Court Operations Specialist

Initial Posting Date:

12/19/2025

Application Deadline:

01/05/2026

Agency:

Judicial Department

Salary Range:

$4,649 - $7,212

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Court Operations Specialist

Job Description:

Starting Salary: In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the second step of the salary range. Each year, you are potentially eligible for a 5% annual increase.

Interviews: will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline.

Who We Are

Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD’s efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work, lived experience, and education, plus any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission. 

Benefits To You

• We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees [OR up to 99% of medical insurance premiums for part-time employees], including mental health coverage.
• The hourly equivalent for this position is $26.82 - $41.61.  [OR The annual salary for this position is $55,788 - $86,544.]
• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job!
• In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the second step of the salary range, depending on experience. You are potentially eligible for a 5% annual increase.

Location Highlights

Dallas, Oregon, established in 1874, is a small city 15 miles west of Salem (Oregon’s Capital) along Rickreal Creek. The town was named after George M. Dallas, the vice president of then President James K. Polk, after whom the county is named. The area around Dallas is known for its wines—especially its outstanding pinots. It is also home to the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. The Polk County Courthouse (tied with Sherman County Courthouse) is the second oldest running courthouse in Oregon – 1899 (an annex was added in 1965).

Position Highlights

The Polk County Circuit Court in Dallas, Oregon, is hiring a Court Operations Specialist.

In this role, you will accept, review, and create court pleadings and new cases. You will prepare and process a variety of documents, forms, and orders using the court’s case management system. You will start and maintain a variety of files, records, and monitoring systems for cases, proposed orders, correspondence, and conferences. You will also schedule court hearings, update reference materials, organize and prioritize your workload, and determine next steps. This position will perform in-court tasks, such as in-court data entry of court events and documents, operating court’s electronic recorder and ensure accurate official record of the court proceedings are being created and preserved.  Perform all other courtroom clerk duties as required by the judge presiding in the courtroom.

Additionally, you will provide customer service by independently responding to routine questions in person, over the phone, and in writing. You will accept and receipt payments for fees, fines, and bail. At the end of each day, you will balance the cash drawer. You will also coordinate case activities and share information with judges, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and other justice partners.

We will cross-train you on all aspects of court operations, so you can assist wherever needed.

Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.

Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.

Cover Letter (REQUIRED)

• Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.
• In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.
• Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”
• Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.
• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.

Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.

OR 

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on the date listed above.

Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

AND

Four (4) years of responsible administrative experience in a moderately complex office or business setting demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for this position.

OR

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to four (4) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

None.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)

• Experience performing a variety of clerical or administrative support tasks, meeting strict deadlines, and maintaining accuracy when interrupted or distracted by a noisy work setting.
• Experience using a variety of software programs to access and input information and complete various tasks.
• Experience coordinating schedules and maintaining calendars.
• Experience providing customer service to a variety of individuals in challenging circumstances, stressful situations, or trauma.
• Experience and skill in writing and reviewing documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Experience handling cash or other monetary transactions, generating receipts, and crediting accounts.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time position, and the work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per workweek.
• Occasional after-hours or overtime work may be required.
• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma, including people who may be angry, hostile, confused, or frustrated.
• Long periods of sitting or standing.
• Occasionally lifting office materials and equipment that weighs up to 10 pounds.
• Regular use of the following equipment: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, copy machine, fax machine, and scanner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Criminal Background Check
You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Veterans’ Preference
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the second step of the salary range. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits
Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.
• Workday related information and resources are available here.
• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.