Court Operations Manager

Superior Court of California, County of Merced•Merced, CA

About The Position

Under general direction, the Court Operations Manager manages daily operations of assigned court divisions and branch court sites and provides administrative direction and oversight for their functions and activities. The manager plans, develops, and implements procedures and policies aligned with the Court’s strategic goals. This management position is responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating multiple document-processing divisions and branch court sites, using considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines. The incumbent is accountable for operational goals and objectives and serves at the direction of the Court Executive Officer in an at-will capacity. The position directly supervises Court Supervisors and other assigned court division personnel. It oversees staffing, service quality, budgets and financial reporting, operational policies and procedures, automated systems, organizational studies, official records, and coordination with other court divisions and external parties. Work includes adapting operations to legal, regulatory, technological, and Court needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, with major coursework in judicial administration, public administration, or a related field, and five years of court experience, including two years of supervisory experience in a court setting; OR equivalent to a high school diploma or GED and eight years of technical court experience, including work as a Courtroom Clerk and/or Court Processing Clerk, and three years of supervisory experience in a court setting.
Knowledge of administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, and staff supervision.
Knowledge of organizational and management practices used to analyze and evaluate projects, programs, policies, procedures, operational needs, and court administration.
Knowledge of presentation development, business correspondence, information distribution, research, and reporting methods and procedures.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures.
Knowledge of legal terminology, court operations, courtroom procedure, etiquette, and conventions.
Knowledge of techniques for representing the Court and providing customer service in dealings with government agencies, public officials, Court staff, and the public.
Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, and relevant modern office practices, computer equipment, and software.
Ability to organize work, prioritize, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
Ability to use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform varied work tasks.
Ability to communicate effectively in English in person, by telephone, and in writing; prepare and present correspondence, reports, and recommendations.
Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Court staff, elected and appointed bodies, and the public.
Ability to administer projects and operations consistent with policies and goals, and plan, direct, and evaluate staff through subordinate supervisors.
Ability to work under deadline pressure, conflicting demands, and emergencies.
Ability to evaluate situations, develop and select options, anticipate consequences, and implement administrative policies and work programs consistent with regulations and Court goals.
Ability to understand, interpret, and apply laws and regulations; communicate about division policies, funding, and operations; and adapt procedures to changing needs.
Ability to plan and implement training programs and understand, follow, and give written and oral instructions.
A valid Class C California driver’s license may be required, depending on the position and ADA review.
Must undergo a modified background investigation and fingerprinting. Convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, and date; false statements or omissions about background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.
Physical ability to use a keyboard, computer monitor, and office equipment daily and for extended periods; handle files and individual sheets of paper; perform repetitive gripping, grasping, pinching, writing, typing, and copying; and reach, sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, lift, and stretch as required.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds and exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds frequently, and negligible force constantly.
Ability to move among courtrooms, clerk’s offices, departments, court facilities, and desk assignments, and to traverse indoors and outdoors over uneven ground and pavement.
Corrected hearing and vision within the normal range; some tasks require perceiving colors or shades, sounds, visual cues, and signals, and communicating orally.

Responsibilities

Plan, manage, and oversee daily functions and activities of assigned Court divisions and branch court sites, including financial preparation, monitoring, forecasting, analysis, processing, reporting, and record keeping.
Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for assigned divisions and branch sites.
Select, train, motivate, and direct personnel; review work and performance; address performance issues; implement discipline and termination procedures; and respond to staff concerns.
Develop, review, and implement policies and procedures to ensure service quality and compliance with legal requirements and Court needs.
Monitor service-delivery efficiency, work distribution, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify improvement opportunities and direct implementation of changes.
Support the development, design, coordination, testing, implementation, and performance monitoring of automated systems.
Conduct divisional, organizational, and operational studies and investigations, and recommend changes to programs, policies, and procedures.
Prepare and direct preparation of correspondence, reports, procedures, resolutions, and other materials.
Maintain and direct maintenance of working, confidential, and official divisional automated and manual files.
Serve as liaison to other court divisions, governmental agencies, and parties interested in the trial court system; provide liaison and staff support to committees, commissions, and work groups.
Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect operations, and implement policy and procedural changes after approval.
Attend professional group meetings and stay informed about trends and innovations in court services.
Directly supervise Court Supervisors and other assigned court division personnel.