Chief of Court Operations (Court Promotional Only)

Full Job Description

The Superior Court of California in San Mateo County is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Chief of Court Operations. This is a Court Promotional Only recruitment and is an outstanding advancement opportunity for members of the Court staff.

Under general direction and coordination with the Executive Team, the Chief of Court Operations will manage the work of the Court Services Managers by responding to the priorities set by the Executive Office.

In addition, the Chief of Court Operations will monitor and direct the development and implementation of program goals, policies and priorities, will manage cross-divisional projects and will provide performance development and review of subordinate managers.

This position will receive general direction from the Court Executive Officer and/or designee and exercise direct and indirect supervision over lower level managerial, supervisory, professional, technical and clerical employees.

Requirements

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, establish, direct, monitor, and evaluate court projects, policies, and procedures for assigned divisions to advance court strategic goals and objectives.
• Conduct regular review and evaluation of data to identify and analyze trends in business processes and to make recommendations for creating efficiencies.
• Direct, supervise, and guide Court managers by establishing goals, policies, and performance standards, conducting periodic evaluations of the managers’ performance, and counseling managers regarding their performance and career development consistent with direction from and standards set by the executive office.
• Direct and counsel Court managers in planning, resource allocation, personnel actions, budgeting, and record systems needed to meet their division's responsibilities.
• Assist the Court Executive Officer and work collaboratively with the Executive Team to develop and accomplish the court’s goals and objectives and to resolve complex problems as they relate to assigned areas.
• Consult with and advise justice partners and the public regarding policy issues and participate in the development of standards and programs relating to these policies.
• Direct, coordinate, and participate in the development and implementation of program goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities.
• Monitor and analyze current, proposed, and/or new federal, state, and local legislation to assess its impact on Court systems and processes.
• Assist in developing the Court's legislative response either in support of or opposition to such legislation.
• Consult and cooperate with justice partners and other affected parties on relevant aspects of court operations, discuss problems and develop alternative strategies for dealing with those problems, and assist in implementation of solutions, as necessary.
• Serve as court liaison to external stakeholders, including other trial courts, government agencies, and justice and community partners.
• Direct and counsel assigned staff in the planning, budgeting, and record systems needed to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of assigned program responsibilities.
• Assist subordinate managers in the preparation and administration of their respective budgets.
• Perform a variety of special assignments and prepare complex analytical and statistical reports in any of several areas, as assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Court Promotional Only:

Only current Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Trial Court Administration, Public Administration, Administration of Justice, or a similar field is preferred; however, additional qualifying experience as described below and relevant coursework outside of degree programs may substitute for the required education on a year-to-year basis.
• Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible experience in a management position overseeing operational areas of a California trial court or other Justice agency.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations applicable to the assigned areas of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of organizational analysis and human resource planning.
• Principles and practices of court operations and management.
• Principles of financial administration, including court budgeting and financial analysis.
• Effective project management.
• Computer systems and applications as used within the Court.
• Effective managerial and supervision principles and methods.

Skill/Ability to:

• Manage program activities and projects across divisional and agency boundaries.
• Direct and participate in the analysis of a wide variety of complex administrative/operational problems and make effective operational and/or procedural recommendations.
• Recommend policies, guidelines, and procedures that advance the court’s mission and goals.
• Utilize appropriate interpersonal style and methods of communication to gain acceptance, cooperation, or agreement of a plan, activity, and/or program idea.
• Establish and maintain positive, effective work relationships with managers, supervisors, staff, justice partners, other agencies, community organizations, and the public.
• Respond constructively to conflict.
• Inspire trust, respect, and confidence from others.
• Monitor current and proposed federal, state, and local legislation which impact on assigned areas of responsibility.
• Select, supervise, evaluate, and train assigned staff.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Prioritize personal workload and that of subordinate managers.
• Exhibit strong initiative, integrity, sound judgment, and a high degree of maturity.

Additional Information

Court Promotional Only. Only current Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%).

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply.

Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form.

A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

Recruitment Schedule

Final Filing Date: April 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM

Application Screening: April 7 – 9, 2026

Combined Civil Service and Departmental Panel Interviews (tentative): April 20 – 21, 2026

The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment.

The Court seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Chet Overstreet (03242026) (Chief of Court Operations – X236)