Trial Court Administrator

New Jersey Courts•Nj 07306, NJ

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Trial Court Administrator provides executive leadership and oversees all court operations of the Hudson Vicinage in partnership with the Assignment Judge and the Administrative Director of the Courts. The role defines organizational performance objectives; develops and implements strategic plans; manages a $29.1 million budget; and allocates resources for approximately 500 employees, 32 Superior Court Judges, and 25 Municipal Court Judges. The Administrator supervises nine division managers, the EEO/AA Officer, and the Ombudsman, and oversees program development, public outreach, case coordination, and the work of the vicinage’s court divisions and operational functions. As a member of the Judiciary’s Administrative Council, the Administrator works with senior managers on statewide strategic initiatives and proposed uniform policies and procedures. The role also helps plan how New Jersey courts will operate in a post-pandemic hybrid environment. At the vicinage level, the Administrator builds relationships with county government and the county bar association, coordinates courthouse security with the Sheriff, and negotiates space allocation and renovations with the County. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong customer service, interpersonal, and decision-making skills, including in labor and employee relations matters. The position may qualify for up to two days of remote work under the Judiciary’s hybrid schedule, subject to high-speed home internet access and installation of a multifactor authentication app.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and eight years of managerial experience, including responsibility for managing administrative operations, budgeting, developing and implementing programs, policies and procedures, and five years supervising professional staff.
Applicants without the required education may substitute additional professional experience on a year-for-year basis, with one year of experience equivalent to 30 semester-hour credits.
An associate’s degree and two additional years of professional experience may be substituted for the required bachelor’s degree.
A master’s degree may be substituted for one year of the stated experience, or a law degree may be substituted for two years of the stated experience.
Degrees conferred outside the United States must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
Newly hired employees must agree to a background check that includes fingerprinting and a social media check.
Newly hired Judiciary employees must establish and maintain principal residence in New Jersey within one year, subject to possible exemptions.
A New Jersey-valid driver’s license is required only if operating a vehicle is necessary to perform the position’s essential duties.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, vision, and strategies to direct and oversee all court operations of the Hudson Vicinage, in partnership with the Assignment Judge and Administrative Director of the Courts.
Define organizational performance objectives and develop and implement strategic plans to achieve Judiciary goals and objectives.
Develop and manage a $29.1 million budget and allocate resources for approximately 500 employees, approximately 32 Superior Court Judges, and approximately 25 Municipal Court Judges.
Supervise nine division managers, the EEO/AA Officer, and the Ombudsman.
Manage and oversee program development, public outreach, case coordination, and the Civil, Criminal, Family, Probation, Finance, Municipal, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Operations Divisions.
Oversee security, emergent facilities matters, jury utilization, research and development, complementary dispute resolution, volunteer coordination, records management, statistical analysis, and equipment planning.
Build and nurture a strong management team and set expectations for staff interactions with one another, the bench, and the public.
Make effective decisions in labor and employee relations matters, including grievances and disciplines.
Collaborate with Judiciary senior managers on statewide strategic initiatives and proposed uniform policies and procedures.
Reimagine, design, and plan implementation of court operations in a post-pandemic in-person and virtual hybrid environment.
Develop and maintain relationships with County Commissioners, the County Administrator, Surrogate, County Prosecutor, County Clerk, County Warden, and other County officials.
Coordinate courthouse security requirements with the Sheriff.
Negotiate space allocation and necessary renovations with the County to maintain the safety of employees and courthouse users.
Serve as a liaison with the county bar association.