District Courts Administrator

Overview

The District Courts Administrator serves as the chief executive officer for the District Courts’ administrative enterprise, providing strategic, operational, fiscal, and policy leadership for the largest and one of the most complex District Court systems in the State of Texas. The Administrative Office of the District Courts (DCA) provides centralized leadership, governance, and operational oversight for 67 elected State District Court Judges across Civil, Criminal, Family, and Juvenile Divisions, as well as 17 Associate Judges.

Collectively, the District Courts oversee a vast and diverse caseload with significant constitutional, fiscal, and public safety implications for millions of residents and function as a core component of the judicial branch of government.

In this role, the District Courts Administrator leads an organization comprising approximately 50 professional staff within the Administrative Office of the District Courts and more than 167 judicial support personnel countywide. Appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the District Judges pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 75.401, the Administrator works in close partnership with the Local Administrative Judge and the judiciary to ensure the effective, efficient, and equitable administration of justice.

The position requires sophisticated executive judgment, deep expertise in court governance, and the demonstrated ability to lead a large, high-profile public institution operating at the intersection of the judiciary, county government, state agencies, and the public.

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Administrative Office of the District Courts (DCA), serving as the chief administrative executive responsible for the governance, operations, and support functions of the District Courts.
• Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of strategic and operational plans for the District Courts, ensuring alignment with judicial priorities, statutory mandates, constitutional obligations, and long-term institutional objectives.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of DCA leadership and management staff, establishing clear expectations, accountability frameworks, and performance standards across all administrative functions supporting the District Courts.
• Serve as the principal administrative liaison between the Board of District Judges, the Local Administrative Judge, County Commissioners, and other internal and external stakeholders, promoting clear communication, transparency, accountability, and effective intergovernmental coordination.
• Direct the preparation, presentation, and administration of the District Courts’ annual operating budget, ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship, compliance with applicable laws and policies, and alignment with judicial priorities.
• Provide executive advisement and operational support to the judiciary on court administration matters, including caseflow management, calendar control, jury administration, indigent defense processes, personnel services, court technology, and related functions.
• Monitor and assess court performance, case flow, and operational capacity, and lead continuous improvement and modernization initiatives through data-informed decision making and administrative reform.
• Provide strategic oversight of information technology, data, and records systems supporting the District Courts, including long-range planning for case management systems, reporting capabilities, cybersecurity, public information requests, and technology modernization.
• Ensure continuity of judicial operations by leading emergency preparedness, disaster response, and business continuity planning in coordination with county and state partners during weather events, public health emergencies, or other disruptions.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, facilities management, and security partners to ensure the safety and security of judges, court personnel, jurors, litigants, and the public, including oversight of high-profile, high-risk, or sensitive court proceedings.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and constitutional requirements related to indigent defense, including appointment processes, compensation, claims review, and oversight of high-cost cases.
• Ensure systemwide compliance with accessibility and equity requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) standards, to promote fair and equitable access to justice.
• Direct the pursuit and administration of grants and external funding, including compliance with reporting requirements, to support innovation, modernization, and special initiatives.

• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of District Judges and/or the Local Administrative Judge, consistent with the effective administration of justice.
• This position may require work before, during, or after an emergency or disaster, at the direction of the Board of District Judges, to ensure continuity of court…