Court Operations Manager

Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma is seeking an Administrative Director to oversee the Operations Division. The role provides administrative direction for court-wide program services, coordinates with other departments and partners, and supports the Court Executive Officer and Assistant Court Executive Officer.

The position requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and policy interpretation skills, with experience in budgeting, supervision, and public administration.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and management skills for directing the Operations Division.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement divisional goals, policies, and procedures.
• Experience in budgeting, staffing, and performance evaluation in a public agency.
• Knowledge of public administration, court operations, and regulatory context.

Responsibilities

• Assumes full management responsibility for all services and activities of the assigned Operations Division.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the division.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and manages division personnel; evaluates and reviews work for conformance with standards.
• Determines equipment acquisition, training programs, and procedural changes to ensure effective service delivery.
• Represents the division to other Court divisions and outside agencies; negotiates and resolves significant issues.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Supervision

Policy interpretation

Public administration

Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, or related field

Job description

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of an assigned Operations Division including court-wide program services to serve the public, judicial officers, and governmental partners; coordinates assigned activities with other Court departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among Court departments and with judicial officers, justice partners, external agencies, and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the Court Executive Officer and Assistant Court Executive Officer in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

Note: Interviews are tentatively scheduled for November 2–5.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives administrative direction from the Assistant Court Executive Officer (ACEO). Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff directly and through subordinate levels of supervision.

Class Characteristics

This is a management classification that oversees, leads, and participates in all activities of an assigned Operations Division, including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of divisional and departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the ACEO in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, the role of the Judicial Council, and Court functions and activities. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the division with those of other divisions and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the division.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all services and activities of the assigned Operational Division including court-wide program services to serve the public, judicial officers, and governmental partners.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the division; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; and manages the implementation of change.
• Identifies and communicates resource needs and possible solutions and resources.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and manages division personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with division and department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Determines equipment acquisition, training programs, and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the community in an effective, efficient, and economical manner.
• Effectively manages coordination and interaction across Court operational and administrative areas; addresses related matters in other case-type proceedings; maintains court-wide standardization where possible.
• Monitors and implements regulatory, technology, and societal changes that may affect the work of the assigned division; reviews, interprets, and analyzes trends, court decisions, new legal requirements, laws, and pending legislation to determine the impact on operations; seeks input and confers with administration and staff to assess operational effectiveness within the division.
• Contributes to and ensures maintenance of training materials to stay current with legislation, Rules of Court, policies and procedures, and development of evaluation methods to assess progress towards achieving a highly competent workforce; participates in Court academies and new employee orientation.
• Participates in special projects related to automated systems; prepares case management statistics; works with other divisions on the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of automated systems.
• Represents the division to other Court divisions and departments, elected officials, justice partners, and outside agencies; explains and interprets division programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of division organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates in and makes presentations to executive management and other groups as assigned; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the assigned operational area.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the ACEO.
• Responds to public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations; serves as a spokesperson for the division on Court, regional, and state committees; liaises with other trial courts, local and statewide organizations, and government agencies.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all Court and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, public policy, criminal justice, business administration, or a closely related field and seven (7) years of increasingly responsible Court experience, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory capacity.

Knowledge of

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development and implementation, and evaluation and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles, practices, and procedures of public administration in a court setting.
• Functions, authority, and responsibilities of the Judicial Council.

• In-depth comprehension of court operations including laws, code of ethics, and rules governing the operation of a court.
• Relationship of the Court to various justice partners and other public and community agencies.
• Legal terminology, forms, and procedures relevant to the assigned operational area.
• Use of applicable case management systems and other advanced technology tools.

• Methods and techniques of developing technical and administrative reports, and business correspondence.
• Court and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Court staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.?
• Provide administrative and professional leadership for the division.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional, and technical personnel.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.?
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Utilize data to monitor trends and operational performance.
• Review, analyze, and report on relevant literature, codes, laws, and records.
• Implement and utilize technology tools to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Interpret and implement statutes, Rules of Court, and policies applicable to court operations.
• Effectively manage in a diverse work environment serving a multicultural community.
• Effectively represent the Court and the division in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licenses and Certifications

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain compliance with the Court’s vehicle insurance policy, or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related duties.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

The Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma is committed to creating a diverse environment and an open, inclusive culture free from bias. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Accommodation

Applicants with a disability who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing [e-mail] upon submittal of application.

Background Investigation

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a thorough background check, including verification of prior employment, and the provision of appropriate identifying documents to certify eligibility to work in the United States. Please be advised that finalist(s) must be fingerprinted for criminal record check purposes and that continued employment is contingent upon information received in the report. Convictions, depending upon the type, number and date, may be disqualifying. False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.