Tribal Court - Court Clerk - Child Support

Open: August 14, 2026

Close: When Filled

Job Title: Court Clerk – Child support

Department: Tribal Court

Reports To: Court Administrator

Hours: 40 Hrs/Wk – Full Time

Salary: Based on Salary Matrix+Benefits   

Requisition: 890              

 *Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information, call (253)573-7863 or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing, paid holidays, and paid time off including birthday leave.

 (This is a Grant-Funded Position)  Position subject to funding

Position Summary:

Provides clerical support and records management for operation of the Tribal Court specializing in child support cases and support services for the Tribal Court Judges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and to maintain impartial as personnel of the Court.
2. Maintains court records, files, and other records.
3. Accurately records details of all court room proceedings.
4. Maintains court calendar and ensures that the docket is prepared one week in advance for the presiding Judge.
5. Oversees issuance of summons, subpoenas, orders, and other necessary documents.
6. Receives and reviews court filings for completeness and conformity to requirements and determines whether each document should be accepted or denied. Correctly completes data- entry and record keeping.
7. Receives and reviews fines and fees. Correctly completes accounting, data-entry, and record keeping.
8. Assists the public, attorneys, law enforcement, social services, and other agencies to submit a filing and, if applicable, explain without providing legal advice how to amend the filing so that it may be accepted by the Court.
9. Affixes stamps and appropriate seals to accepted filings, provides appropriate copies to the filer, files the original filings in the Court file, takes appropriate notes detailing their actions in the Court file, and ensures the filings are presented to the presiding judge.
10. Verifies, enters, retrieves, corrects, and updates information in manual and/or automated record keeping systems.
11. Organizes own work responsibilities, sets specific priorities, and ensures critical deadlines are met.
12. Knowledge of the Puyallup Tribal Code and functions of the Tribal judicial system and the ability to learn and apply legal terminology.
13. Per the presiding judge’s direction, prepares and reviews for format and content in a variety of court documentation, including orders after hearings.
14. Per the presiding judge’s direction, may contact, by telephone or e-mail, all those required in the court session, such as attorneys and witnesses, for various purposes.
15. Per the presiding judge’s direction, assists as necessary with the legal and administrative needs of a jury trial.
16. Attends and participates in trainings and meetings.
17. Upholds all Court policies and procedures.
18. Operates copiers, computer, Zoom audio/video functions, phones, and fax machine.
19. Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Court Clerk, Court Administrator, Chief Judge, Associate Judges, and Pro Tempore Judges.
20. Will be assigned cases that may be more complex than other cases.
21. Assists in the deposit of funds to accounting for Tribal Court fines and fees.
22. Assists in drafting the Court’s standard operating procedures. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications and Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required; and two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Intermediate experience and knowledge using word processing and spreadsheets (i.e. Word for Windows, Excel, Access, etc.) required. 
• Prefer at least two years experience in the areas of legal procedure for civil traffic, child welfare, juvenile, criminal and child support policies and procedures. 

Note: Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g., if you work 20 hours per week for a 12-month period, you will be credited with six months of experience).

Language Skills

• Employee must demonstrate the ability to interact tactfully and positively with Tribal members, all levels of staff, and management.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and professional correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups or co-workers.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where limited standardization exists.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to interpret and follow instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service skills to work with the public.
• Ability to remain calm in difficult situations with intense clients.
• Ability to defuse tense situations.
• Ability to remain impartial.
• Ability to be culturally sensitive in a diverse society.
• Must be able to acceptably pass a background check prior to and periodically throughout employment.
• Must be willing to attend child support specific training.

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.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. 
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Work is performed in an office setting.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law

Online Application Tips:

1.         If you are using a PC, use Chrome. If you are using a MAC, use Safari.

2.         Upload additional documents (resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, proof of Indian blood, etc.) to the resume tab as one (1) PDF file or email documents to jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov and we can add them to your online application. Please send in copies of any degrees or certificates that you have been awarded.

3.         Indian Hiring Preference – send in the appropriate documentation for the category you select. If you have any questions about the hiring preference policy or what document to send in, email us at jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov or call (253) 573-7863.

4.         Provide 3+ references (we cannot obtain references from direct family members – mother, father, grandparents, sisters, brothers, or children and this includes in laws). One reference must be your most recent supervisor. We prefer the rest of your references to include co-workers, subordinates, or other supervisors, but we can accept a personal reference from someone who is familiar with your work ethic, habits, and attendance. You can send in letters of recommendation to jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov

5.         To add more employment, education, references, etc., click on the small + sign at the top right corner of the page.

6.         When entering salaries, only use numbers. Do not use any other characters (such as , . or $)

7.         After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email, please call the office to confirm submission.

*Please do not wear perfumes, colognes, or strong scents to your interview. Some employees are allergic.

If you have any questions about the positions or the online application, please call (253) 573-7863

or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov.

3009 E. Portland Ave., Tacoma, WA 98404