Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Full Job Description

King County Superior Court (KCSC) has an exciting executive leadership opportunity to support one of the nation's largest trial courts with a staff of approximately 400 employees.

Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, King County Superior Court is nationally recognized for innovation and serves the country's 12th most populous county.

The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for the leadership and oversight of daily operations of King County Superior Court, overseeing operational departments across the court and supervising directors and senior managers.

The incumbent provides support and consultation to the court's Chief Administrative Officer in interpreting and implementing the policies promulgated by the court's 56 elected judges.

We are seeking candidates with exceptional executive leadership, critical thinking, and analytical skills who exhibit political savvy and integrity.

This position is critical in supporting the needs of King County Superior Court with creativity, innovation, strong customer service, and a technology-forward focus.

The most competitive candidates place a high value on a diverse workforce, efficient and effective operating principles, and collaboration and team building.

It is the vision of KCSC to be open to all, trusted by all, and to provide justice for all.

To fulfill Superior Court's Mission, Values, and Vision, employees at all levels serve the complex needs of a diverse population of Court users.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation. At KCSC, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging.

Requirements

• Oversee the operations of Superior Court to ensure effective and efficient achievement of the organization's goals and objectives.

Coordinate with the Executive Branch of King County regarding infrastructural technology support for the court.

Develop, prioritize and advocate related capital improvement projects on behalf of the court. Represent the court and provide input and recommendations to countywide projects and initiatives.

• Supervise assigned Court department directors in court administrative activities. Establish and maintain ongoing communication and status updates with directors. Supervise the Court’s DEI and training manager.

• Ensure collaboration and alignment between the Court's operations and the Department of Judicial Administration (Clerk's Office).

• With department directors, lead negotiations with collective bargaining units. Maintain clear communications and relationships with union representatives, the King County Office of Labor Relations, and represented staff. Represent organizational and management interests in labor negotiations.

• Represent administration and operational interests in court committees. Identify issues and recommend solutions to conflicts among internal court departments and/or among competing projects. Determine project deliverables.

• Assist the CAO in the preparation of the Court’s annual budget. Oversee and monitor departmental budgets and expenditures. Analyze annual departmental needs and make budget recommendations.

• Provide direction and input in determining job responsibilities, methods, and performance standards for the Court's senior management team. Establish work objectives and recommendations for departmental changes.

• Serve as Acting CAO in the CAO's absence; make decisions and provide overall direction and guidance for all court employees, managers and directors.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher in public administration or related field. A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory and management experience, preferably in a large, complex urban court system or public service environment.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of and experience executing:

• Management theories and practices, Judicial trends, and best practices
• Applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to court operations
• Organizational planning and management
• Human resource management, labor law, and contract negotiations
• Team building and organizational goal setting
• Policy development
• Budgeting and strategic planning techniques and principles
• Managing a diverse workforce

The most competitive candidates will have:

• Demonstrated experience to simultaneously manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in managing diverse teams including motivating and developing employees, supporting professional development, coaching, and mentoring, setting clear expectations, and providing constructive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to lead development of and buy-in for a vision.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in building trusted partnerships with internal and external customers through establishing a track record of transparency, follow through, and resolving differences respectfully.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice and pursuing changes to policies and practices that address systemic racism and inequities.
• Able to persevere and adapt as required, while working in a multi-faceted and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Experience in reporting to and interacting directly with elected officials, and experience in a customer services-based organization.
• Experience with collective bargaining and labor agreements.

Additional Information

Who may apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants.Work location: This position is located in the King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle WA 98104.

The incumbent may be required to work at other court facilities.Work schedule: This is a full-time position. The court's core business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Work hours for this position may vary, including early mornings, evenings and weekends as needed.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is at-will, reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer.Additional materials required: Please include a resume and letter of interest describing how you meet or exceed the requirements for this position.

These materials are supplemental to your application. You must still completely fill out the on-line application with your relevant education and work experience.

Your application will be rejected as incomplete if you include relevant information only on the resume or cover letter.

Applications that state "see my resume" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.Please note that you can attach multiple documents to your application.

Your options are:1) Copy and paste one or more documents into the text resume section of the application.2) Attached multiple documents/files in the attachment section.Necessary special requirements: The ability to reliably travel throughout the county is required.

Finalists are subject to the Washington State Patrol criminal background check and a reference check.

Criminal background records are not automatically disqualifying.Selection process: Application materials will be screened for qualifications, and the most competitive candidates will be invited for interviews.Union membership: This position is not represented by a union.

King County Superior Court is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) EmployerNo person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.If you have questions regarding this position, please call King County Superior Court Human Resources at 206-477-3364.