MUNICIPAL COURT DIRECTOR

Code: 07786 Local Unclassified

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of the Municipal Court Judge, plans, organizes, and directs all phases of the operation of a large municipal court; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Plans and directs the development and implementation of management objectives and goals, establishes program evaluation criteria, establishes office procedures and policies, and develops appropriate staffing patterns to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the court.
• As directed, may represent to Municipal Court Judge at meetings, conferences, or work sessions with the governing body, professional groups, or the general public.
• Is responsible for coordinating budget development and administration including appropriation of funds, budget hearing testimony, overseeing the preparation of the annual budget, and financial discrepancy resolution.
• Evaluates the effects of regulatory changes on budgetary needs, and ensures that these factors are taken into consideration in the preparation of the budget.
• Ensures that court operations fully comport with the Rules of the Court as well as the administrative directives and policies of the Administrative Office of the Courts, vicinage Assignment Judge, and the Municipal Court Judge.
• Coordinates the activities of the court with those of the police department, other law enforcement agencies, and the Administrative Office of the Courts.
• Acts as the court's liaison to and has extensive contact with executive branch officials on court related administrative matters, including purchasing, facilities management, and personnel administration.
• Ensures that established accounting and auditing procedures are followed in collecting, recording, and disbursing fines and other court revenues.
• Develops, implements work plans, priorities, and schedules; establishes office procedures and policies in support of program objectives, and ensures that staff and resources are effectively allocated among the various court activities in order to meet desired work objectives.
• Manages subordinate supervisory employees by providing required direction, advice and training; evaluates their work performance and takes remedial action when necessary; may approve or disapprove employee request for changes in work schedules, sick, and vacation leave, change in work assignments, and so forth.
• Researches, evaluates, and make recommendations regarding the purchase of equipment, supplies, and work support systems.
• Directs and participates in studies designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of current operations such as the automation of manual procedures.
• Prepares or directs the preparation of summary, statistical, and other reports.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.

Experience

Three (3) years of management experience which shall have included the organization, direction, planning, coordination, or control of significant operating programs.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform in essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective management.
• Knowledge of the methods of assessing staff development needs and evaluating staff development programs.
• Knowledge of the principles of budget development and fiscal management.
• Knowledge of the concepts and techniques of program analyses evaluation and management.
• Knowledge of program design and implementation procedures.
• Knowledge of the methods used in providing the coordination needed to ensure the effective functioning of a large scale organization.
• Knowledge of the techniques involved in the establishment and maintenance of personnel, financial, equipment, and other records.
• Ability to plan, organize, control, and effectively manage work programs.
• Ability to motivate, supervise, and direct the work of others.
• Ability to prioritize needs and reallocate resources in response to changing situations.
• Ability to evaluate established procedures and regulations for applicability, efficiency, and to plan to implement orderly change.
• Ability to effectively implement major program and organizational changes.
• Ability to evaluate program operations and oversee the development of corrective action plans.
• Ability to monitor program operations.
• Ability to resolve sensitive and complex personnel, fiscal, and program problems.
• Ability to develop and manage an operating budget.
• Ability to analyze statistical and narrative reports in order to assess program effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with officials or agencies.
• Ability to take and maintain a firm and correct stand when controversial matters are considered.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Director is the highest managerial position within a municipal court directly responsible to the Municipal Court Judge for the administration of all activities of the court.

Positions in this class have managerial responsibility for developing goals and objectives, the setting of internal operating procedures, and integrating and directing court programs.

The Director has operational and programmatic responsibilities for the work performed by all employees. In this regard, the Director oversees the evaluation of work performance and provides training necessary to carry out the objectives of the programs efficiently and effectively.

Accordingly, the Director:

* Determines goals, objectives, and standards needed to attain desired program results.

* Identifies the operational needs of the court, develops and implements plans for organizational changes, and allocates resources accordingly.

* Sets internal policy in such areas as program emphasis, operating guidelines, and work priorities.

* Sets general personnel management policy affecting court employees.

* Delegates authority to subordinate supervisors and holds them accountable for the performance of their organizational units.

* Evaluates work outputs and makes adjustments in staffing and resources required to achieve desired objectives.

The duties of Municipal Court Director differ from those of a Municipal Court Administrator in that:

* The position of Municipal Court Director has been established in recognition of the fact that the size and complexity of a municipal court is a significant factor in determining the level of managerial oversight required for its effective operation. Consequently, use of the Municipal Court Director position should be limited to large courts that meet at least two of the following criteria:

- Annual total caseload of 30,000 or more.

- Average monthly court staff of at least 15 employees.

- Annual budget (operating expenses and salaries) of $300,000 or more.

- Four (4) or more court sessions per week.

Should that condition be met, the decision to appoint a Municipal Court Director rests with the appointing authority of the municipal court or vicinage Assignment Judge, based on a determination that the circumstances of the court warrant the managerial services of a Director.

* Appointment to the position of Municipal Court Director will only be approved in a municipal court requiring such services in addition to those of a Municipal Court Administrator. An appointment of a Municipal Court Director is not a substitute or replacement for a Municipal Court Administrator.

* The primary function of a Municipal Court Director is the overall management of the court's operations. As such, the Municipal Court Director does not serve as a first line supervisor of court employees engaged in the performance of quasi- judicial functions. Rather, the Municipal Court Administrators, including the issuance of warrants, acceptance of complaints, bail determinations, and swearing in of witnesses at trail.

* A further distinction between the Municipal Court Director and that of the Municipal Court Administrator is in the overall scope of administrative responsibility, authority, and accountability for court programs and activities. The Municipal Court Director having substantially greater scope of authority, responsibility, and freedom to act with respect to those areas of management.

Applicants who do not meet the above educational requirement may substitute additional work experience as described on a year-for-year basis.

<b>SPECIAL NOTE:</b> Effective September 13, 2011, all newly appointed municipal court directors, who are not certified municipal court administrators pursuant to N.J.S.A.2B:12-11, must obtain conditional accreditation within six months of the date of appointment. All newly appointed non-certified municipal court directors must obtain full accreditation within three years of the date of appointment. A non-certified municipal court director who fails to obtain conditional accreditation within the time frames provided above will be ineligible to remain in that title. The Municipal Court Administrator Certification Board may grant an extension of time upon a showing of good cause.