COURT OPERATIONS MANAGER

COMPENSATION UPDATE: Effective October 1, 2026, the salary range for this position will increase by 2%. Candidates hired on or after October 3, 2026, will be hired at the updated rate.

DEFINITION
Under direction of the Director of Court Operations or Deputy Director of Operations, and through subordinate Operations Supervisors I/II plans, manages and integrates the non-judicial administrative and operational functions of an assigned court unit; participates in developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies and standards applicable to the court's operations; participates in the implementation of trial court case management plans; provides advice and support to supervising judges, judicial officers, court management, and committees on effective court operations to support achievement of the court's business and justice system objectives; and performs related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics 

The Court Operations Manager classification is the first level in the court management series and is responsible for planning and managing non-judicial operations and administrative activities of an assigned court unit, under the direction of Deputy Director of Operations. Incumbents monitor operations to ensure they are efficient, effective and in compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations. Incumbents are expected to exercise leadership in implementing and managing policies and operational processes that deliver high-quality services. Work is broad in scope and requires operating independently.

Typical duties of the Court Operations Manager may include, but are not limited to:

1. Plans, organizes, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of the assigned supervisory and operational staff; with supervisors, develops, implements and monitors work plans to achieve unit objectives and work standards; oversees the preparation and maintenance of a variety of reports and statistical data.
2. Manages the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects new staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends compensation and provides other rewards to recognize performance; makes recommendations on grievances; subject to upper management concurrence, approves or takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with court Personnel Plan policies and labor contract agreements.
3. Provides day-to-day leadership and works with supervisors and staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports achieving the court's mission, objectives and values regarding teamwork, mutual trust and respect; applies process improvement and quality management principles to assigned area of responsibility.
4. Monitors the effectiveness of the assigned unit's operations; analyzes and resolves operational problems and internal and external customer complaints; conducts operational studies, researches and audits to ensure operational efficiency and compliance with applicable state and local rules and regulations; implements policies and methodologies to enhance court services; prepares policy and procedural memorandum and manuals; compiles and prepares status reports and workload statistics; and interacts with judicial officers when appropriate for problem resolution.
5. Serves as liaison for the county-wide court staff committees; holds regular meetings with members to review new legislation and policies for impact on operations; makes recommendations to the Deputy Director of Operations; informs managers and supervisors, and distributes information regarding new/revised legislation, policies and procedures; and ensures the revision and implementation of procedural changes to comply with new legislation and policies..
6. Assists in managing personnel functions for assigned court; assesses the unit's staffing needs and coverage to ensure adequate staffing; ensures accurate maintenance of staff attendance records; coordinates vacation schedules; may conduct attendance audits; may conduct disciplinary investigations; plans, organizes, coordinates, and conducts staff training and develops training plans and materials.
7. Oversees the daily cash opening and closing procedures of the unit, including money distribution, balancing/reconciliation, overrides, bail refunds, etc.; ensures fiscal records are kept in accordance with court fiscal policies, and coordinates fiscal matter with departmental management.
8. Assesses facilities and equipment needs and prepares facility and service requests; assists in coordinating facility repairs and improvements; reviews and recommends purchase orders and requisitions; identifies and participates in resolving security issues; conducts regular safety inspections; and completes incident reports if needed.
9. Monitors case processing activities to ensure proper custody, maintenance, storage and disposal of court records; coordinates the resolution of case flow management issues with judicial officers and staff; assists in analyzing case activity to project future staffing, information systems and facility needs; monitors the correct receipt, maintenance, archival, issuance and destruction of legal documents, case files and exhibits.
10. Participates in assigned special projects and leads internal working groups.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in California Superior Court operations, at least two (2) of which were at a supervisory level; or an equivalent combination of additional training and work experience. 

 Highly Desirable:

Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a major in business, public administration, management or a closely related field.

 Knowledge of:

• Court organization, ordinances, rules, policies and procedures relating to the management of the assigned court unit;
• Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program development and implementation;
• Court and courtroom processes and procedures;
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to area of assigned responsibility;
• General functions and organization of the judicial system, including areas of litigation and the roles and functions of other legal and law enforcement agencies.
• Principles and practices of public administration, including planning, budgeting, purchasing and maintaining public records;
• The court's information technology systems as applied to court operations;
• Principles and practices of case and calendar management;
• Principles and practices of project management;
• Research methods and statistical analysis techniques;
• Computers and applicable software applications;
• Principles and practices of effective business communications;
• Customer service standards, policies, procedures and etiquette;
• Principles and practices of effective management/supervision; and,
• Court Personnel Plan policies and labor contract provisions.

Ability to:

• Plan and manage the operations and functions of an assigned unit within a court;
• Identify problems/issues involving assigned court operations, perform difficult analyses and research, evaluate alternatives and develop sound conclusions and recommendations;
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply local, state and federal policy, laws and regulations applicable to area of responsibility;
• Perform project management responsibilities, including developing effective project plans, establishing priorities, monitoring and managing task completion, anticipating problems and working collaboratively with team members to ensure successful project results;
• Develop and implement appropriate procedures and controls;
• Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive studies, reports, correspondence and other written materials;
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to different audiences and facilitate understanding/agreement;
• Represent the court effectively in dealings with external agencies and vendors;
• Present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively;
• Operate a computer and use standard business and case management software;
• Use tact and diplomacy dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work; and,
• Monitor and evaluate subordinate staff, prioritize and assign work, and provide coaching and guidance.

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to ten (10) pounds unaided. Vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  

Mental Demands 

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; observes and interprets people and situations; learns and applies new information and skills; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.  

Work Environment 

The employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet.  

Special Requirements 

A valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the court's vehicle insurance program.