Municipal Division Chief

Our mission is to provide quality customer service to the people of Hamilton County, promote access to justice for all, manage financial services for the justice system, and ensure the integrity, preservation, and accuracy of our court records while providing fair and timely access to them. The Clerk’s Office is committed to our 200 employees. We strive to create a work environment where employees thrive, engage, feel supported, and find community. We aim to be the employer-of-choice for public sector employees in the region by purposefully defining our culture, providing professional training and personal growth opportunities, recognizing and rewarding performance, and encouraging our employees to innovate and lead.

REPORTS TO: Chief of Court Operations

STATUS: Full-time, overtime exempt , not classified in civil service

JOB LOCATION: Hamilton County Courthouse

STANDARD HOURS: Monday – Friday; 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None 

STARTING PAY: $3,884.62 bi-weekly

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Yes

JOB OVERVIEW:              

The Municipal Division Chief plays an important leadership role within the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, overseeing the daily operations, strategic direction, and continuous improvement of the Municipal Civil and Criminal & Traffic Courts. Reporting directly to the Chief of Court Operations, this position is responsible for ensuring efficient court operations, fostering a collaborative work environment, and upholding the highest standards of service, accuracy, and integrity.

We are seeking a results-driven leader who is passionate about public service and committed to operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess:

• Strong Leadership & Management Skills – The ability to set clear goals, guide a diverse team, and develop a culture of accountability, fairness, and teamwork.
• Operational Expertise – A deep understanding of court procedures, case processing, and legal compliance to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
• Commitment to Service & Innovation – A proactive mindset focused on improving court processes, embracing technology, and enhancing public accessibility.
• Relationship-Building Ability – Experience collaborating with judges, law enforcement, attorneys, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless court operations and strong partnerships.
• Adaptability & Strategic Thinking – A forward-thinking approach to managing change, implementing new policies, and aligning the division’s work with the broader goals of the Clerk of Courts.

This role is ideal for a dedicated public servant who thrives in a fast-paced environment, values continuous improvement, and is eager to make a lasting impact on the justice system.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:         

40% Leadership and Management

• Set goals and priorities for the division that align with the Clerk of Courts’ mission.
• Track and evaluate the division’s performance to ensure it runs effectively.
• Lead a diverse team, creating a workplace that values teamwork, fairness, and accountability.
• Supervise, guide, and support Assistant Chiefs to help them succeed in their roles.
• Hire, train, and develop staff to build a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.
• Create and enforce policies and procedures to keep operations consistent and efficient.
• Look for ways to improve processes, including using new technology to make work easier and more effective.

30% Daily Operations

• Oversee the Municipal Civil and Criminal & Traffic Courts, ensuring courtroom clerks, front counter staff, and data entry teams provide reliable and efficient service.
• Regularly review how the division operates and make changes to improve efficiency and customer service.
• Establish and enforce policies and procedures for the accurate and timely issuance of arrest warrants and the coordination of search warrants with the judge on duty. Ensure compliance with legal requirements and best practices across the division.
• Oversee the effectiveness and compliance of bond and ticket payment processes by setting policies, monitoring financial controls, and ensuring accessibility and efficiency in public-facing payment services. Collaborate with finance and technology teams to improve payment systems.
• Assign tasks appropriately while making sure responsibilities are clear and work is completed properly.

20% Building and Maintaining Relationships

• Work closely with judges, law enforcement, attorneys, court administration, and the public to keep the division running smoothly.
• Partner with other divisions and Clerk’s Offices across the state to share ideas and improve processes.
• Serve as the main point of contact between the division and other county agencies to ensure strong cooperation.
• Represent the division at public meetings, legal discussions, and inter-agency committees.

10% Managing Change and Keeping the Division Aligned with Office Goals

• Lead the implementation of new policies, procedures, and technology.
• Clearly communicate changes and expectations to staff.
• Foster a workplace culture where employees feel informed, engaged, and encouraged to collaborate.
• Ensure the division’s work aligns with the overall goals and standards of the Clerk of Courts Office.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Knowledge of:

• Court operations, case processing, and legal procedures related to municipal civil, criminal, and traffic courts.
• Local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and best practices governing court administration, public records, and legal compliance.
• Warrant issuance procedures, bond administration, and payment processing policies.
• Principles of leadership, team development, and organizational management.
• Customer service practices and public engagement strategies in a government setting.
• Data analysis, performance metrics, and process improvement techniques to enhance operational efficiency.
• Financial controls related to court payments, fines, and compliance with fiscal policies.
• Records management, confidentiality protocols, and proper handling of legal documents.
• Technology solutions and automation tools used in court administration.
• Effective communication strategies, including professional writing, public speaking, and conflict resolution.

Ability to:

• Lead and manage a diverse team, fostering an environment of collaboration, fairness, and accountability.
• Set strategic goals, track division performance, and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
• Interpret and apply court policies, legal regulations, and compliance requirements effectively.
• Oversee the accurate and timely processing of warrants, bond payments, and court transactions.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with judges, law enforcement, attorneys, and the public.
• Represent the division professionally in public meetings, discussions, and inter-agency collaborations.
• Implement and manage change initiatives, including new policies, procedures, and technology upgrades.
• Handle sensitive personnel matters with discretion, professionalism, and ethical integrity.
• Analyze complex problems, develop solutions, and make sound, data-driven decisions.
• Effectively communicate with staff, leadership, and the public in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS:           

• High school diploma or equivalent; and
• 15 years of progressive experience in court operations, public administration, or a related field; and
• 5 years of experience in management or supervision of more than 20 employees; or
• bachelor’s degree or higher in law, legal studies, public administration, or a closely related discipline; or
• any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS:        

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is a sedentary job and the employee will sit 75% of his/her workday.  The employee is expected to use a computer keyboard for extended periods of time and lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Hamilton County Clerk of Courts is committed to providing a work environment where all employees are treated fairly and equally in all terms and conditions of employment, and all decisions concerning Clerk employees or applicants shall be made without regard to race, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age or disability. We have zero tolerance for violations of employee rights, harassment or discrimination based on any of the above criteria.