Court Administrator/Program Director

SUMMARY Court Administration: Administer and manage all non-judicial functions of Tribal Court. Responsible for ensuring all aspects of the Tribal Court system operate effectively and efficiently and shall provide relief to the presiding Judge of administrative tasks. Ensure maintenance of court policies, procedures and rules.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree from a four-year college or university or high school diploma with three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent knowledge of tribal and state court operations and ability to incorporate tribal, state and federal court rules, statues, codes into decision-making functions.
• Must have strong computer, work processing, data collections, writing and speaking skills.
• Must have a valid unrestricted driver license and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate court activities, processes and procedures, including service of process and notice of court action, utilization, case scheduling and tracking; personnel assignment, space and equipment allocation to accomplish orderly processing of court cases.
• Collaborate and conduct program development and strategic planning.
• Ensure Tribal Court administration meets Tribal, Federal and grants administrative requirements.
• Develop effective, efficient and responsive case flow management systems, including form development, development of office procedure manuals, court user information materials and brochures, etc., as directed by supervisor(s) and/or Tribal Judiciary.
• Shall, in conjunction with the Court Clerk, maintain and generate Tribal Court records and reports, compile Court data and statistics, certify necessary documents, attend Court sessions, schedule and calendar proceedings, take minutes for record when in Court and perform legal processing assignments when required.
• Keep Grand Traverse Band Tribal Council informed of progress of court projects as prescribed.
• Conduct research to analyze current and alternative personnel, facilities, and data management items and consults with judicial staff of court to evaluate findings and recommendations.
• Review and analyze existing operations and procedures, generate and submit for approval changes to eliminate, simply and/or improve efficiency in order to reduce costs.
• Assist Chief Judge and Tribal Manager in development of programs to meet the needs of the court and the community.
• Ensure implementation and use of current technology to automate data collections; master court calendar, case flow systems; budget development, management and control; and legal research capability.
• Responsible for the preparation and finalizing the tribal court budget.
• Resolve questions and complaints raised by court personnel, attorneys and members of the Grand Traverse Band and other organizations in consultation with Chief Judge and Tribal Manager.
• Must have strong affiliation with the Grand Traverse Band, in addition to Native American governance issues.
• May be required to work some evenings and weekends as dictated by court docket.
• Have the ability to assume duties of court staff members for out-of-office situations including but not limited to vacation, medical leave and GTP usage.
• Complete Friend of the Court recommendations.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; performance appraisals; disciplinary action, addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Must adhere to the confidentiality provisions of the GTB.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must have outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Good time management and organizational skills are critical.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated patience, tact, and respect.
• Ability to read, analyzes, and interprets general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and general public.
• Must have knowledge of:
• Laws, regulations, legislation, operations, rules, policies and procedures of the Tribal Court.
• Legal terminology, procedures and documents used in court cases.
• Preparation and maintenance of Court calendars.
• Establishment and maintenance of filing and information retrieval systems.
• Computers and software applications related to Court support duties.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree from a four-year college or university or high school diploma with three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent knowledge of tribal and state court operations and ability to incorporate tribal, state and federal court rules, statues, codes into decision-making functions.
• Must have strong computer, work processing, data collections, writing and speaking skills.
• Court clerking assistance to court staff and the judiciary is required.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a valid unrestricted driver license and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervision of Court Clerk, Bailiff and Probation Officer, and Data Entry Clerk.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organization policies and applicable laws.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

General office equipment such as, calculators, computers, modem, copiers, fax, phone systems, etc.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work requires sitting, lifting, reaching, walking, and lifting heavy objects, such as a case of paper or several books at once. Also requires manual dexterity to operate office equipment, keyboarding, copiers, etc.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS

The employee uses judgement in identifying and selecting the most appropriate procedures to use, or in determining which of several established alternatives to use. Some deadlines are involved, so there is time pressure on occasion.

WORKING CONDITIONS

A good deal of work is performed in an office environment, but it is important to realize that some of the work is on the floor and in the offices of the various properties and that you are expected to go on-site regular basis.

COMMENTS

Native American preference will apply. Must be willing and able to pass a background investigation and a drug and alcohol urinalysis as a condition of employment. Adherence to strict company policy in regard to confidentiality is a must.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the right to add or to change the duties of the position at any time. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Director of Human Resources

Current Openings for Court Administrator/Program Director Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians