Manager, Court Operations

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MANAGER, COURT OPERATIONS (Judicial Internal Only)

LOCATION: Capital Judicial Center, Augusta

This position is for internal Judicial candidates only

General Summary

This is highly responsible administrative work, overseeing and managing the operations of assigned Clerks of Court Offices, with emphasis on effective case management procedures, and helping to maintain consistent court operations statewide.  In this role, each Manager of Court Operations will work closely with the Chief of Court Operations, court operations staff including other Managers, trial court chiefs, judges, clerks, and all areas of administration to create and maintain timely, efficient, and consistent court operational standards. The Manager supervises Clerks of Court in the MJB Regions assigned.  Additionally, the Manager serves as a member of the Project Management Team for developing and maintaining digital case management and electronic filing solutions for court case management. Extensive intra-state travel is required.

Salary Range: 

Grade 21, $97, $125,590.40

What We Offer:

At the Maine Judicial Branch, we value our employees, which is why we offer great benefits. In addition to competitive pay, we provide:

• Work-life balance: 13 paid holidays, 2+ weeks of vacation leave, and 12 paid sick days every year.

• Gym membership and childcare reimbursement programs

• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

• Health insurance coverage (85%-100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)

• Health insurance premium credit (5% decrease in employee premiums)

• Dental insurance (100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)

• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts

• Defined Benefit Pension plan contributions

• Voluntary deferred compensation (retirement savings 457 Plan)

• Tuition Reimbursement each year

• Employer-paid life insurance (1x annual salary)

• Longevity pay after 10 years of employment

• Temporary disability payments

• Additional wellness benefits

Essential Job Functions*

• Assist in the state-wide development of case management procedures that comply with law, rule, and/or statewide clerk operations policy.

• Oversee the implementation of procedures related to case management and court operations, including digital case management and electronic filing as it relates to Clerk of Court operations.

• Monitor dockets in assigned area trial courts relative to case scheduling completion standards and trial court efficiency measures and helps, in coordination with clerks, process managers, and jurists to implement solutions to identified problems.

• Maintain and oversee court case records throughout assigned court regions.

• Work with trial court chiefs, judges/justices, and clerks to develop and implement measures to alleviate backlogs.

• Assist the trial court chiefs and the Chief of Court Operations in their efforts to achieve consistent and efficient court operations.

• Serve on project teams tasked with the implementation of initiatives that affect court operations.

• Supervise a dozen or more Clerks of Court and their staff in the court regions assigned.  Managers of Court Operations are expected to utilize both in-person as well as remote communications to effect this supervision.

• Is responsible for the operation of Clerks' Offices and their intersection with other parts of the Judicial Branch and external entities, as assigned and in coordination with the Chief of Court Operations 

• Work with the clerks of court and judges and justices to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of assigned clerks' offices.

• Provide clerk expertise and perspective for the project support team tasked with development and maintenance of the MJB case management system.

• Conduct audits of clerks' offices (operations reviews) in coordination with the Chief of Court Operations and Field Operations staff and ensure the implementation of appropriate office improvement plans based upon the results of those audits.

• Monitor dockets in trial courts assigned relative to case completion standards and develop and implement changes in clerks' offices where needed.

• Work to ensure adequate staffing of assigned clerks offices; participates in selection of staff, particularly supervisory staff.

• Along with the Chief of Court Operations and Trial Court Chiefs (or their designee), select Clerks of Court.

• Review and evaluate issues related to office workload and make recommendations to the Chief of Court Operations.

• Serves as a member of the administrative team and ensures coordination of activities with other administrative areas, particularly regarding court management, use of information technology, and the clerks of court.

• May provide emergency technical assistance and temporary coverage, as needed, for assigned Clerks of Court Offices to help bridge staffing deficiencies.

• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and other MJB policies.

• Consult with Human Resources and the Chief of Court Operations regarding matters related to discipline and/or grievance.

• Responsible for coordination of personnel related matters, including the initiation of payroll changes, monitoring of overtime/comp time and leave balances.

• Respond to inquiries and complaints within and outside of the court system.

Skills, Experience, Training and Education:

• Bachelor of Arts or Science (BA/BS) degree in court administration, public administrations, business administration, or a related field; three years experience working in a court clerk's office or in a clerk of court operational support function; and a minimum of two years of supervisory experience.  An equivalent combination of education training and experience will also be considered.

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of clerk office management.

• Fluency with computerized word processing, spreadsheets and database programs is strongly preferred, and will be required within a short period of time after initial employment.

• Strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Considerable knowledge of Maine trial courts and experience with multiple case types.

• Considerable knowledge of case processing in trial courts.

• Proven capacity to work with evolving or innovative technology

• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, including supervision and budgeting.

• Ability to research and draft procedures and policies for judicial review.

• Proven ability to work positively in a changing system.

• Knowledge of functions and responsibilities of the Judicial Branch.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with judges/justices, court personnel, governmental officials, and the public.

• Ability to coordinate activities with other areas of responsibility within the court system.

How to Apply:

Cover letter, resume, and online application must be submitted online at

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 If you have any questions about the online application process, please contact the Judicial Branch Human Resources Department