DESCRIPTION:
The Minnesota Court of Appeals is seeking a Court Administrator to direct the administration and operations of the court, in consultation and cooperation with the Chief Judge. The Court Administrator serves at the pleasure of the Court of Appeals Chief Judge.
The Court of Appeals is the state’s intermediate appellate court, consisting of 19 judges and approximately 70 employees. The court decides more than 2,000 cases each year. The Court of Appeals is located in the Minnesota Judicial Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, but its judges consistently travel throughout the state to hear oral arguments.
The Court Administrator manages various court operations, such as drafting and maintaining court policies and procedures, coordinating judicial panel assignments, overseeing the court’s expenditures and facilitating contract negotiations, and providing training and work directions to staff. The Court Administrator supports the court’s technological needs in a fast-paced, evolving work environment. The Court Administrator advises on budgetary and personnel matters.
The Court Administrator represents the Court of Appeals on Judicial Branch Committees and acts as liaison to other Judicial Branch offices and government partners.
This position requires working independently and as an effective team member and team leader. The ideal candidate will have strong communication and leadership skills, a high degree of integrity, and a high degree of organization and attention to detail. The ideal candidate will bring a creative, analytical, and collaborative approach to the position.
EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES:
The Court Administrator is generally responsible for effective daily functioning of the Court of Appeals. The following are examples of major job duties expected for this position:
- Represent the Court of Appeals at bi-weekly meetings of JAD (Judicial District Administrators and Directors) and on other Judicial Branch leadership committees.
- Report and advise at monthly bench meetings, coordinating with the Chief Judge to provide strategic leadership and project management to improve court operations.
- Monitor court expenditures and analyze budgetary priorities. Facilitate negotiation of contracts for goods and services.
- Facilitate orientation and training, as appropriate, for new judges, employees, and interns, including planning the annual group orientation for new law clerks and coordinating the court’s student intern program. Draft and revise court policies, procedures, and training materials.
- Facilitate various personnel matters, such as recruiting, hiring, performance reviews, and employee leave, together with Human Resources. Provide administrative and technical work direction to judicial executive assistants and manage personnel allocation as warranted to address absences or transitions. Supervise a receptionist and a judicial executive assistant.
- Coordinate technology access and effective functioning of court software, in coordination with the Information Technology Division. Act as subject-matter expert regarding the court’s business practices for using case-management and other appellate-specific software. Manage administration of the court’s internal SharePoint site and Westlaw account.
- Facilitate safety and security activities for the court including serving on relevant safety and security committees as well as taking an active role in security initiatives and developing protocols for the court.
- Serve as the project liaison for the court on Judicial Branch projects and initiatives including digital accessibility, data requests, regular statewide audits and other initiatives affecting the court’s business practices.
- Provide office management including tracking and maintaining office equipment, approving invoices and documenting court expenditures, and providing oversight for court scheduling.
- Maintain accurate and accessible Court of Appeals public website content, including self-help materials and the public court calendar.
- Collaborate with one or more judicial officers to coordinate and manage judicial scheduling, ensuring the efficient use of judicial resources, adherence to statutory hearing timelines, and effective case management. Interprets and apply court rules administrative orders, policies, and procedures to provide accurate guidance and support to judicial officers. Serves as the primary point of contact for judges regarding personnel, courtroom security, and facility-related matters.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS :
Any combination of education, training, and work experience which indicates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below will be considered. An example of an acceptable qualification is:
Minimum Qualifications:
- BA/BS degree with major course work in law, management, administration, or a related field
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of court rules and Judicial Branch policies and practices is strongly preferred.
- J.D. or M.P.A. degree
- Experience in court administration or other administrative-leadership positions.
- Familiarity with appellate court software such as MACS, MNDES, MNCIS, or SharePoint.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Considerable knowledge of office management practices, procedures, and techniques.
- Considerable knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques of budgets and expenditure control.
- Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting administrative policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulations.
- Ability to work effectively with judges, court staff, administrative staff, and the public.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Public service and customer-service orientation and ability to develop and maintain effective and respectful stakeholder relationships.
- Ability to work appropriately with confidential data.
- Ability to analyze, assemble, and compile information for reports.
- Ability to recognize, investigate, and analyze a variety of administrative issues and recommend effective solutions.
- Ability to assign and direct the work of other office staff.
- Ability to work well independently and to lead and contribute to work groups and project teams.
SALARY: The expected starting salary range for external candidates is $40.08 - $51.11per hour ($83,687 - $106,718 annually). The full salary range for this position is $40.08 - $62.14 per hour ( $83,687 - $129,748 annually). This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for State of MN employee benefits.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Position Logistics:
The position is classified as Court Operations Manager 1. Work will be performed predominantly during normal business hours, Monday-Friday. This work will be conducted in an office setting at the Minnesota Judicial Center located in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota.
TO APPLY: Complete and submit your online application with a resume and cover letter attached by 6/16/2026 at 11:59pm. References may be requested at a later date. Employment offers may be rescinded if the required criminal background check identifies job related convictions.
Why Work for Us?
Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the MJB. We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and value diversity in professional background and cultural characteristics. We are intentional and mindful about the organizational culture we are building, seeking broad-minded individuals with robust capabilities who value supporting one another’s growth.
Employee Benefits
The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in you as an employee. Because of that, we offer affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family’s wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees includes health and wellness benefits, enhanced fertility benefits, short- and long-term disability, pension, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more at Employee Benefits - Careers at the Minnesota Judicial Branch Careers . Minnesota Judicial Branch employees may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This federal program allows qualified individuals to have their loans forgiven after meeting certain requirements working in public service. You can learn more about this program from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the office of Federal Student Aid.
Equal Employment Opportunity
It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting Human Resources at
[email protected]. The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.
Internal Applicants
If you are a current employee of the Minnesota Judicial Branch, please apply to open positions conveniently through your Oracle account by visiting Opportunity Marketplace - Browse Opportunities .
