The Court Administrator works under the direction and supervision of the Presiding Judge in accordance with General Rule 29 and all applicable state laws.

This position assumes full responsibility for the planning, directing, implementation, and management of all the non-judicial, day-to-day operations of the court. The Court Administrator develops and implements policies and procedures, the court budget, oversees personnel management and development, accounting, case-flow management, oversight of projects, grants, and contracts, establishes and maintains the court’s continuity of operations plan, and performs other responsibilities as required while also serving as the de facto department head of the Skagit County Law Library.

This position requires leadership and strategic vision, with the approval and collaboration of the judges, including but not limited to developing short- and long-term goals for effective court services. The Court Administrator, at the direction of the judges, is responsible for implementing those goals on behalf of Skagit County Superior Court.

Salary upon hire is $53.57/hr to $57.39/hr (step 1 through 3) depending upon qualifications.

Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 10 (top step is $71.28/hr.). The Superior Court Administrator (Superior Court) is Range 33 of the Non-rep salary schedule.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with judicial officers, attorneys, elected and appointed officials, justice partners, other branches of government, court staff, court customers, and members of the public. Works closely with the Law Library Board of Trustees.

Oversees daily court operations, including scheduling of hearings and trials. Proposes and implements changes to processes to ensure the effective delivery of court services.

Responsible for all non-judicial personnel including: hiring, training, supervising, and disciplining of court and law library employees; addressing complaints, grievances and disputes; resolving problems; maintaining personnel files as needed; implementing organizational changes; approving and scheduling leave time. Plans, assigns and reviews work of staff. Conducts employee evaluations.

Responsible for all financial functions of the court and law library, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash handling, purchasing, and audits. Oversees the development and administration of the court and law library budgets, in collaboration with the Presiding Judge and the Law Library Board of Trustees, respectively.

Informs, updates, and advises the presiding judge of financial conditions, program progress, and identifies issues and opportunities for improvement and/or policy changes.

Conducts the planning, management, and implementation for the changing physical, equipment, and technological needs of the court and Law Library, including space design, utilization, and maintenance.

Develops and implements policies and procedures for the court and law library.

Acts as the court liaison with other governmental entities, media, and the public. Attends and participates in meetings within the county and other entities on behalf of the court as directed.

Responsible for the management and coordination of public outreach and external communications for the court including through updates of the court’s website content and communication with the media.

Serves as the ADA Coordinator for the Skagit County Superior Court. Processes requests and maintains records.

Manages the Title 11, 13, and 26 Guardian ad Litem programs for Superior Court. Monitors, updates, and establishes registries for Titles 11 and 26. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Selecting a review committee.
• Reviewing all applications for new GALs to determine qualification appropriate.
• Authorizing & communicating to new GALs
• Overseeing and tracking number of cases assigned to each GAL
• Reviewing & approving authorized payment for services.

• Reviewing applications and authorizes new attorneys to be added to registry.
• Maintaining the registry of authorized arbitrators for Skagit County Superior Court.
• Maintaining the JIS arbitration system which includes setting up new cases, docketing, tracking, and closing upon award and settlement.
• Preparing arbitration package including strike list for attorneys or pro se litigants in a case.
• Reviewing and authorizing payment for arbitration services.

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

Bachelor’s Degree in judicial, public or business administration, plus two years’ experience in administration, operations, and personnel supervision, preferably in a court or legal environment.

ICM (Institute for Court Management) degree in conjunction with a bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience in a professional management position in the justice system or; eight years’ experience as an Assistant Administrator, Department Head, or equivalent in a Superior Court environment.

An ICM degree will be considered the equivalent of two years’ experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted which provides the skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Requires knowledge of:

• Policies, procedures, and laws pertaining to the operation of Courts.
• Principles of administration, planning supervision, and organization.
• Trends in Court management, State, Federal and local laws, office software tools and general budget and accounting concepts.
• Strategic planning for court operations.
• Legal process, legal technology, rules and statutes as they apply to court functions.
• General budget and accounting concepts.
• The National Association for Court Management (NACM) core competency curriculum for court managers which includes leadership, case flow management, vision and strategic planning, information technology management, Court community communication, resources, budget and finance and education training and development.
• Applicable employment laws, county, court and union contract provisions.

• Work and communicate effectively with judicial officers, court staff, the public, and other governmental entities in a multi-tasking environment.
• Exercise sound judgment, independence, and leadership while also serving under the direction of and in collaboration with the presiding judge.
• Make consequential work decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and court policies and procedures, often in situations where there may be little precedent.
• Work with constant interruptions, which require immediate decision-making and feedback.
• Accurately and efficiently oversee the financial, record-keeping, and scheduling procedures for the court.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Type and use word processing programs that are department specific such as calendaring, jury management, criminal and jury case programs.
• Utilize programs in several different databases and recommend improvements in those programs.
• Organize, train and lead the work of the non-judicial staff.
• Have strong organizational skills, with effective skills in management and team building, problem-solving, and follow-through.
• Understand and implement complex oral and written instructions or regulations.
• Demonstrate understanding of global perspective and organizational development and behavior.
• Consistently apply leadership principles, conflict resolution, proactive intervention, group facilitation and contract and negotiation skills.
• Communicate with the public, attorneys, litigants, and staff regarding court policies, procedures, and rules.
• Understand the court’s role within government as a separate and independent branch of government.
• Perform work diligently, efficiently, equitably, and thoroughly while demonstrating a commitment to fairness and transparency without bias or prejudice.
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Make quick and accurate decisions.