Job Details

Announces an open recruitment for:

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

$230,000.00 - $265,000.00 Annually

Final Filing: 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2025

The Court is conducting an open recruitment for the classification of Executive Officer. The individual appointed to this position will serve under the general direction of the Presiding Judge and in alignment with legal standards and court rules. The Court Executive Officer (CEO) holds comprehensive responsibility for the administration and operations of the Court. Key areas of oversight include personnel management, budget administration, contracts, calendar coordination, technology, jury services, facilities, and records management. Additionally, the Court Executive Officer provides strategic recommendations on procedural and administrative improvements and leads public relations efforts.

This role requires independent decision-making across a broad range of functions within established policy and regulatory guidelines. The Executive Officer provides overarching leadership to all non-judicial staff, ensuring effective management through various supervisory levels. This is an executive level, at will, position.

The ideal candidate will have served as either a CEO or a senior management executive in a trial court, meeting the minimum experience requirements specified in the position announcement. This individual will bring a proven record of innovation across operational, technological, and budgetary areas, combined with inspiring, visionary leadership. They will be actively engaged in modern court management practices and show commitment to positive and supportive employee relations, demonstrated through successful employee training, satisfaction, and retention initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Presiding Judge and in accordance with state and local court rules, the Court Executive Officer is responsible for managing the following areas:

1. Personnel: Provide leadership and supervision for court employees, draft and administer a personnel plan in compliance with California Rules of Court, rule 10.670. The CEO is authorized to hire, manage, discipline, and terminate non-judicial court staff as per the personnel plan.
2. Budget: Advise the Presiding Judge on budget priorities, develop and execute the court's budget, and oversee accounting, payroll, and financial controls to ensure fiscal responsibilities.
3. Contracts: With prior approval from the Presiding Judge, negotiate contracts following established procedures and applicable law.
4. Calendar Management: Oversee effective calendar and case management systems, analyze caseloads, and recommend improvements.
5. Technology: Assess, recommend, and implement technological solutions to enhance our court operations.
6. Jury Management: Optimize the jury system to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
7. Facilities: Plan for physical space requirements and oversee the procurement and management of equipment and supplies.
8. Records Management: Develop and maintain uniform record-keeping systems for judicial business and internal operations, as required by the Court and Judicial Council.
9. Operational Recommendations: Identify operational challenges and recommend improvements to the Presiding Judge and Executive Committee.
10. Public Relations: Under the Presiding Judge's guidance, manage public relations efforts, including press releases, court website content, and public engagement activities.
11. Liaison Role: Act as a liaison with other government agencies as directed by the Presiding Judge.
12. Committee Support: Provide administrative support to judicial committees.
13. Additional Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned by the Presiding Judge.

The Court Executive Officer holds full management authority over daily court operations, with direct supervision of all non-judicial employees through subordinate managers and supervisors. Operating under the Presiding Judge's guidance, the CEO exercises significant discretion in handling assignments and must apply sound judgement to ensure efficient court operation and positive public relations.

Experience and Education:

Any combination of training and experience appropriate to the position of Court Executive Officer, including knowledge of court administrative principles and practices; comprehensive understanding of the functions, organization, and process of a trial court and the judicial system; and familiarity and experience with the implementation of court administrative best practices.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a bachelor's degree AND at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a court environment, including at least two (2) years in an executive management capacity (e.g., Court Executive Officer, Assistant or Deputy Court Executive Officer).

Optional:

Master's degree in public, business, or criminal justice administration or a closely related field, or substantially similar educational attainment. Proven track record of encouraging and promoting organizational, operational, and/or technological innovation. Proven track record of fostering positive and supportive employee relations.

License and Certification Requirements:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by the time of appointment.

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

Prior experience as a Court Executive Officer. Graduation from the National Center for State Courts Executive Development Program or substantially similar certification program.

Application and Selection Process:

Interested individuals must submit a resume and cover letter, complete a court application and respond to the supplemental questions online and must provide a valid email address. Only applications submitted electronically will be considered. To apply go to: click on the Careers tab then click on the Current Employment Opportunities link. All communications will be via email. Please add contracosta.courts.ca.gov and government.jobs.com to your email address book to ensure delivery of emails. For additional information email: ...@contracosta.courts.ca.gov or call Human Resources at 925-###-####.

Depending on the number of applications received, an application evaluation committee may be convened to review and evaluate each candidate's application package, and those deemed best qualified will be invited to an oral interview. The court reserves the right to revise this process in accordance with the Court Personnel Plan and accepted selection practices.