The City of Thornton is seeking a Court Administrator to lead and manage the operations of our Municipal Court. This key leadership role ensures efficient court processes, compliance with laws and regulations, and a commitment to service excellence. Under administrative direction, the Court Administrator manages the overall operations and activities of the City’s municipal court.
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)
Manages the organization, staffing, operational activities, and services of the Municipal Court; supervises the development and maintenance and integrity of record keeping and case management systems.
Oversees the preparation, processing, and distribution of summonses, subpoenas, warrants, and other legal documents. Maintains court recordings and equipment and oversees agencies used to transcribe and certify matters on appeal.
Develops and implements municipal court goals, objectives, policies, and procedures. Evaluates court operations and recommends improvements; handles problems within the division. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines.
Prepares written reports analyzing activities and issues, researches and evaluates options, and recommends solutions.
Directs retention of storage records; monitoring the destruction of records according to the State Archives.
Manages, supervises and directs the activities of assigned staff and functions; makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, termination or advancement of employees. Schedules employees, assigns work, and monitors progress; guides, trains and develops employees in the accomplishment of their duties and professional growth; evaluates performance.
Develops standards of performance to improve the division’s overall effectiveness and efficiency. Organizes and presents regular court staff/management/judicial meetings and is responsible for the dissemination of information amongst Court staff and judges.
Coordinates with Municipal Judge, Thornton Police Department, City management, and prosecuting attorneys to ensure smooth court operations and effective case flow management.
Collaborates with Human Resources and Judicial Appointment and Retention Advisory Commission (JARAC) to conduct yearly judicial evaluation of Presiding Judge as directed by City Council. Collaborates with Human Resources and JARAC on Associate Judge retention/hiring process every two years.
Prepares and administers the division budget; forecasts necessary funds for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies. Submits budget recommendations and justifications. Monitors expenditures against approved budget.
Acts as project manager for various projects to include Court facility design, office remodels, implementation of Court software and other technological advances.
Oversees delinquent fine referral process with outside collection agency.
Oversees electronic interfaces with various outside agencies.
Coordinates and monitors video arraignment process with Adams County jail.
Prepares and presents narrative and statistical reports and other necessary documents or correspondence to management and appropriate boards, groups, or committees.
Evaluates proposed and adopted legislation for impacts on municipal court.
Creates and presents reports associated to the Municipal Court operations to City Council and/or City Manager’s Office.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Court Administration, or related field from an accredited college or university; five years of progressively responsible related experience, preferably in municipal court operations; three years of supervisory experience, preferably in court management and operations. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Licensing/Certification Requirements:
Fellowship in the Institute for Court Management is desirable.
May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the City of Thornton and the department.
Knowledge of the City of Thornton Municipal Code and Thornton City Charter.
Knowledge of City of Thornton personnel policies and procedures.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, including organizational development, management, budgeting, employee supervision, and training.
Knowledge of court procedures, case flow management principles, legal terminology, and the interpretation of legal documents pertaining to municipal courts.
Knowledge of state and local laws pertaining to municipal courts.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
Knowledge of open records and confidentiality requirements regarding municipal court records and documents.
Skill in developing and monitoring the division’s budget.
Skill in preparing detailed statistical reports.
Skill in developing and implementing appropriate municipal court goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
Skill in coordinating and managing the organization, staffing, operational activities, and services of the division.
Ability to effectively supervise the development and maintenance of municipal court record keeping and case management systems.
Ability to evaluate court operations and make recommendations for improvements.
Ability to understand comprehensive operation and to develop long and short-term strategies to meet the goals of the operation, City, or City Council.
Ability to be innovative and creating in management of the division in an often changing and challenging environment.
Ability to prepare written reports, analyze activities or issues, research and evaluate options and recommend solutions.
Ability to supervise, direct and train employees.
Ability to interpret, understand, and comply with complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and laws.
Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
Ability to research, develop and lead formal and informal presentations and discussions with diverse groups.
Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, presentation, data base management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, management, legal and law enforcement agencies and the general public.
Ability of prioritize job responsibilities through flexibility.
Physical and Mental Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, lift, finger, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity.
Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.
Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.
As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.
