Summary
Performs managerial-level quasi-judicial administrative work. He/she functions as the senior level Municipal Court executive officer to the Judge. The Court Administrator assumes responsibility for planning, scheduling and coordinating the activities of the court and oversees the assistant court administrator and the deputy court clerks, and acts as liaison between defendants, police department, and prosecuting attorney. The Court Administrator performs their duties with limited supervision and a considerable level of discretion.
Essential Duties & Required Qualifications
- Assist the Judge in the discharge of his/her duties and relieve him/her of all administrative duties possible, including the preparation of court orders for the signature of the Judge.
- Administer the court’s office, which includes all pre-court and post-court processing.
- Assist the Judge in all Court trials and pre-trials.
- Oversee the participation of the Court in the annual state-wide Warrant Roundup.
- Oversee and/or ensure the maintenance of accurate records.
- Establish procedures to ensure constant knowledge and progress of cases together with full accounting for money transactions.
- Oversee the preparation and management of the Municipal Court department budget.
- Lead interdepartmental court team that deals with Court-related issues, including building relationships with Police, Code Enforcement and Legal to carry out the functions of the Municipal Court.
- Oversee and/or ensure the preparation of required monthly, quarterly and year-end reports.
- Oversee and/or ensure the proper and efficient management of all court correspondence.
- Oversee and/or ensure the preparation of trial calendars and court call sheets.
- Oversee and/or ensure the maintenance of court dockets.
- Maintain familiarity with legislative changes and updating court forms and court procedures and court personnel.
- Serve as the Court’s contact with the public and with party litigants as appropriate.
- Sign or countersign court documents and process as required.
- Administer Oaths when necessary.
- Work with the Presiding Judge when necessary, regarding changes to municipal court fees and fine schedules.
- Oversee and/or ensure the preparation of cases for court; subpoena witnesses; prepare complaints and dockets; communicate with prosecuting attorney.
- Administer the Failure-To-Appear program. Ensure accurate information is reported to Texas DPS.
- Oversee and/or ensure the review of financial records of Court fines and fees collected; ensure accuracy of daily posting to General Ledger.
- Oversee and/or ensure the preparation of the warrant schedule for the Judge’s signature and deliver documents to the Police Department.
- Oversee and/or ensure the preparation of monthly and annual reports to the Department of Public Safety, or other state or federal agencies as required by state or federal statutes.
- Work closely with the Police Department regarding warrant status on a daily basis.
- Oversee and/or ensure the maintenance of records for the Court Bond account activity to include but not limited to posting and submitting a balanced report to the finance department all payment of fines and court costs received.
- Oversee and/or ensure the appropriate preparation of appeals to the County Court when necessary.
- Oversee and/or ensure the accurate preparation of court personnel time sheets for payroll department.
- Stay current with legislative changes as well as attorney general opinions and their relationship to court, update computer for legislative change in laws, policy, and attorney general opinions.
- Oversee and/or ensure effective working relationship with collection agencies in collecting delinquent fines.
- Be able to perform any of the duties of the Deputy Court Clerk as required.
- Oversee and/or ensure the maintenance of the Municipal Court website.
- Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of a department or function. Performs supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
- Supervise one or more direct reports, including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.
- Perform any other duties as required.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
AND,
- Five years of related experience and training.
OR,
- Equivalent combination (9 years) of education and experience.
Required Certificate and Licenses
- Municipal Court Clerk Certification.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university.
- Six or more years related experience or training.