Job Specification
MUNICIPAL COURT ADMINISTRATOR
DEFINITION:
Under direction of the Municipal Court Judge or the Municipal
Court Director, has charge of and performs quasi-judicial and
administrative functions related to the operation of a municipal
court; does related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Typically, a Municipal Court Administrator has charge of all phases
of the quasi-judicial, administrative, and clerical operations of a
municipal court, except in those municipalities having multiple
courts, or where court operations are managed by a Municipal Court
Director. When serving in a court system headed by a Director, the
Administrator supervises and/or performs the quasi-judicial aspects
of the court's operations and assists in administrative activities, as
required.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Plans, develops, coordinates, and implements procedures for the
efficient and effective operation of the court.
Assigns duties to court personnel and supervises and evaluates
their performance.
Provides instructions to office staff on activities related to the
implementation of court rules, state statutes, local ordinances, and
local court policies. Provides and/or arranges for training for all
office staff in their respective functions.
Develops administrative programs designed to achieve the
objectives of the Municipal Court.
Analyzes, evaluates, and modifies office procedures, as required.
As required, participates in case processing, which may include
determining whether a summons or warrant should be issued;
interacting with defendants, witnesses, and attorneys; docketing;
recording payments and fines; operating recording machine during
court proceedings; scheduling trial calendars, and so forth.
Determines whether alleged facts justify the issuance of either a
summons or warrant for the arrest of the defendant. If a warrant for
arrest is issued, may determine bail amount consistent with parameters
established by Statutes and Rules of the Court.
Accepts complaints and takes oaths.
Attests to court writs, processes, commitments, search warrants,
bench warrants, and subpoenas.
Prepares court calendar.
Makes arrangements for court sessions, assures that court room
facilities are available, and that appropriate staff have been
assigned.
Assists the Municipal Court Judge in the arraignment of defendants.
Calls and swears witnesses at trial of cases.
Where authorized, sets conditions of pre-trial release in accordance
with bail schedules promulgated by the Administrative Office of the
Courts or by the Municipal Court.
Receives and disburses bail, fines, costs, and other court revenues.
Monitors court accounting and auditing and oversees the
maintenance of property controls and inventories.
Maintains and/or supervises the filing of complaints, processes,
court records, cash books, court dockets, traffic control sheets,
statistical records, reports, and files.
Supervises and directs the disposition of correspondence.
Monitors the physical condition of the court premises and
maintains decorum therein.
If serving as the Violations Clerk, supervises and/or performs all
relevant duties and related tasks.
Maintains liaison with the Municipal Court Judge, the governing
body, and other municipal officials regarding court activities;
provides requested information and responds to issues or complaints
involving court operations.
Submits budget requests and prepares necessary justification based
on past performance and projected needs; evaluates available equipment
and supplies and makes specific recommendations regarding their
acquisition.
Establishes and maintains required records and files.
Prepares or supervises the preparation of summary and statistical
reports as required by the municipality, vicinage level judicial
managers, and/or the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Initiates and conducts special research and analytical projects, compiles
and analyzes data, and makes recommendations regarding court
business and improvement based on these studies.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or
manual recording and computerized information systems used by
the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Graduation from High School or Vocational High School, or possession
of an approved High School Equivalency Certificate.
EXPERIENCE:
Two (2) years of experience in work related to the administrative
operation of a court, law enforcement agency, law office or government
agency, including the preparation and/or processing of legal documents.
NOTE: Thirty (30) college semester hour credits may be
substituted for one (1) year of experience.
SPECIAL NOTE: "Effective May 25, 2011, appointees must possess
a Municipal Court Administrator certificate issued by the New Jersey
Supreme Court, subject to the following exceptions: 1) A person
appointed provisionally prior to May 25, 2011 but after May 25, 2006 will
still have five years from the date of the provisional appointment to obtain
the certificate, even if the provisional subsequently receives a regular
appointment from an eligible list for the title but does not yet possess the
certificate at the time of regular appointment. 2. Interim appointments of
persons who do not possess a Municipal Court Administrator certificate
may be made pursuant to the provision for L.2006,c.20."
In addition, effective September 13, 2011, all newly appointed
non-certified municipal administrators must obtain conditional
accreditation within six months of the date of appointment. All newly
appointed, non-certified municipal court administrators must obtain
full accreditation within three years of the date of appointment.
A non-certified deputy municipal court administrator who fails to
obtain conditional accreditation within the time frames provided
above will be ineligible to remain in that title. The Municipal Court
Administrator Certification Board may grant an extension of time
upon a showing of good cause.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee
mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the
position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures used in
planning and implementing work activities.
Knowledge of the problems involved in the formulation of
effective policies and procedures for the office and other clerical and
related operations.
Knowledge of the methods used to prepare and supervise the
preparation of statistical and other reports containing findings,
conclusions, and recommendations.
Knowledge of the methods used in supervising the establishment
and maintenance of records and files.
Knowledge of the techniques used in budget preparation.
Knowledge of general accounting and statistical record keeping
methods.
Knowledge of the methods used to establish and maintain
required records and files.
Ability to establish, implement, and monitor work goals and
objectives.
Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work
methods.
Ability to give suitable assignments and instructions to
individuals and groups and to evaluate their performance.
Ability to effectively and efficiently coordinate the administrative
and clerical functions, staff, and facilities of an organization.
Ability to interpret applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations,
and procedures.
Ability to prepare clear, concise, accurate, and informative reports,
including those of a statistical nature.
Ability to take and maintain a firm and correct stand when controversial
matters are considered.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in
English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American
Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable
forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they
can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable
accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it
would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be
eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 07795 | | L | N | | N/A | 12 | | - |
This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
12/31/2011 |
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