Court Administrator

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is seeking a Court Administrator to provide executive leadership for the Tribal Court System, overseeing operations, budgets, grants, and program performance. The role requires guiding institutional modernization while supporting judicial independence and tribal priorities.

The Director will supervise court departments, manage resources, and coordinate with tribal authorities to ensure efficient, compliant service delivery and strategic improvements in justice

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Public Administration or related field.
• Demonstrated leadership supervising cross-functional teams including judicial administrative personnel.
• Experience administering federal or state grants and managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily administrative operations of Tribal Court.
• Develop strategic plans and operational priorities for the Tribal Court System.
• Monitor program performance and ensure compliance with funding requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Court system knowledge

Grants management

Budgeting

Policy development

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Public Administration or related field

Tools

Court case management systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Court Administrator

202050-300-50030 FULL TIME EMPLOYEE 1 Attachments

4 days ago Requisition ID: 2229

Salary Range: $69,893.33 To $87,366.66 Annually

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Court Administrator/Director provides administrative leadership and strategic vision for the continued growth, modernization, and effectiveness of the Tribal Court operations while supporting judicial independence and the Tribe's long-term justice system priorities. The Tribal Court Administrator/Director is responsible for the overall planning, administration, fiscal management, and operating oversight of the Tribal Judicial System. The Court Administrator/Director ensures the efficient, effective, and professional delivery of court services in accordance with the Tribe's Constitution, Tribal Code, applicable laws, court rules, established policies, and funding requirements.

The Court Administrator/Director oversees court administrative departments, programs, personnel, budgets, grants, contracts, records, facilities, technology, and court operations. The Director supervises court administrative personnel and coordinates with judicial officers, committees, Tribal government departments, justice system partners, funding agencies, and the public to support the effective administration of justice.

The Court Administrator/Director serves as the principal administrative officer of the Tribal Court System and is responsible for developing and maintaining administrative policies, monitoring program performance, upholding fiscal accountability, securing resources, and leading improvements.

The Court Administrator/Director shall not interfere with judicial decision-making, participate in judicial deliberations, or exercise authority reserved to the Judges, Justices, Tribal Prosecutor, or Tribal Public Defender.

SUPERVISION:

The Court Administrator/Director will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, who will provide guidance, direction and conduct performance evaluations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Court Administration

• Direct and oversee the daily administrative operations of the Tribal Supreme Court and Tribal Court.
• Develop and implement strategic plans, long-term goals, and operational priorities that support the mission, vision, and continued development of the Tribal Court System.
• Evaluate court operations, identify emerging needs and challenges, and recommend strategies to improve efficiency, access to justice, accountability, and service delivery.
• Develop, implement, and maintain administrative policies, procedures, work plans, and performance standards aligned with established court priorities.
• Coordinate strategic initiatives, resource planning, and organizational improvements in collaboration with judicial leadership and appropriate Tribal authorities.
• Monitor progress toward established goals and prepare reports and recommendations regarding court performance, future needs, and system improvements.
• Ensure compliance with Tribal laws, court rules, administrative policies, and applicable funding requirements.

Personnel Management, Department and Program Oversight

• Supervise and oversee court administrative employees, departments, divisions, and assigned programs, including work assignments, staffing, performance evaluations, training, and professional development.
• Coordinate recruitment, hiring recommendations, personnel actions, and disciplinary matters in accordance with Tribal personnel policies.
• Manage departmental workloads, staffing levels, resources, and program operations to ensure efficient service delivery and accountability.
• Monitor program performance, identify operational needs, and recommend improvements to court services, staffing, and organizational structure.
• Ensure employees comply with court policies, confidentiality requirements, ethical standards, and established administrative procedures.
• Promote a professional, respectful, and culturally responsive work environment while respecting the independent judicial authority of Judges and Justices and the legal responsibilities of the Tribal Prosecutor and Tribal Public Defender.

Budget and Fiscal Management

• Prepare, administer, and monitor annual budgets for the Tribal Supreme Court, Tribal Court, and assigned programs.
• Oversee fiscal operations, including purchasing, purchase orders, travel authorizations, invoices, expenditures, and financial reporting.
• Monitor revenues, fines, fees, and court costs; ensure proper collection, documentation, reconciliation, and timely deposit of funds in accordance with Tribal financial policies.
• Maintain appropriate internal controls, monitor budget compliance, coordinate audits, and work with the Tribal Finance Department on accounting and financial matters.
• Oversee court supplies, equipment, inventory, and other financial and operational resources.

Grants, Contracts, and Funding

• Oversee the administrative and fiscal management of grants, contracts, and funding agreements, including Criminal Justice Contracts and COPS Grants.
• Identify funding opportunities and coordinate grant applications, budgets, work plans, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor grant expenditures, program activities, reporting deadlines, and compliance with funding requirements.
• Prepare or coordinate required financial and programmatic reports and maintain accurate grant records.
• Develop funding strategies to sustain and improve court programs and services.

Court Calendars, Dockets, and Case Flow

• Oversee administrative coordination of court calendars, docket management, and case flow procedures for criminal, civil, juvenile, and other court matters.
• Coordinate with Judges, Justices, and court staff to support timely scheduling, hearings, trials, and appellate proceedings.
• Monitor caseloads, case processing, and administrative backlogs and recommend improvements as needed.
• Coordinate Supreme Court of Appeals scheduling and related administrative requirements in consultation with the appropriate judicial authority.

Records, Data, and Reporting

• Oversee the maintenance, security, retention, and authorized release of court records, financial records, and administrative documents.
• Ensure accurate case management information, court statistics, and timely submission of required reports.
• Maintain appropriate procedures for confidential, juvenile, sealed, and restricted records.
• Coordinate the use and maintenance of court technology, electronic records systems, and information management procedures.

Policy Development and Tribal Code Coordination

• Develop and recommend administrative policies, procedures, and operational guidelines for the Tribal Court System.
• Identify operational or resource needs requiring changes to court policies, rules, or the Tribal Code of Justice.
• Coordinate recommendations and provide reports to the Chief Judge, Chief Justice, Judicial Committee, Tribal Council, or other designated authority, as appropriate.
• Monitor implementation of approved policies and support long-range court system planning.

Intergovernmental and Community Relations

• Serve as the administrative liaison between the Tribal Court System, Tribal Council, Judicial Committee, Tribal departments, funding agencies, and justice system partners.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, corrections, probation, social services, and other agencies on administrative matters.
• Prepare administrative reports, respond to authorized inquiries, and support cooperative agreements and intergovernmental initiatives.
• Promote professional, respectful, and culturally responsive service to Tribal members and the public while ensuring staff do not provide unauthorized legal advice.

Training, Facilities, and Technology

• Coordinate and/or provide training and professional development for court staff and administrative arrangements for judicial education in consultation with the appropriate judicial authority.
• Oversee administrative coordination of court facilities, equipment, supplies, safety, and maintenance.
• Identify technology, security, and infrastructure needs and coordinate improvements with the appropriate Tribal departments.
• Support continuity-of-operations planning and the effective use of court resources.

Ethics, Confidentiality, and Judicial Independence

• Maintain high standards of integrity, impartiality, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ensure compliance with applicable ethics, conflict-of-interest, financial accountability, and information security requirements.
• Refrain from participating in judicial deliberations, influencing judicial decisions, or interfering with court proceedings.
• Respect the independent judicial authority of Judges and Justices and the independent legal responsibilities of the Tribal Prosecutor and Tribal Public Defender.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Public Administration or a related field preferred. Candidates with equivalent experience are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated leadership experience supervising and managing a cross functional team, including senior-level judicial administrative personnel, department managers, and multiple program areas.
• Must possess strong leadership, organizational, personnel management, and decision-making skills, with the ability to oversee complex operations and maintain accountability across departments.
• Experience working in a Tribal court, Tribal government, or another court system.
• Experience administering federal or state grants, including criminal justice funding.
• Experience with court case management systems, docket administration, court statistics, and records management.
• Knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, Tribal court operations, the Tribal Code of Justice, and the principles of judicial independence.
• Experience developing operating budgets, monitoring expenditures, coordinating audits, and establishing internal financial controls.
• Experience managing multiple departments, programs, and funding sources.

SHIFT: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

TESTING AND BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS:

Subject to pre-employment, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

Tribal, State, and Federal background investigation and MVR screening required.

HIRING PREFERENCES:

Qualified applicants who are enrolled members of a federally recognized Tribe will receive Native American preference.

Qualified applicants will receive Veteran's Preference with submission of proof of honorable military service (e.g., DD-214).

Attachments (1)

Court Administrator.Director 11.13.2026.pdf