Court Administrator

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Court Administer is a supervisory administrative position of the Judicial Branch of the Government of the Tribe and the Court Administrator shall also serve as Department Director and Court Clerk. The Tribal Court Administrator shall be responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the Tribal Court system are operating effectively and efficiently and shall provide administrative relief to all presiding Judges as may be necessary. Responsibilities include. Analysis of legal decisions; compiling substantive information on legal subjects; collecting, analyzing, and evaluating information in connection with hearing, appeals, litigation, or advisory services; and directing financial management over activities of the judicial system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the Tribal Court budget; identify resources for funding and technical assistance; determine and collect filing fees and fines; manage charges, deposits, collections, distributions, and refunds; balance and deposit monies collected; and prepare reporting narratives and financial reports.
• Care for and generate Tribal Court records and reports; compile Court data and statistics; file and/or certify documents; attend court sessions; schedule and calendar proceedings; take minutes for record when in Court; and perform legal processing assignments, as necessary.
• Coordinate and compensate court personnel and court-appointed advocates as necessary and according to the relevant contract agreements.
• Manage jury and witness participation; establish jury pools; prepare jury affidavits; impanel jurors; administer oaths and issue summons and subpoenas.
• Act as librarian to keep and properly maintain the Court’s law library.
• Oversee record management including computer operations, record retention and storage of records, local recordkeeping, and reporting of court minutes. Interprets and executes statutory mandates, rules of court, and judicial system policies as they relate to administrative matters.
• Attend various executive meetings and other meetings and conferences requiring periodic travel on behalf of the Court.
• Analyze and prepare court security plans and coordinate with local law enforcement on high-risk matters.
• Take action on overdue cases, authorizing issuance of bond forfeiture notices and ensuring that necessary enforcement action is taken for failure to appear, and/or failure to comply with civil infraction judgments.
• Coordinate, host, and/or present in-house legal trainings and seminars for tribal departments.
• Maintain case confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential.
• Performs other duties as required.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Political Science preferred.
• Two (2) years of professional experience in the legal or judicial system.
• Or Graduate of an accredited Paralegal/Legal Assistant course and five (5) years professional experience in the legal or judicial system.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively with Native American people in culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to manage time well and work under stressful conditions with an even temperament.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Knowledge of Laws, regulations, legislation, operations, rules, policies, and procedures of Dispute Resolution/Mediation and the Tribal Court.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and documents used in court cases.
• Knowledge of establishment and maintenance of filing and information retrieval systems.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of complex and specialized support duties for the Tribal Court.
• Skill and ability to organize and multi-task – ability to prioritize tasks by importance and accomplish highest priority tasks each day.
• Ability to work with others on an individual basis utilizing high interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to read, understand, apply and retain knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, and policies.
• Outstanding organizational abilities and must be able to prioritize.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel) and internet resources.

Conditions of Employment:

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma operates a drug-free workplace.

• Must submit to and pass applicable drug test.
• Must pass background investigations for suitability of character identified in accordance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act.