Deputy Court Administrator

City of Columbia•Columbia, SC

About The Position

The Deputy Court Administrator assists the Court Administrator with the day-to-day administrative management of the City of Columbia Municipal Court. The position helps manage, supervise, coordinate, and direct court operations; ensures work conforms to established legal, court, and regulatory standards; provides guidance on complex administrative, supervisory, professional, and technical court functions; and supervises court personnel to ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations. The incumbent works within broad policy and organizational guidelines, plans and implements work independently, and reports progress on major activities through periodic conferences and meetings. The role supports budget development and administration, staff supervision and development, case scheduling and processing, court records management, collections and accounting backup, and coordination with other courts, government departments, and outside agencies. It also performs Clerk of Court functions, responds to inquiries and Freedom of Information Act requests, attends meetings and training, and carries out related administrative and clerical duties. The work is sedentary in nature, with some walking or standing, routine keyboard operations, and recurring exertion of up to 10 pounds and occasional exertion of up to 20 pounds. Required physical abilities include repetitive motion, speaking, talking, and visual acuity. The work environment has no known environmental hazards and is dynamic, requiring sensitivity and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, human resources, law, organizational development, or a related field.
Eight years of relevant prior experience.
Three years of prior supervisory or management experience.
Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License.
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Strong multitasking, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to coordinate activities and determine timing, place, or sequence of operations based on analysis of information.
Ability to provide guidance and assistance, give directions or assignments, and guide others in a fluid work environment.
Ability to perform coordinating work involving guidelines and rules and ongoing problem-solving.
Ability to perform professional-level administrative, technical, or managerial work and apply policies and procedures to complex administrative problems.
Ability to maintain close attention to detail for accurate results and handle frequent exposure to unusual pressures.
Ability to use computers and office equipment for data entry and related work.
Ability to read professional publications and prepare reports, training materials, and other written documents using proper language, punctuation, grammar, and style.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Knowledge of personal computers and peripheral equipment, with skill in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, word processing, spreadsheet, and PowerPoint software.

Responsibilities

Assist the Court Administrator with developing, monitoring, and administering the departmental budget; recommend and implement budget strategies; provide analysis and advice; submit budget adjustments, payment and expenditure reports, and analytical and statistical budget reports.
Initiate departmental purchase requisitions and oversee workflow functions as directed by the Court Administrator.
Supervise subordinate staff, including assigning and reviewing work, maintaining standards, coordinating activities, assisting with employee selection, allocating personnel, addressing employee problems, and approving discipline or discharge as appropriate.
Review subordinate work for completeness and accuracy, recommend improvements to the Court Administrator, and provide training, advice, and assistance.
Assist with developing, researching, and implementing departmental policies and procedures.
Oversee employee schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; address employee concerns and problems and counsel or discipline employees as appropriate.
Arrange staff training and development opportunities, including registration and travel arrangements.
Coordinate case scheduling and tracking; allocate personnel and resources for orderly case processing; investigate case-flow problems and recommend corrective measures.
Oversee and participate in preparing, indexing, and maintaining accurate, complete, and confidential court records.
Direct the maintenance, retention, and disposal of public records for the City of Columbia Municipal Court.
Act as Clerk of Court for specified matters, including issuing subpoenas, receiving Notices of Appeal, and receiving affidavits requesting excusal from jury duty.
Assist defendants, complainants, attorneys, solicitors, court personnel, law enforcement personnel, jurors, and others with required legal forms.
Ensure court fines and fees are collected and processed accurately and promptly; serve as backup for accounting functions.
Coordinate Municipal Court matters with S.C. Court Administration, other courts, City and County divisions and departments, and outside agencies; communicate with staff from other courts to align operations with best practices.
Attend City Council and judges’ meetings in the Court Administrator’s absence.
Perform general administrative and clerical duties, including preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing, ordering and maintaining office supplies and equipment, entering and retrieving computer data, sending and receiving faxes, and answering telephones.
Respond to employee and public inquiries, concerns, and complaints regarding policies and procedures in areas of responsibility, and answer Freedom of Information Act requests.
Attend staff, committee, City, and professional development meetings, training, seminars, and workshops as required.
Perform other related duties as assigned.