Court Administrator

Court Administrator

Under the direction of the Municipal Court Judge and consultation with the City Manager, the Court Administrator has the overall responsibility for developing, implementing, and administering court and probation services policies and rules; managing court and probation personnel, budgetary matters, planning, accounting, records, and reports; and coordinating the efforts of partner agencies as related to municipal court and probation services activities.

Essential Duties

Operations Management: Direct all non-judicial operations of the Municipal Court and Probation Department, ensuring effective case flow, procedural compliance, staff performance, and strategic alignment with court goals and legal standards.

Policy, Compliance, and Program Management: Develop, implement, and enforce court and probation policies and procedures in compliance with municipal code and state law; ensure ongoing compliance with legal, procedural, and security requirements, including CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) standards.

Team Leadership and Supervision: Oversee the recruitment, training, supervision, and performance of court and probation personnel; foster a culture of accountability, service, and continuous improvement.

Budget and Financial Oversight: Manage court and probation budgets, including planning, expenditure tracking, purchasing, and financial operations involving bail, bonds, fines, and payroll; ensure financial accountability and alignment with citywide fiscal policies.

Interagency and Public Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison between the court and external stakeholders - including law enforcement, attorneys, jails, and government agencies - while also representing the court at City Council meetings, public hearings, and community forums as needed. The Court Administrator also serves as the representative of the Court in coordinating with Departments within the City of Lakewood.

Care Coordinator: Serves as an active member of the Municipal Court's therapeutic court teams.

Professional Certifications: The Court Administrator will either have or be required to receive certifications of Certified Court Manager (CCM) and Certified Court Executive. The Court Administrator will also be expected to be an active member in good standing of the District and Municipal Court Managers' Association (DMCMA).

General Rule 29: Has a working knowledge of Washington State Court Rule General Rule (GR) 29 and a commitment to the rule of law and judicial independence in assisting the Presiding Judge.

Examples of Court Administrator Responsibilities:

• Directs the operations of the court and probation services and supervises court and probation services staff in accordance with City policy; develops, implements, and administers policies, procedures, and rules established for the municipal court and probation services, and may assist with labor negotiations.
• Oversee the selection, supervision, coaching, recognition, and evaluation of employees within the Judicial Branch using performance management techniques; approves discipline and terminations, as needed.
• Develops, administers, implements, supervises, and maintains efficient and effective court procedures, ensuring established goals and objectives are met; case flow policies and procedures; a security system for the court; and summoning and qualification of jurors in an efficient and cost-effective way.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and recommends implementation of automated systems to assist the court and enhance case flow and records management.
• Prepares and administers the approved budget for the municipal court and probation services; monitors budgeted expenditures including grant funding
• Controls and supervises a variety of financial functions including, but not limited to, bails, bonds, appeal cases, and fines.
• Ensures financial accountability of budgeting, payroll, purchasing, records, and reports for the municipal court and probation services.
• Maintains communications and courteous, effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other City employees, other government agencies, elected and appointed officials, community groups, and the general public to discuss and explain court related activities, resolve problems, and exchange information.
• Directs the preparation and maintenance of complex records and reports related to court cases, budgets, and personnel.
• Attends meetings and conferences; participates in staff development activities to increase competence; represents the Court by providing technical expertise during public hearing and public meetings.
• Along with the Presiding Judge, attends City Council, committee meetings, and public hearings as needed; makes public presentations at meetings and respond to questions and comments; presents technical information and policy options related to the Municipal Court operations and programs.
• Operates the computer for various report processing, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships between the City, jails, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and probation and related social services.
• Maintains knowledge of municipal court practices, procedures, jurisdiction, and legal and procedural regulations pertaining to bails, fines, processes and warrants; procedures for the Department of Licensing, Driver and Vehicle Division; and records management practices.
• Deals tactfully and courteously with the public, coworkers, and other City employees, occasionally in difficult customer service situations with persons of diverse occupational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Plans, prioritizes, and organizes workflow to meet position and departmental goals and deadlines.
• Works effectively and in a professional manner while working with interruptions, strict deadlines, and handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Coordinates actions with other City departments.
• Maintains confidentiality of records and other information.
• Works independently on routine assignments.
• Completes work and projects in a thorough and timely manner.
• Understands and follows directions from supervisors, posted work rules, and procedures.
• Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance
• Due to internal and external customer service needs, the Court Administrator must be able to work a full-time schedule, onsite at the municipal court
• Shows initiative in performing job duties.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Presiding Judge.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in public or business administration, criminal justice, or related field.
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in management of a municipal court operation or equivalent.

Desired Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in court management or justice system experience.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience.
• Combination of relevant education and experience demonstrating the applicant's knowledge, skill, and ability to effectively perform the duties of Court Administrator.

License & Certification Requirements This position will be required to be fingerprinted and complete the CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) Security Certification Test to be allowed to view sensitive court and criminal justice information (per Washington State Patrol ACCESS unit).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Comprehensive knowledge of municipal court operations, procedures, and case flow management.
• Knowledge of probation services administration and therapeutic court programs.
• Knowledge of Washington State court rules, including General Rule (GR) 29 and principles of judicial independence.
• Knowledge of municipal, state, and applicable federal laws, regulations, and court procedures.
• Knowledge of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security requirements and compliance standards.
• Knowledge of court financial management practices, including bail, bonds, fines, appeals, payroll, purchasing, and budgeting.
• Knowledge of public sector budgeting, fiscal administration, grant management, and financial accountability principles.
• Knowledge of personnel management, performance evaluation, employee development, discipline, and labor relations practices.
• Knowledge of records management systems, court technology applications, and automated case management systems.
• Knowledge of jury administration processes and court security procedures.
• Knowledge of organizational management principles, strategic planning, and program administration.
• Knowledge of intergovernmental relations and collaboration with law enforcement agencies, attorneys, correctional facilities, social service providers, and other governmental entities.
• Knowledge of customer service principles and public communication practices.

SKILL IN:

• Leadership and organizational management skills.
• Staff supervision, coaching, mentoring, and performance management skills.
• Strategic planning and program development skills.
• Policy development, implementation, and compliance management skills.
• Budget preparation, financial analysis, and fiscal oversight skills.
• Project management and workflow coordination skills.
• Court administration and case flow management skills.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.
• Interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills.
• Negotiation and consensus-building skills.
• Records management and documentation skills.
• Technology proficiency, including court management software, spreadsheets, databases, word processing

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