating commitment to staff development, communicating information and expectations often and openly, enhancing business skills and knowledge, understanding and navigating the organization, and creating a feeling of succeeding and failing together.
• Ability to work independently and take advantage of opportunities, organize and prioritize several ongoing and frequently changing assignments to meet deadlines, and communicate changes and progress to supervisor and staff, remaining calm during emergency situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work may be performed in the following environmental condition:
  • constantly: in an office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, a typical office environment.
• Exposure to physical evidence including, but not limited to, weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia, bio-hazards, blood, explicit photographs and oral testimony.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The person in this position must be able to

• spend the following amount of time in an activity:
  • constantly: talk or hear, and use hands, fingers to handle or feel, or operate equipment or tools, and
  • frequently: sit, stand, or walk for extended periods of time and reach with hands and arms, and
  • occasionally: stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• frequently carry or transport items up to 10 pounds.

Have the following vision abilities:

• have close vision (from one to twenty inches).

Typical Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, accounting, or related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible office management experience in a legal environment.

OR

• Any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Employment at Franklin County is contingent upon the results of a background check and eligibility for coverage by the County's liability insurance carrier. Depending upon the position, background checks may include personal and professional references, social security verification, education and professional licensing verification, financial history, and criminal history.
• Valid driver's license if driving a vehicle for County business.
• Must be able to obtain certification as a US Passport Agent.
  1. Must be US Citizen.
  2. Complete certification within six months of hire.

Supplemental Information

OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER
The statements herein describe the principal functions of this job, level of knowledge and skills typically required, scope of responsibility, work requirements and working conditions, but are not all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties and Franklin County, Washington reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties, and assign other duties as necessary, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload.
Franklin County offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including healthcare, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays and paid time off.

To learn more details, visit our
01

Following are a series of supplemental questions designed to assess your job-related experience and qualifications. Please note that as part of the screening process your responses will be reviewed in conjunction with your general application. The employment history detailed in your general application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process. A resume may be submitted, but it will not substitute for the general application or supplemental questions; responses such as "see resume" will not be considered. Do you understand that your responses to the supplemental questions for this position must be supported by your general application/work history detail?

• Yes
• No

02

Describe your education and/or work experience and how it relates to the minimum qualifications for this position (A Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration or a closely related field; AND four (4) years of professional management or related experience which includes two (2) years experience in the supervision/management of resources and processes; OR any equivalent combination of training and/or experience which provides the required knowledge and skill.)
03

Describe your supervisory/management experience including employee selection, supervision, performance monitoring and, when necessary, applying progressive discipline.
04

Describe your experience developing, implementing and monitoring written procedures and policies in compliance with court rules, local ordinances and/or state statues.
05

Describe your experience in and knowledge of preparing and managing budgets and determining fiscal impacts as the result of ordinances, legislation, grants, and contracts/leases.
06

Describe your experience administering grant programs, including preparation and submission of any required reports and reimbursement requests.
07

Describe your knowledge of and/or experience in receipting and disbursing monies, handling trust funds, and entry of judgments.
08

Describe your knowledge of and/or experience in ensuring compliance with court orders, state statues, government regulations, banking regulations, generally accepted accounting procedures and office policies.
Required Question