Court Administrator
A Court Administrator, also known as a court executive or court coordinator, plays a crucial role in the efficient functioning of local, state, and federal courts. They ensure that courts adhere to official procedures and manage a variety of administrative tasks such as jury and trial management, budget oversight, docket scheduling, and public relations. This position requires a solid understanding of legal processes, exceptional organizational and leadership skills, and a commitment to customer service. Court administrators typically work in courtrooms and administrative offices, often reporting to a supervising judge, and their work hours can vary, especially during peak periods.
To become a court administrator, individuals generally need a bachelor's degree and may benefit from related experience or internships within the legal system. This profession appeals to detail-oriented individuals who enjoy problem-solving and public administration. Court administrators also focus on enhancing the overall court experience for judges, litigants, and the public by developing strategies for improved efficiency and communication. The role requires interaction with a diverse range of individuals, including legal professionals and the public, and involves the use of various technologies for effective management of court operations.
Court Administrator
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Government & Public Administration
Interests: Public administration, legal system, working with details, solving problems
Earnings (Yearly Median): $104,900 per year $50.44 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 5% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience Less than five years
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Court administrators, also called court executives or court coordinators, are responsible for ensuring that courts follow official procedures, and they oversee all the general operations of local, state, and federal courts. Their tasks include jury and trial management, fiscal, budget, and resource allocation, docket management and scheduling, records and reports, education, public relations, and customer service, professional development, facilities and operations, general clerical and administrative work, and personnel, staff, and human resources. Court administrators are chosen based on their understanding of legal proceedings, court services, and customer service and for their organizational and leadership abilities.
Work Environment. Court administrators spend their workdays within local, state, and federal court systems, municipalities, and governmental licensing agencies. Court administrators work in administrative offices and courtrooms. Although most court administrators work forty-hour weeks, many others work overtime hours during busy periods. Court administrators report to a supervising or presiding judge and may direct court clerks.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the court administrator profession tend to be highly intelligent and detail-oriented people. Those who are most successful as court administrators display tact, leadership, organizational skills, resourcefulness, problem-solving, and effective time management. Court administrators should enjoy public administration and working within the legal system.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The daily occupational duties and responsibilities of court administrators vary by court environment. For instance, local, state, and federal courts each handle different kinds of court cases and follow different operating, safety, and record-keeping procedures. A court administrator’s daily duties and responsibilities may include tasks related to personnel, budget, calendar management, jury management, trial management, facilities, records, or customer service.
A court administrator assists the judge with all administrative duties and personnel management issues. They manage jury summonses and the jury selection process, keep records of all jury selections, and maintain the master schedule (commonly called the docket) for all upcoming court trials and proceedings. The court administrator also coordinates participants and oversees the court clerk’s contact with witnesses, litigants, and lawyers who need to be notified about scheduled dates for court appearances. The court administrator may also plan the court’s operating budget, including costs such as payroll, supplies, equipment, maintenance, and repairs.
In addition, all court administrators are responsible for increasing the overall effectiveness of court procedures and improving the court experience for judges, litigants, staff, and the public. A court administrator may solicit post-trial feedback from jurors using questionnaires and surveys, develop new strategies to improve the efficiency of court scheduling and notification procedures and ensure accurate record-keeping of court-related events.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The immediate physical environment of court administrators includes the courtrooms and administrative offices of municipalities, governmental licensing agencies, and local, state, and federal court systems.
Human Environment. Court administrators work with a wide variety of people. They should be comfortable interacting with the public, the media, school groups, court reporters, court clerks, police and public safety personnel, litigants, incarcerated people, lawyers, judges, witnesses, and juries.
Technological Environment. Court administrators use a wide variety of technology to perform their jobs, including computers, budgeting software, automated scheduling software, Internet communication technology, photocopiers, and printers.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as a court administrator should prepare themselves by developing good study habits. High school courses in typing, bookkeeping, foreign languages, political science, and public safety will provide a strong foundation for college-level work in the field. Due to the diversity of court administrator responsibilities, high school students interested in this career path may benefit from seeking internships or part-time work opportunities that expose the students to the legal system.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming court administrators should obtain an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in general business, information management, or a related field. Coursework in bookkeeping, pre-law, business, criminology, and foreign languages may also prove useful in their future work. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in their future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment within the legal system.
Related Occupations
− Administrative Support Supervisor
− Human Resources Specialist/Manager
Bibliography
“Administrative Services Managers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
"Court Administrator: Salary and Career Facts." Learn.org, 2024, learn.org/articles/Court‗Administrator‗Frequently‗Asked‗Career‗and‗Salary‗Questions.html. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, 43-4031 Court, Municipal, and License Clerks." Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434031.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.