Manager III - Juvenile Court Services

King County • Seattle, WA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

King County Superior Court is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Manager III. The Court is one of the nation's largest trial courts, serving the country's 12th most populous county. Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, King County Superior Court is nationally recognized for innovation. The court’s mission is to serve the public by ensuring justice through accessible and effective forums for the fair, understandable, and timely resolution of legal matters. This leadership position is responsible for managing a functional division within the Superior Court department of Juvenile Court Services. Assigned areas for oversight may include community partnerships, juvenile assessments, and restorative programs, as well as juvenile probation and records administration functions. Key duties include developing and implementing policies, managing program development, overseeing complex program budgets, evaluating program effectiveness, and supervising and managing staff performance. The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to ensure efficient and high performing operations in both legal and social service settings. The most competitive candidates place a high value on a diverse workforce, efficient and effective operating principles, and collaboration and team building. It is the vision of KCSC to be open to all, trusted by all, and to provide justice for all. To fulfill Superior Court's Mission, Values, and Vision, employees at all levels serve the complex needs of a diverse population of Court users. Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation. At KCSC, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Public Administration, or similar field relevant to the job responsibilities and six years' experience working in the juvenile justice field, including three years in supervision and management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the job duties.
• Proven leadership experience with multidisciplinary teams, managing complex projects, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of juvenile justice system practices, state and federal regulations, and funding mechanisms.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complex, multi-agency issues.
• Demonstrated value for, and commitment to, addressing racial inequities in the criminal justice system.
• Ability to bring a racial equity lens to developing policy, procedures, and practices of a government organization.
• Experience using effective change management principles in leading large, innovative organizational initiatives
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience using data to make informed decisions to improve policies and program outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in contract management, budgeting, and securing funding.
• The ability to reliably travel throughout the county is required.
• Finalists must successfully pass a criminal background investigation and reference check.

Nice To Haves

• A Master's degree in a field relevant to the job responsibilities and at least three years of experience in direct service provision to youth and families.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of dedicated professionals by recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising staff, including those supporting core juvenile court and probation functions.
• Develop a functional coaching relationship with subordinate supervisors and direct staff.
• Foster a positive work culture, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and address performance challenges through constructive solutions and empowering subordinate supervisors.
• Ensure adherence to policies and procedures while promoting a culture of accountability and growth.
• Lead and manage projects to improve operational efficiency across all service areas, including probation-related processes and case management practices.
• Integrate new technologies and workflows to strengthen service delivery and support consistent, high quality outcomes that are beneficial to all youth.
• Develop, implement, and monitor divisional work plans and goals, ensuring alignment with state mandates, funding sources, and statewide Juvenile Justice Initiatives.
• Oversee case review processes, caseload distribution, and geographic assignments to support equitable workloads across juvenile probation and related service units.
• Oversee the development and monitoring of the program budget, ensuring resources are effectively allocated to support probation operations and broader program needs.
• Lead efforts to secure diverse funding sources, including federal, state, local, and private funding.
• Manage contract compliance and track expenditures through monthly invoicing and reporting.
• Support effective working relationships with labor unions, including negotiations and administration of union labor contracts for all assigned work units, including those delivering probation services.
• Address grievances and promote a positive work environment in accordance with labor agreements.
• Lead negotiations and manage contracts with state, county, and city agencies to provide services for court involved youth and their families.
• Ensure the quality and effectiveness of contracted services by monitoring performance and conducting regular quality assurance assessments that support both probation and broader program operations.
• Build collaborative relationships with local, state, and national organizations to further reform efforts and initiatives.
• Respond to complex inquiries and resolve issues that involve multiple agencies or departments, including those related to probation services and youth supervision.
• Assist in analyzing local, state, and federal policies related to juvenile court operations and probation practice.
• Contribute to legislative and budget development through funding analysis and recommendations informed by emerging trends.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Leverage community resources to enhance program operations and support successful outcomes for youth and families engaged with Juvenile Court Services.
• Oversee court ordered information sharing agreements and ensure timely distribution of reports, including policy recommendations, probation and program related data, and funding updates.
• Facilitate stakeholder input and ensure transparency in program activities.
• Cultivate strong relationships with program evaluators, researchers, and stakeholders.
• Oversee contracted evaluations—design, methodology, data collection, and reporting—to inform continuous improvement across juvenile probation work units and related programs.
• Represent the division on county, state, and national committees and task forces, advocating for effective juvenile justice and probation policies and initiatives.
• Provide backup for the Director, Juvenile Court Services, as needed.
• Perform other duties and special projects as required by the department.

Benefits

• The Court’s core business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager