Director of Court Services

Salary: $128,420.00 - $160,521.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 174139
Agency: Judicial Branch
Division: Court Services
Opening Date: 02/28/2025
Closing Date: 3/5/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: AH1015
Position Number:: 60003681
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Band: Unclassified
Opening Date: 02/28/2025
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Interested persons meeting the required qualifications may submit an application at www.careers.sc.gov. All questions on the application must be completed and should include all work history and education. A resume may be included but will not be accepted or reviewed in lieu of an incomplete application. Supplemental questions are considered a part of your application and must be completed.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
In alignment with the vision, strategic direction, mission, and values of the South Carolina Judicial Branch (SCJB), the Director is responsible for the delivery of administrative court services to the South Carolina trial courts. The Director of Court Services reports directly to the State Court Administrator.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

This job bulletin represents general duties for this position and is not intended to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the SCJB's administrative services to trial courts, by overseeing Court Services' daily operations, long-range planning, and special projects; actively participating with the SCJB's advisory committees and external commissions; and interacting with trial court judges, court officials, and staff. Manages the Division of Court Administration in the absence of the State Court Administrator.
• Serve as a point of contact for the Legislative Branch in order to keep the Judicial Branch advised of legislation relating to the state court system. Serve as a point of contact for the Executive Branch and public and private groups having an interest in the administration of the courts. Represent the court in non-judicial matters with others such as law enforcement, news media, committees, commissions, planning groups, and the general public. Directly and indirectly respond to legislative, governmental, and citizen inquiries.
• Directly supervise the Deputy Director of Trial Courts and Deputy Director of Court Reporting and Scheduling to ensure strategic program direction and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Assist Judges' Scheduling as needed to develop the recommendations made to the Chief Justice regarding the scheduling of terms of circuit and family court and assignment of judges to special terms of court. Monitor the supervision of SCCA's court reporting and court interpreting section, and the implementation of the digital court reporting project. Oversee collection, analyzation and dissemination of caseload data from state courts; and monitor judicial and court services workloads.
• Oversee the development and implementation of technology-related court projects, and accompanying policies and procedures. Works closely with the SCJB's Information Technology Department, including leading and serving on interdisciplinary teams.
• Assist Trial Court Services to coordinate state judicial and court functions with county court and municipal court officials for efficient operations of the Unified Judicial System, and serve as a conduit to those officials for information, planning and implementation of Supreme Court rules and policies, and state and federal statutes.
• Oversee orientation schools for judges, clerks of courts, and registers of deeds. Collaborate with the Public Information Director to develop content related to Court Services activities and disseminate important communications to internal and external stakeholders. Collaborate with the Court Education Director to establish court services training agenda and identify presenters.
• Provide the State Court Administrator with current information on trial court administrative issues and operations, as requested, and by submitting to the State Court Administrator reports of certain Court Services operations. Provide direction and recommendations to the State Court Administrator, Chief Justice, and Supreme Court concerning the development of plans, policies, guidelines and procedures for efficient and effective trial court services. Responsible for ensuring Court Services' programs, plans, and tactics align with the SCJB's strategic objectives. Work with the SCJB's General Counsel on litigation and any legal matters related to Court Services.
• Develop and implement a succession plan for Court Services leadership. Coach, mentor, and develop staff with the potential to fill leadership roles within the Judicial Branch.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• A Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law, admission to practice law in the State of South Carolina, and a member of the South Carolina Bar in good standing.
  
• Minimum of five (5) years experience as an attorney.
  
• Significant administrative or management experience.
  
• Thorough knowledge of the South Carolina Judicial System.
  
• Practical court experience.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Skilled in:

• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing

Knowledge of:

• Strong knowledge of computer technology and programs
  
• Familiarity with all South Carolina Rules of Courts and the responsibilities of the various offices of the Judicial Branch and the entities with which these offices work

Ability to:

• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and organizations; high level of personal initiative and discretion
  
• Ability to work closely with the State Court Administrator and the heads of the Judicial Branch's offices
  
• Flexible working hours and travel within and without the state
  
• Ability to prepare memoranda, orders, and other written documents which are concise, well-reasoned and accurate
  
• Ability to assign, supervise and motivate employees.

Preferred Qualifications
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• Experience working with the media, the public, the Legislature, and state agencies or entities.

Additional Comments
The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children;
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs (Temporary positions have option to enroll);
• 15 days paid annual (vacation) leave per year;
• 15 days paid sick leave per year;
• Option to designate 10 days of earned paid sick leave per year as family sick leave;
• 13 paid state holidays;
• Six weeks or two weeks of Paid Parental Leave;
• Workers' Compensation Benefits.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The South Carolina Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, age, or disability.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

How did you learn about this position?

• NEOGOV
• LINKEDIN
• FACEBOOK
• TWITTER
• INDEED
• INTERNAL JOB POSTING
• SCJB EMPLOYEE
• COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
• DICE
• OTHER

Required Question