Trial Division Director

Ottawa County; West Olive (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Benefits package

Job summary

Ottawa County is seeking a high-level administrator to direct all non-judicial functions of the Trial Division for multiple case types. You will lead strategic initiatives, manage budgets, and ensure access to justice.

The role requires extensive supervisory experience, a strong background in court administration, and compliance with Michigan Court Rules and related standards. Based in Grand Haven/West Olive, with regular duties at multiple county locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in judicial administration or related field with four years of progressively responsible court experience.
• Master's Degree or JD strongly preferred with supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Directs non-judicial functions of the Trial Division for criminal, civil, domestic relations and appellate cases.
• Supervises Trial Division staff, interns and volunteers; manages scheduling and training.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Policy development

Supervisory experience

Customer service

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in judicial administration

Master's degree or Juris Doctor

Tools

LEIN knowledge

Public finance management

Job description

Under the direction of the Circuit Court Administrator, directs all non-judicial functions of the Trial Division in criminal, civil, domestic relations and appellate cases. Supervises the activities of employees engaged in providing customer service, caseflow management, felony collections, court reporting and other administrative court services. Coordinates alternative dispute resolution and attorney/referee hearing processes. Develops and implements policies/procedures to promote access to justice, maximize use of judicial and other resources, increase efficiency of court operations, and enhance service to the public. Ensures administrative compliance with Michigan Court Rules, State Court Administrative Office requirements, and legal requirements governing Trial Division operations. Develops and implements the Trial Division budget.

This is a full-time, benefitted position based out of the Grand Haven Courthouse at 414 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417 with time also spent at the Family Justice Center located at 12240 Fillmore Street, West Olive, MI 49460. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Essential Job Functions

• Serves as a member of the Circuit/Probate Court Leadership Team and participates in the development and implementation of policies/procedures to promote access to justice, maximize use of judicial and other resources, increase efficiency of court operations, and enhance service to the public. Serves as a member of the Strategic Planning Oversight Team, participating in the strategic execution of the Courts' mission, vision and core values. Participates in the planning and implementation of technology enhancements for the Trial Division.
• Supervises Trial Division employees, interns and volunteers, including participation in selection, professional development, performance evaluation; coaching/discipline, and policy administration. Oversees staff scheduling to ensure adequate coverage. Responsible for ensuring excellent customer service. Consistent with the Court's strategic plan, identifies goals and objectives for employees, and provides access to training and development opportunities to facilitate professional and personal growth.
• Develops and implements policies/procedures to ensure all caseflow management, felony collections, court reporting, ADR, and other administrative court services comply with Michigan Compiled Laws, Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office requirements. Monitors new and pending legislation, rules, and judicial precedents regarding criminal, civil, domestic relations, and appellate litigation to ensure policies/procedures maintain compliance. Monitors and reports on various performance measures required by the Court and State Court Administrative Office.
• Develops various Trial Division budgets for review and approval by the Court Administrator and Chief Judge; administers annual appropriations approved by the County Board of Commissioners. Coordinates financial and program audits as required by the Michigan Supreme Court and State Court Administrative Office. Develops program specific grant applications and manages grant funds.
• Supervises the felony collections process, developing standard operating policies/procedures to ensure compliance with Michigan Court Rules; prepares monthly collections reports for the Court.
• Directs the scheduling of pretrial conferences and trials for criminal, civil, domestic relations, and appellate cases; coordinates case scheduling with the Prosecutor's Office, defense attorneys, Friend of the Court Division, and other interested parties. Receives and reviews requests for adjournments, granting or denying requests based on established criteria. Processes incoming appeals from lower courts and administrative agencies; processes outgoing appeals to the Court of Appeals.
• Screens all mail received by the Court to ensure distribution is appropriate and will not foster ex parte communication nor create a conflict of interest which may prejudice a pending case.
• Supervises the LEIN warrant entry and recall process, maintains required LEIN security, meets LEIN audit standards, and serves as Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) and Local Agency Security Officer (LASO).
• Supervises the alternative dispute resolution process, developing standard operating policies/ procedures to ensure compliance with Michigan Court Rules and the Court's ADR Plan.
• Oversees court reporting services which provide back-up and/or overflow transcription services to ensure reporters/recorders are available for all scheduled proceedings and permanent records of proceedings are transcribed, certified and filed with the Clerk of the Court within statutory time limits.
• Prepares annual Approved Bondsmen list for Circuit, District and Probate courts. Ensures proper legal documentation is in order.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Training And Experience

Bachelor's Degree in judicial administration, public administration, business administration or a related field (Master's Degree or Juris Doctor strongly preferred), combined with four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a court or related legal setting, including at least two (2) years in a supervisor capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses And Certifications

Must be certified by the State of Michigan as a Certified Electronic Operator or obtain the certification within one year of employment. Must be certified by the Michigan State Police as a LEIN Operator, Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) and Local Agency Security Officer (LASO); or obtain these certifications within one year of employment. Valid driver's license.

Additional Requirements And Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Thorough working knowledge of the principles of judicial administration.
• Thorough working knowledge of law related to processing circuit court cases.
• Thorough working knowledge of the structure and operations of Michigan court systems.
• Thorough working knowledge of Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office requirements.
• Thorough working knowledge of public finance and court budgeting.
• Thorough working knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Thorough working knowledge of legal terminology and legal research methods and resources.
• Thorough working knowledge of grant procurement and administration.
• Thorough working knowledge of program assessment and evaluation.
• Computer literacy, including familiarity with word-processing, spreadsheet, database management and court related applications software.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact positively and objectively with elected officials, county and state officials, media representatives and members of the general public with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.

Working Conditions

Work is generally performed in a normal office environment.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Unclassified Benefits Summary for more information.

The current Unclassified group manual can be viewed here.

The Ottawa County Universal Wage Scale can be found here.

• Part-time benefitted positions will receive prorated benefits.