Court Admin Director

About the Role

Directs the administrative and operational functions within a comprehensive and complex court system or legal office. Oversees and participates in the planning and development of policies, procedures, and programs to accomplish goals and objectives. Develops strategic plans, oversees administrative functions including finance, budgeting, human resources, purchasing, information systems, facilities, resource planning, strategic planning, and records management.

Represents the court system or legal office and presents programmatic, statistical, budgetary, and other information to department heads, including judges, legislative bodies, the Commissioners Court, and other organizations.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and directs the administrative and operational functions within a comprehensive and complex court system or legal office.
• Oversees management and staff, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, disciplinary actions, and dismissals, ensuring activities align with goals and objectives.
• Seeks and creates opportunities for improved performance, learning, and development of staff; identifies and addresses problems or conflicts.
• Oversees and performs administrative and operational functions such as financial, budgeting, human resources, purchasing, information systems, strategic planning, records management, and special programs.
• Facilitates meeting all basic requirements related to policies, procedures, staffing, equipment, and other resources to enhance efficiency.
• Manages day-to-day operations through subordinate managers and supervisors.
• Directs departmental planning, development, implementation, and management of all financial and budgetary functions, including budget preparation and monitoring, analysis, accounting, internal and external controls, compliance, financial reporting, grants, and discretionary funds.
• Oversees and implements departmental human resources functions, including staffing, employee relations, classification, compensation, recruitment/retention, training, and compliance with Federal, State, and County policies.
• Directs the planning, development, implementation, and operation of the department's information and records management systems; works with information systems staff to prioritize needs.
• Prepares high-level analysis of fiscal impacts for policymakers.
• Provides management support to executives and administrative oversight of the department.
• Evaluates, plans, and implements systems, processes, and procedures to maximize office efficiency.
• Develops and implements comprehensive strategic plans consistent with departmental goals and objectives.
• Prepares, receives, and reviews statistical and programmatic reports; monitors programs and interprets findings.
• Evaluates current programs, procedures, and practices on an ongoing basis.
• Plans and develops policies, procedures, and programs to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of operations and services.
• Represents the department and serves as a liaison for local, regional, and statewide committees, task forces, advisory groups, and the general public.
• Serves as spokesperson to media and outside agencies.
• Prepares and presents comprehensive reports and recommendations based on analytical research and study of court system issues.
• Recommends new or revised systems, technologies, policies, or procedures to improve administrative and operational functions.
• Monitors and directs procedures to ensure consistency with legislative mandates.
• May oversee additional programs within the department.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Court Administration, Finance, Accounting, Business, Public Administration, or a directly related field AND seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in court administration, business administration, legal, or related work, including four (4) years of mid- to senior-level supervisory or management experience.
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Licensed Attorney.
• Graduation from the Court Executive Development Program of the Institute for Court Management (ICM) or other certifications, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
• Master's degree in Court Administration, Finance, Accounting, Business, Public Administration, or a directly related field.
• Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).

Skills

Knowledge of:

• Management and supervisory principles, practices, and techniques.
• Court system administration and oversight techniques.
• Policies, practices, procedures, and terminology of assigned function.
• Federal, State, and Local program laws and requirements.
• Accounting, purchasing, and budgetary theory, principles, and practices.
• Information technology as related to assigned function.
• Criminal justice agencies and task forces.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and methods.
• Computer equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar, punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Strategic planning, developing, monitoring, and evaluating court systems and services.
• Managing staff, allocating resources, and evaluating programs.
• Leadership and collaboration.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Negotiating, interviewing, and investigating practices and techniques.
• Developing and monitoring program budgets.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

Ability to:

• Direct, motivate, train, develop, and evaluate staff.
• Develop and recommend program initiatives.
• Prepare and analyze administrative and statistical reports.
• Work independently and efficiently.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees, officials, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

• Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 5-15 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination, and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment.
• Employees may be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Location: Austin, TX
Department: Criminal Courts
Criminal Background Check Required.

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM