Current Employment Opportunities

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Job Descriptions 

• State Court Administrator

• Deputy State Court Administrator

• Regional Administrator

• Legal Counsel

• Judicial Conduct Disciplinary Board

• Judicial Council/Conference

• Directors/Coordinators

• Analysts

• Court Services

• Information Technology Administration

• Finance

• Public Relations/Information

• Administrative

• Editor

• Human Resources

State Court Administrator

STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR: Washington State Supreme Court, Olympia, WA. Summary: The Washington State Court System is structured in a non-unified configuration which places unique responsibility on the State Court Administrator. The State Court Administrator is responsible for the management of personnel and operations at all levels. Duties: Serves the Supreme Court and other appellate and trial courts as the state court chief administrative officer to include management and direction of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Directs the development and implementation of the AOC objectives and policies. Serves as liaison for the judicial branch in its relations with the legislature and in that role directs the development of the legislative agenda and annual appropriate; coordinates the judiciary’s testimony at numerous legislative hearings. Serves as liaison for the court in matters involving executive branch departments and agencies. Directs the provision of support to the trial court associations and serves as a member of the Board for Judicial Administration. Oversees innovative projects and programs that meet the diverse current and future needs of the state courts. Provides leadership and coordination of AOC services; is responsible for planning, directing, implementing and managing the operations and functions of the Administrator for the Courts office. Provides fiscal policy and direction for the Supreme Court budget, including audit and budget development and expenditures, fiscal policies and the procedures, including the preparation, presentation and monitoring of the annual budget, payroll, purchasing and accounts payable. Identifies emerging issues that may impact the courts and makes recommendations for meeting challenges. Coordinates with county and municipal units of government to support local court. Responsible for the management and coordination of external communications for the court, including television news and print media. Provides appropriate public accountability through media relations and efforts designed to retain public trust and confidence in the judicial branch of government. Serves as an advocate for an independent judiciary. Oversees and coordinates the provision  of electronic and data services to address the information and technology requirements of all levels of the courts. Manages a complex and varied information system involving user groups and committees from all court levels. Handles or oversees sensitive, complex or critical issues. Responsible for hiring, training, supervising and corrective action related to employees. Plans, assigns and reviews the work of staff, conducts employee performance evaluations and recommends salary increases. Qualifications: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. A degree in law or an advanced degree in business administration, judicial administration, public administration or related discipline is preferred. Impeccable character and integrity. Working knowledge and understanding of the structure and operations of state courts and a passion for assisting and improving them. Responsiveness, imagination and creativity to identify needs and issues affecting the state courts and develop programs and services to meet them. Outstanding strategic thinking skills. Willingness and ability to develop the resources and revenues necessary to support the Washington Courts programs an services and the ability to manage them effectively. Experience and ability to represent the Washington Courts publicly and to articulate and effectively advocate for the state court community. Superb written and verbal communication skills. Proven success in establishing the profile of an organization. Experience working effectively with the media. Organizational leadership experience involving setting strategic direction, engaging multiple stakeholders and previous experience working with a governing board. Proven ability to recruit, develop and manage a diverse professional staff. Proven success in the management and leadership of technology enhancements of court business operations. Salary: $125,000 DOQ. (2006)

STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR (General Description): Summary: Under direction of the Supreme court, the SCA manages the Administrative Office of the Courts and develops and implements administrative policies and services for the judicial branch. Duties: Ensures the AOC and the courts have a clear mission, vision and shared values; and develops the strategic plan for the judiciary. Ensures court operations and judicial administrative needs are identified, evaluated, and incorporated into appropriate long and short range plans; establishes priorities, and secures resources to accomplish those priorities. Addresses financial and operational problems related to legislative action and lobbies the Legislature for changes; and reviews and approves proposed budgets submitted by the courts. Identifies issues that may benefit from technology solutions and ensures their implementation. May have similar oversight responsibilities or adult and/or juvenile probation departments. Qualifications: Master’s degree in court, public, or business administration or a related degree, and ten years experience in court management.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COURTS: AOC, Sacramento, California. Summary: Under constitutional authority, serves as secretary to the Judicial Council; carries out council policies throughout the judicial branch; serves as the primary administrative advocate for the branch; serves as the appointing authority for the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC); performs related work as assigned. This is the highest executive-level position in the Administrative Office of the Courts.  The incumbent provides the highest level of policy and programmatic leadership for the AOC and is the chief spokesperson and the appointing authority for the agency.  Under the direction of the council and the Chief Justice, the incumbent provides similar leadership and advocacy for the branch. Duties:   Directs the development and implementation of AOC goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards. Develops and implements AOC programs in furtherance of Judicial Council policies and priorities. Directs the development and administration of the AOC’s budget.   Negotiates program policy and service agreements with state courts and other government entities. Creates performance and development plans for direct reports, conducts periodic discussions about progress on performance and development plans, and prepares written performance reviews and discusses same with assigned staff.Reviews and modifies recommendations to courts, the Governor, and the Legislature to adopt rules for court administration, practice, and procedure. Represents the judiciary to external customers, including the other branches of government; presents Judicial Council policy positions and the judicial branch budget to the state Legislature. Serves as secretary to the Judicial Council. Serves as the appointing authority for the AOC. Resolves emerging problems related to AOC policy and personnel. Qualifications: Equivalent to possession of a bachelor’s degree and eight years of increasingly responsible experience in a relevant field, including a minimum of five years of increasingly responsible management experience or One year as a Chief Deputy Director or two years as a Bureau or Division Director with the judicial branch. (2005)

STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR: Virginia Supreme Court. The state court administrator serves as the chief executive officer for the Chief Justice and Supreme Court in the administration of the judicial branch of state government.  The administrator directs a central office staff of 125 personnel in the development of broad initiatives and in the management of the business operations of the court system.  Initiatives are offered primarily through development of the Comprehensive Judicial Plan; this process consists of conducting research and analysis, presenting policy proposals, and implementing those adopted.  Major components of the court system's business operations include providing all technology services for the 325 courts and 110 magistrate offices throughout the Commonwealth and presenting all continuing legal education programs for the 2700 judges, clerks, magistrates, and court personnel.  By consulting with interested parties, the administrator's office develops and manages the systems that support court officials as they exercise their responsibilities. Systems include alternative dispute resolution programs; legal research; best practices consulting; customer services; creation of statewide court forms; accounting, docketing and calendar management systems; human resources administration; payroll; purchasing.  The administrator has oversight of the judicial branch budget of $275 million, including its preparation and advocacy as well as administration of the adopted budget.  The administrator serves as liaison with the legislative and executive branches of state government, the Bar, and the public on matters affecting the judicial branch and provides the Chief Justice with current information on issues and operations.  At a minimum, the appointee must be a Virginia resident, must be a member of the Virginia State Bar, and must have been admitted to the Virginia State Bar at least five years immediately prior to appointment.  The most competitive applicants will have comparable executive and leadership experience as well as demonstrate oversight competence in the areas of responsibility described. (2004)

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Archived AOC Positions 1992-1999