MANAGER OF CIVIL PROCESS
STATE OF MAINE JUDICIAL BRANCH
LOCATION: Administrative Office of the Courts, Portland or Augusta
The State of Maine Judicial Branch welcomes motivated team members to join us in serving the communities of Maine within the court system. The Judicial Branch plays a very important role in our communities by providing a safe, accessible, efficient, and impartial system of dispute resolution. Judicial Branch employees all support this mission, in their various roles. We have 31 courts across the state and process over 130,000 cases each year in support of Maine's almost 1.4 million residents.
Salary Range:
Confidential Management Grade 21, $95,888 - $123,136
What We Offer:
At the Maine Judicial Branch, we value our employees, which is why we offer great benefits. In addition to competitive pay, we provide:
- Work-life balance: 13 paid holidays, 2+ weeks of vacation leave, and 12 paid sick days every year.
- Paid Parental Leave: 4 weeks
- Gym membership and childcare reimbursement programs
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
- Health insurance coverage (85%-100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
- Health insurance premium credit (5% decrease in employee premiums)
- Dental insurance (100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
- Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Defined Benefit Pension plan contributions
- Voluntary deferred compensation (retirement savings 457 Plan)
- Up to $1000 Tuition Reimbursement each year
- Employer-paid life insurance (1x annual salary)
- Additional wellness benefits
General Summary:
The Manager of Civil Process and Foreclosure Diversion Program (FDP) is responsible for organizing and executing the Judicial Branch's goal of improving process in all civil case types, by eliminating unproductive procedural events and identifying and recommending improvements to civil court practices and case flow processes. The Manager is responsible for assessing Judicial Branch policies, procedures, processes, and forms to improve communications and clarity of purpose.
The Manager works closely with judicial and administrative leadership, judges, clerks, administrators, and stakeholders, in analyzing civil court processes and management data, developing recommendations for improving efficiency within the trial courts, and working closely with the judiciary and administration to design, plan, and implement changes for improvement.
The Manager supervises the Court Management Analyst and others at the direction of the Chief of Court Operations. In addition, the Manager oversees mediators and the Foreclosure Diversion Program. The Manager reports to the Chief of Court Operations.
Essential Job Functions:
- Leads and supervises employees.
- Oversees financial management of the FDP account including monitoring revenue and expenditures and forecasting the sustainability of the FDP.
- Monitors and analyzes statistical and court management information related to all civil cases.
- Conducts research and analysis to define problems, issues or trends affecting the court system, and develops recommendations, solutions, or options.
- Assists in the development and implementation of new procedures, forms, and systems.
- Consistent with objectives identified by judicial leadership, recommends changes in court policies, rules, manuals, and procedures to improve the administration of justice.
- Reviews data and compiles information for reports, presentations, and meetings.
- Develops reports, presentations, and other documents.
- Participates in Case Management System development, implementation, and enhancement.
- Oversees mediation services for the FDP. Provides on-going training to mediators to ensure proficiency with technology, subject matter, and mediation skills.
- Assists the Chief Justice of the Superior Court with management of the medical malpractice screening process, including assisting with the transition to the new case management system.
- Under the direction of the Trial Court Chiefs and the civil liaison Justice of the Supreme Court, conducts reviews of civil case flow processes.
- Develops recommendations to improve civil scheduling and case processing.
- Monitors national trends and conducts research into best practices in civil case processing and scheduling.
- Assesses case assignment practices, the allocation of court time to particular court calendars, and makes recommendations to the Trial Court Chiefs for balancing court time to the demands of case types and develops initiatives to improve case processing.
- Uses key performance indicators to identify backlogs and other potential workflow issues and works with Trial Court Chiefs to develop and implement measures to address issues.
- Assists in the development and implementation of Civil Justice Reform, at the direction of the Trial Chiefs.
- Oversees management and evaluation of civil case dockets and pilot initiatives to assure that they operate in compliance with standards established by the governing authority, and to track and report on performance results for any pilot.
- Consults with other administrators to coordinate use of non-judicial or clerk resources and services, such as court reporters, court monitors, technology assistants, interpreters, and mediators.
- Develops budget requests and monitors budget expenditures.
- Gathers input from and assists in communicating with outside groups and stakeholders as appropriate.
- Assists with implementation of changes in court procedure related to legislative enactments.
- Assists in reviewing legislative initiatives and proposing legislation, as requested.
- Monitors legislative committee meetings, work sessions, and public hearings, as requested.
- Conducts training sessions, as requested.
- Serves on, chairs, and provides staff support to committees as assigned, including internal and external committees.
- Drafts Requests for Proposals and other procurement tools and oversees resulting contracts, as assigned.
- Recommends, designs, and manages projects for innovation and progress in civil process.
- Researches grants and other funding opportunities, prepares and monitors grant proposals, administers grants, and files grant reports, as assigned.
- Under the guidance of judicial leadership, conducts research and analysis to document and report success in meeting objectives.
- Extensive statewide travel may be required (including overnight stays).
- Some out-of-state travel may be required.
*The above list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification. A position may not be assigned all the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all the duties that may be assigned.
We're Looking For:
- Juris Doctor or equivalent degree from an American Bar Association accredited Law School.
- Five (5) years of experience in the practice of civil law.
- Active Maine Bar membership.
- Three (3) years of supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of functions and responsibilities of the Judicial Branch.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of court administration and case management.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with judges, clerks, court administrators and governmental officials.
- Ability to analyze statistical data and read complex reports.
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple assignments with minimal supervision.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Highly motivated self-starter.
- Ability to clearly and effectively express ideas and present information, orally and in writing.
- Proven ability to work positively in a changing system.
- Strong supervisory skills.
- Strong communications, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Leadership skills, including critical thinking and creativity.
- Ability to build productive professional relationships and maintain harmonious working relationships with staff, volunteers, community groups, and the general public.
- Ability to establish positive working relationships with court personnel, judges, attorneys, media, and others in carrying out responsibilities.
- Knowledge of the duties and training requirements of the participants in the judicial and legal system, including judges, court personnel, attorneys, and mediators.
- Ability to administer and promote programs, and plan, develop, and evaluate access to justice issues facing the Maine state judicial system.
- Ability to work with effectively with culturally diverse populations and individuals with disabilities.
- Ability to administer and promote focus groups and public meetings; manage grants; develop policy; and conduct, plan, and implement educational programs.
- Ability to staff various committees, commissions, and task forces.
- Ability to travel. (Overnight travel may be required.)
Preferred Skills, Experience, Training and Education:
- Considerable knowledge of Maine trial courts and experience with multiple case types preferred.
- Considerable knowledge of case processing in trial courts preferred.
- Five (5) or more years of supervisory experience preferred.
- Fluency with computerized word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs is strongly preferred, and will be required within a short period of time after initial employment.
- Fiscal management experience is preferred.
How to Apply: Cover letter, resume, and online application must be submitted online at https://www.courts.maine.gov/about/jobs.html.
The Judicial Branch is an EEO/AA employer.
