ASSISTANT CHIEF MUNICIPAL COURT ADMINISTRATOR

Code: 07793 Local Competitive

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 Chief Municipal Court Administrator, in a municipal court system consisting of multiple courts within a single municipality, assists in the supervision of a large staff performing quasi-judicial and administrative functions related to the operation of a municipal court; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

An Assistant Chief Municipal Court Administrator can only serve in a municipal court system consisting of multiple courts within a single municipality. Positions in this class assist in coordinating work operations among subordinate units and with other organizations on matters affecting the operations and programs of the court.

Positions in this class also assist in supervising all of the quasi-judicial activities in the court system related to the legal proceedings that occur in the various municipal courtrooms.

Examples of work

• Assists in planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing procedures for the efficient and effective operation of a municipal court system consisting of multiple courts.
• Assigns duties to court personnel and supervises and evaluates their performance.
• Provides instructions to office staff on activities related to the implementation of court rules, state statutes, local ordinances, and local court policies. Provides and/or arranges for training for all office staff in their respective functions.
• Assists in the development of administrative programs designed to achieve the objectives of the municipal courts.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and modifies office procedures, as required.
• Assists in the supervision of staff who participate in case processing, which may include determining whether a summons or warrant should be issued, interacting with defendants, witnesses and attorneys; docketing; recording payments and fines; scheduling trial calendars; operating recording machine during court proceeding, and so forth.
• May determine whether alleged facts justify the issuance of either a summons or warrant for the arrest of the defendant. If a warrant for arrest is issued, may determine bail amount consistent with parameters established by Statutes and Rules of the Court.
• May accept complaints and take oaths.
• Supervises the preparation of calendars for the courts.
• Supervises the arranging of court sessions, assuring court room facilities are available and maintained and that appropriate staff has been assigned.
• Where authorized, sets conditions of pre-trial release in accordance with bail schedules promulgated by the Administrative Office of the Courts or by the Municipal Court Judge.
• Assists in overseeing court accounting, auditing, and the maintenance of property controls and inventories.
• Prepares, supervises, and directs the disposition of correspondence.
• Maintains liaison with the Municipal Court Judge, the governing body, police department, law enforcement, and other municipal officials regarding court activities; provides requested information and responds to issues or complaints involving court operations.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual budget; may prepare necessary justification based on past performance and projected needs; may evaluate available equipment and supplies, and makes specific recommendations regarding their acquisition.
• Oversees the establishment and maintenance of required records and files.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of summary and statistical reports as required by the municipality, vicinage level judicial managers, and/or the Administrative Office of the Courts.
• When required, initiates and conducts special research and analytical projects, compiles and analyzes data, and makes recommendations regarding court business and improvement based on these studies.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from high school or possession of an approved High School equivalency certificate.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience in work related to the administrative operation of a court, law enforcement agency, law office, or government agency, including the preparation and/or processing of legal documents, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

License

Appointees 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 the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures used in planning and implementing work activities.
• Knowledge of the problems involved in the formulation of effective policies and procedures for the office and other clerical and related operations.
• Knowledge of preparing and supervising the preparation of statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Knowledge of supervising the establishment and maintenance of records and files.
• Knowledge of the techniques used in budget preparation.
• Knowledge of the rules, regulations, standards, and procedures relating to court work and of their application to specific cases.
• Knowledge of effective supervisory techniques.
• Knowledge of general accounting and statistical record keeping methods.
• Knowledge of the methods used to establish and maintain required records and files.
• Ability to establish, implement, and monitor work goals and objectives.
• Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to give suitable assignments and instructions to individuals and groups and to evaluate their performance.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently coordinate the administrative functions, staff, and facilities of an organization.
• Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of legal papers used in court proceedings.
• Ability to interpret applicable laws. ordinances, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, accurate reports, including those of a statistical nature.
• Ability to take and maintain a firm and correct stand when controversial matters are considered.
• Ability to learn 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, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this 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 essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible

Note

Thirty (30) college semester hour credits may be substituted for one (1) year of nonsupervisory experience.

<b>SPECIAL NOTE</b>: "Effective May 25, 2011, appointees must possess a Municipal Court Administrator certificate issued by the New Jersey Supreme Court, subject to the following exceptions: 1) A person appointed provisionally prior to May 25, 2011 but after May 25, 2006 will still have five years from the date of the provisional appointment to obtain the certificate, even if the provisional subsequently receives a regular appointment from an eligible list for the title but does not yet possess the certificate at the time of regular appointment. 2. Interim appointments of persons who do not possess a Municipal Court Administrator certificate may be made pursuant to the provision for L.2006,c.20."