District Court Administrator

Job Summary

The Clark County District Court invites applications from accomplished judicial and public-sector leaders nationwide for the position of District Court Administrator. This is a rare opportunity to serve as the chief executive officer of a dynamic trial court and to play a central role in shaping the future of justice delivery for a growing and diverse community.

The District Court Administrator provides strategic, operational, fiscal, and policy leadership for the Court and serves as a trusted partner to the Presiding Judge and judicial officers. This role is ideally suited for a proven executive with deep court or justice-system experience who thrives in complex environments and is motivated by public service, institutional excellence, and access to justice.

About Clark County District Court
Clark County District Court is one of the region’s busiest limited-jurisdiction courts, overseeing gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil, small claims, and protection order matters, Traffic and non-traffic infractions
The Court operates as an independent branch of government while collaborating closely with county, municipal, and state partners. The Administrator leads approximately 114 professional staff across Court Services and Probation Services and works directly with eight District Court Judicial Officers to ensure effective, efficient, and equitable court operations.

Mission
The mission of Clark County District Court is to serve people by delivering exceptional justice services; providing equitable access to the court and its programs; treating everyone with fairness and respect; and promoting diversity in our community and operations.

In service of our mission, we commit to:
• Having a service-oriented approach that meets or exceeds the public’s expectations
• Being sensitive and responsive to the needs of our diverse community
• Improving access to justice by advancing the use of technology and removing systemic barriers
• Ensuring equitable application of the judicial process in every case
• Addressing systemic racism in the justice system
• Valuing our employees and court participants for their differences
• Empowering every person in our organization to take an active role in the effective administration of justice through participation and training
• Enhancing public trust and confidence in the judicial system

Why Clark County, Washington
Clark County offers a unique opportunity to live and work in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most desirable and dynamic regions. Located just north of Portland, Oregon, Clark County combines the professional challenge of a growing jurisdiction with an exceptional quality of life.

Residents enjoy: Access to the economic, cultural, and transportation advantages of the greater Portland metropolitan area; No state income tax in Washington; A strong regional economy with continued population and business growth; Proximity to the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, the Pacific Coast, and world class outdoor recreation; Excellent schools, vibrant neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community.

For executive leaders, Clark County offers the rare balance of meaningful public service, professional influence, and personal livability. The District Court Administrator plays a pivotal role in shaping justice services for a rapidly evolving county while enjoying the lifestyle advantages that make the Pacific Northwest a premier place to live.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Clark County District Court is firmly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential to public trust and institutional excellence. We: Value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences; Actively advance equity in court services and workplace practices; Foster an inclusive environment where employees and community members feel respected and supported.

Applications will be accepted until an adequate number of applications are received or the position is filled. This recruitment may be closed at any time after the first review date of February 12th.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will bring: Senior-level leadership experience in court administration, justice systems, or complex public-sector organizations; Demonstrated success leading large teams and managing multi-million-dollar budgets; A proven record of organizational change, modernization, and performance improvement; Political acumen and the ability to work effectively across branches of government; Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills; Experience with court technology systems, data analytics, and performance measurement; A demonstrated commitment to ethical leadership, equity, transparency, and public accountability.

Minimum Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field; and

·         Four (4) or more years of progressively responsible experience as a criminal justice manager or administrator.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge of: Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a district court program; organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs; modern and complex principles of program development and administration; basic principles and practices of civil law; techniques and systems of court functions including jury and case management, calendaring and provision of indigent defense; principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations; and so forth.

Ability to: Manage, direct, and coordinate the work of technical and clerical personnel; provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the District Court; recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient District Court services; analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals; prepare and administer large and complex budgets; prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports; interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including County and other government officials, community groups, and the general public; and so forth.

Selection Process
 

Application Review – Incomplete applications will not pass the review; attaching a resume or referring to a resume does not substitute for a completed application. Candidates will be evaluated based on the content of their applications and those deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Cover Letter (Pass/Fail) – In addition to the Clark County application, applicants must submit a cover letter detailing their experience in court management. Document must be added to the Documents section of My Application. Please address the letter to District Court Administrator Bryan Farrell and include the Recruitment Number in the file name (i.e., Cover LetterXXXXXX.doc). Applications that do not include a Cover Letter will not be considered.

Oral Interview – The interview will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Employment References may be conducted for the final candidates, including verification of education.

Examples of Duties

Executive & Strategic Leadership

·         Serve as the Court’s chief executive officer, providing leadership, vision, and strategic direction.

·         Partner with the Presiding Judge and judiciary to develop and implement long-range strategic and operational plans.

·         Align staffing, resources, and initiatives with judicial priorities, statutory mandates, and constitutional obligations.

Financial Stewardship & Administration

·         Direct the preparation and administration of the Court’s annual operating budget.

·         Ensure strong fiscal stewardship, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws and policies.

·         Lead the pursuit and management of grants and external funding to support innovation and modernization.

Judicial Operations & Modernization

·         Advise the judiciary on court administration, including case flow management, technology, personnel services, interpreter services, and evidence-based practices.

·         Monitor performance metrics and operational capacity using data-informed approaches.

·         Lead continuous improvement, process reform, and modernization initiatives.

Access to Justice & Compliance

·         Ensure system-wide compliance with ADA, Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and other access-to-justice requirements.

·         Champion fairness, equity, and accessibility throughout court operations.

Continuity of Operations

·         Lead emergency preparedness, disaster response, and business continuity planning.

·         Coordinate with county and state partners during weather events, public health emergencies, and other disruptions.

External Relations & Public Representation

·         Represent District Court as an independent judicial branch.

·         Build and maintain strong relationships with law enforcement, the local bar, prosecutors, indigent defense, justice partners, elected officials, and the public.

Salary Grade

M1.207

Salary Range

$10,482.00 - $15,200.00- per month

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Recruiter

Leslie Harrington Smith

Email:

Leslie.HarringtonSmith@clark.wa.gov

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Employee Benefits and additional compensation

Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation.  Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation.  More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Retirement Information

All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice. 
 

For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/

If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.