Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Overview

King County Superior Court (KCSC) is one of the nation’s largest trial courts, serving the country’s 12th most populated county. With a staff of approximately 400 employees, KCSC is nationally recognized for innovation and is committed to providing justice for all.

• Oversee the operations of the Superior Court to ensure effective and efficient achievement of the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Coordinate with the Executive Branch of King County regarding infrastructural technology support for the court; develop, prioritize, and advocate related capital improvement projects on behalf of the court.
• Supervise assigned court department directors in administrative activities; establish and maintain ongoing communication and status updates with directors and supervise the DEI and training manager.
• Ensure collaboration and alignment between the court’s operations and the Department of Judicial Administration (Clerk’s Office).
• With department directors, lead negotiations with collective bargaining units; maintain clear communications and relationships with union representatives, the King County Office of Labor Relations, and represented staff; represent organizational and management interests in labor negotiations.
• Represent administration and operational interests in court committees; identify issues and recommend solutions to conflicts among internal court departments and/or competing projects; determine project deliverables.
• Assist the CAO in the preparation of the court’s annual budget; oversee and monitor departmental budgets and expenditures; analyze annual departmental needs and make budget recommendations.
• Provide direction and input in determining job responsibilities, methods, and performance standards for the court’s senior management team; establish work objectives and recommendations for departmental changes.
• Serve as Acting CAO in the CAO’s absence; make decisions and provide overall direction and guidance for all court employees, managers, and directors.

Bachelor’s degree or higher in public administration or a related field. A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory and management experience, preferably in a large, complex urban court system or public service environment.

• Knowledge of and experience executing management theories and practices, judicial trends, and best practices.
• Deep understanding of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to court operations.
• Experience in organizational planning and management.
• Human resource management, labor law, and contract negotiations.
• Team building and organizational goal setting.
• Policy development.
• Budgeting and strategic planning techniques and principles.
• Managing a diverse workforce.

• Demonstrated experience simultaneously managing multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in managing diverse teams, including motivating, developing employees, supporting professional development, coaching, mentoring, setting clear expectations, and providing constructive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to lead development of and buy‑in for a vision.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in building trusted partnerships with internal and external customers through a record of transparency, follow‑through, and respectful resolution of differences.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice and pursuing changes to policies and practices that address systemic racism and inequities.
• Ability to persevere and adapt as required, while working in a multifaceted and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Experience in reporting to and interacting directly with elected officials and experience in a customer‑services‑based organization.
• Experience with collective bargaining and labor agreements.

Who may apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants.

Work location: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. The incumbent may be required to work at other court facilities.

Work schedule: Full‑time. Core business hours are Monday through Friday,…