CHIEF COURT ADMINISTRATOR

This position is exempt from Civil Service and serves at the pleasure of the chair of the judges of the municipal court.

 City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Chief Court Administrator manages the Municipal Court operations, staff, and resources in a way that allows the court to effectively and efficiently achieve its mission.

Court Administration

• Secure resources needed to achieve the court’s mission and objectives.
• Oversee scheduling of cases and balancing of workload for three full-time judges.
• Monitor data trends and other developments that affect court operations.
• Alert judges to necessary policy or procedural changes.
• Assist judges in developing policies when needed and oversees implementation and evaluation of new or modified policies and procedures.
• Initiate and coordinate efforts to ensure enforcement of judicial orders.
• Oversee management of the court’s information systems; and, initiate, coordinate, implement, and evaluate the department's long-range technology plan.
• Coordinate legislative efforts of the court, in conjunction with the Common Council, the State Supreme Court, judicial organizations and the state legislature.
• Manage facilities planning, construction, and maintenance for all locations of the court.
• Represent the court on community, county and city committees.
• Serve as the Custodian of Records for the court.
• Develop and implement the department's annual budget of about $3.5 million; involves work with the Mayor, Common Council, and the City’s Budget Office.
• Oversee the collection, distribution, accounting, and reporting of about $10 million in annual revenue.

Leadership

• Oversee of all operations and authority for hiring, training, and discipline.
• Manage a staff of about 30 professional and clerical staff who provide case preparation, records management, accounting services, courtroom support, IT systems and administrative management.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

1. Bachelor’s degree in business, public, or judicial administration or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Five years of progressively responsible management experience performing duties related the essential functions listed above.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

Technical 

• Demonstrated knowledge of trends and best practices in judicial administration.
• Knowledge of judicial and legislative processes.
• Ability to read and understand documents such as laws, policies and technical publications.
• Ability to make decisions and recommendations to further the efficiency and effectiveness of court- based services, based upon research and known strategies.
• The ability to analyze complex situations, formulate recommendations and present them clearly and convincingly.
• Familiarity with complex information systems.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office to create documents, develop spreadsheets, and craft presentations.

Leadership

• Ability to articulate and promote a vision for the municipal court system.
• Ability to create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling professional values and ethics via an equity perspective.
• Ability to develop policies and processes that translate the mission and vision into action.
• Ability to facilitate and encourage the application of systems thinking.
• Ability to develop and implement performance management strategies and measures and to facilitate assessment and planning.
• Ability to facilitate and promote individual staff accomplishments toward organizational objectives, including shared responsibility, teamwork and acceptance of change.
• Ability to translate policy decisions into organizational and community programs and services.
• Ability to guide and mediate the investigation and resolution of conflict within the organization and with other governmental agencies and community stakeholders.
• Honesty, integrity, the ability to maintain confidentiality and responsible stewardship of City resources.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

Organization/Strategic Management

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure.
• Skill in short and long-term strategic planning.
• Strong fiscal management and organizational skills.
• Ability to evaluate assets, resources and opportunities and to develop new organizational structures, systems and metrics that support accountability and efficiency in the delivery of court services.

Communication

• Very strong verbal communication including public speaking and presentation skills.
• Written communications skills to craft policies and procedures, reports, and correspondence.
• Ability to employ professional discretion in messaging to staff, the community, and politicians at all levels.

Relationship Building

• Ability to engage in collaborative ventures, to develop partnering strategies and to develop strategic plans that involve the input and engagement of stakeholders.
• Ability to ensure mechanisms for obtaining feedback and input from persons with diverse backgrounds and to ensure the consideration of the role of cultural, social and behavioral factors and in the accessibility, availability, acceptability and delivery of services.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1KX) is $91,006 - $127,413 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $93,737-$131,235 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, professional accomplishments and a writing sample.

All interested parties must send a cover letter, resume and writing sample via email to Sheldyn.himle@milwaukee.gov for judicial consideration. The writing sample will be in response to the following:

Other than the COVID pandemic, what has been the most challenging situation you have faced as a leader and how did you work through it?

• Please submit resume, writing sample and cover letter via email before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2024 to Sheldyn.himle@milwaukee.gov  Please indicate “Chief Court Administrator” in the subject line.
• Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to Sheldyn Himle at Sheldyn.himle@milwaukee.gov

The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.

INITIAL FILING DATE: The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after March 14, 2024. Receipt of application materials will be discontinued at that time. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• Applications and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.