Job Description

Posting number: 202600205

Department: Courts

Job classification: Court Coordinator

Posting type: Open

Categories: Court Administration

Summary

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 74.101, each court coordinator is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the judge who appointed the coordinator. In accordance with Texas Government Code § 74.102, court coordinators perform duties designated by applicable local administrative rules and cooperate with regional presiding judges, local administrative judges, and state agencies having responsibilities related to court operations in furtherance of the uniform and efficient administration of justice.

Under the direction of the appointing Judge, the Court Coordinator performs professional administrative, docket management, and caseflow management functions for the assigned court. The position manages and coordinates the court's caseload, which may include criminal, civil, family, juvenile, probate, or other matters within the jurisdiction or assignment of the court. The Court Coordinator manages the court's docket and calendar; monitors cases from filing or assignment through disposition; coordinates hearings, jury and non-jury trials, and other court proceedings; facilitates communication among the court, attorneys, litigants, court personnel, County departments, and other governmental agencies; and assists the Judge in the efficient administration and operation of the court.

Examples of duties

• Manages and coordinates the assigned court's docket and monitors cases from filing or assignment through final disposition.
• Develops, organizes, and maintains the court's daily, weekly, and long-range calendars; schedules hearings, conferences, pretrial proceedings, bench trials, jury trials, and other court proceedings based on case status, court availability, statutory requirements, judicial priorities, and other relevant considerations.
• Monitors pending cases and docket activity to identify aging cases, inactive matters, approaching deadlines, scheduling conflicts, and other matters requiring administrative follow-up or judicial attention.
• Implements case-flow management procedures established by the Judge and assists in developing and maintaining processes that promote timely case progression and efficient use of court resources.
• Coordinates the availability and participation of attorneys, parties, witnesses, court reporters, interpreters, bailiffs, jurors, and other individuals necessary for court proceedings.
• Prepares and communicates notices of court settings, scheduling changes, continuances, cancellations, and other docket-related information to appropriate parties and keeps the Judge informed of matters affecting the court's calendar or operations.
• Coordinates jury trials and other court proceedings, including arrangements for jury panels, courtroom availability, security, court reporting, technology, and other logistical requirements.
• Assists with the coordination of prospective jurors during jury selection, including individual voir dire and proceedings requiring special scheduling, security, or logistical arrangements.
• Assists in coordinating complex, multi-party, high-profile, or otherwise administratively demanding cases and proceedings, including scheduling, courtroom logistics, security considerations, jury coordination, and communication among affected offices.
• Coordinates requests for visiting judges and works with the Regional Presiding Judge, Local Administrative Judge, Office of Court Administration, and appropriate County personnel regarding judicial coverage and associated courtroom requirements.
• Assists the Judge during hearings, trials, and other court proceedings as needed, including coordinating participants and addressing administrative or logistical matters.
• Reviews case information, filings, and docket activity in preparation for hearings, trials, and other proceedings and brings relevant scheduling, procedural, or administrative matters to the Judge's attention.
• Prepares routine orders, correspondence, docket materials, reports, and other court-related documents for the Judge's review and approval.
• Coordinates with the District Clerk's Office, County Clerk's Office, District Attorney's Office, Sheriff's Office, Community Supervision and Corrections Department, Pretrial Services, Office of Court Administration, other courts, and other departments or agencies as applicable to the assigned court and case type.
• Serves as a liaison between the Judge and attorneys, self-represented litigants, court personnel, County departments, governmental agencies, and other participants in the judicial system; establishes and maintains effective communication and working relationships necessary for court operations.
• Responds to inquiries from attorneys, litigants, governmental agencies, and the public regarding court schedules, procedures, and administrative matters while maintaining appropriate boundaries regarding legal advice, judicial decision-making, and confidential information.
• Maintains accurate court calendars, docket information, case-management records, statistical information, and other administrative records necessary for court operations and utilizes applicable case-management, scheduling, reporting, and other technology systems to support those functions.
• Coordinates specialized and administrative dockets established by the Judge, including dismissal, status, compliance, case management, and other dockets designed to monitor case progression and facilitate timely disposition.
• Assists the Judge in developing, implementing, and maintaining court policies, administrative procedures, forms, and internal processes; identifies operational or caseflow issues and recommends improvements to court procedures, docket management, technology utilization, interdepartmental coordination, and administrative processes.
• Compiles and maintains caseload, disposition, case-aging, docket activity, and other statistical information and prepares reports as required or requested by the Judge, Local Administrative Judge, County, or authorized state agencies.
• Maintains knowledge of changes in statutes, court rules, local rules, administrative requirements, technology, and court-management practices affecting court operations.
• Maintains the confidentiality of sensitive case, judicial, personnel, criminal justice, and other information obtained through the performance of assigned duties.
• Completes continuing education required by law and participates in professional development related to court administration and judicial operations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the appointing Judge.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Experience in a court, legal, judicial, governmental, criminal justice, or closely related environment preferred. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Government, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of: Court operations, procedures, terminology, docket management, and caseflow management principles; applicable laws, statutes, court rules, local rules, policies, and procedures governing court operations; judicial proceedings and processes applicable to the assigned court; the organization and functions of the Texas judicial system and the roles and responsibilities of court-related offices, departments, and agencies; and case-management, scheduling, reporting, records management, and standard office technology used in court operations.

Skills in: Managing complex and frequently changing court calendars, caseloads, deadlines, and competing priorities; coordinating court proceedings involving judges, attorneys, litigants, jurors, witnesses, court personnel, governmental agencies, and other participants; identifying scheduling, caseflow, and operational issues and developing effective solutions; preparing professional correspondence, reports, notices, court-related documents, and administrative materials; communicating clearly, effectively, and professionally, both orally and in writing, with diverse individuals while exercising tact, diplomacy, discretion, and sound judgment; and utilizing case-management systems and other technology to manage docket information, monitor case activity, maintain records, and prepare reports.

Ability to: Exercise independent judgment and discretion within established authority and under the direction of the appointing Judge; organize and prioritize multiple assignments, anticipate court needs, adapt to changing circumstances, and meet deadlines; interpret, understand, and apply applicable statutes, court rules, local rules, policies, and procedures; maintain confidentiality of sensitive case, judicial, personnel, criminal justice, and other protected information; work independently with minimal supervision and remain professional and effective in stressful, rapidly changing, or emotionally charged situations; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, court staff, County employees, attorneys, governmental agencies, justice-system partners, and the public.

Supplemental information

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: Frequently operates a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other standard office equipment. Frequently communicates with judges, attorneys, court staff, governmental agencies, and members of the public and must be able to exchange accurate information. Regularly remains in a stationary position while performing administrative, case-management, and courtroom duties. Frequently moves about offices, courtrooms, and other County facilities. Occasionally bends, stoops, reaches, and lifts or carries files, office supplies, equipment, and other materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in an office and courtroom environment. Position requires frequent interaction with judges, attorneys, court staff, County personnel, governmental agencies, litigants, jurors, and members of the public. Work requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to changing court schedules and operational needs, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgment and professionalism in stressful or emotionally charged situations.

DISCLAIMER: The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the standard functions of this position and should not be constructed as a thorough description of all work requirements. The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Employer: Lubbock County will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.