DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

The San Bernardino Superior Court is seeking a forward-thinking Deputy Director of Operations to lead and enhance critical court functions—an exciting opportunity for a results-oriented leader who thrives in a dynamic, high-impact environment. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in court or public-sector operations, a commitment to service excellence, and the ability to foster collaboration across judicial, administrative, and community stakeholders. This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies county-wide. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A strong candidate will possess the ability to:

• Plan, develop, and evaluate operational programs, processes, and staff to align with court goals and performance standards; conduct reviews and recommend system and workflow enhancements.
• Direct and support managers and staff through hiring, coaching, performance management, and training initiatives; ensure alignment with personnel policies and labor agreements.
• Analyze legislation, audit procedures, and coordinate operational policy updates to ensure court practices comply with legal requirements and meet service expectations.
• Monitor unit budgets, oversee financial transactions, and coordinate with county departments to manage court facilities, security, and procurement activities.
• Lead efforts to improve case flow, recordkeeping, and service delivery through operational studies, data analysis, and technology-driven process improvements.

1. Human Resources will review applications. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will advance to the next step. Note: Resumes will not be accepted in place of the required application and supplemental questions. 
2. Applicants who progress in screening will be invited to participate in an oral exam (pre-recorded or in-person interview).
3. Passing applicants will be added to the eligible list. 
4. An email notice will be sent to the candidates informing them of their status.

VIEW THE 2025 BENEFITS GUIDE

Typical duties of the Deputy Director of Operations may include, but are not limited to:

1. Plans, organizes, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of the assigned management, supervisory and operational staff; with managers and supervisors, develops, implements and monitors work plans, programs, systems, process, and procedures to achieve court goals, objectives and work standards; reviews, evaluates, and proposes budget recommendations for the assigned operational units; oversees the preparation and maintenance of a variety of reports and statistical data; and conducts review and analysis to identify area of concerns.
2. Manages the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects new staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends compensation and provides other rewards to recognize performance; hears and makes recommendations on grievances; subject to upper management concurrence, approves or takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with court Personnel Plan policies and labor contract agreements.
3. Provides day-to-day leadership and works with supervising judges, judicial officers, managers and staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports achieving the court's mission, objectives and values regarding teamwork, mutual trust and respect; applies process improvement and quality management principles to assigned area of responsibility.
4. Monitors the effectiveness of the assigned court's operations; plans to analyze and resolve operational problems and internal and external customer complaints, conducts operational studies, researches and audits to ensure operational efficiency and compliance with applicable state and local rules and regulations; develops and implements policies and methodologies to enhance court services; prepares policy and procedural memorandum and manuals; compiles and prepares status reports and workload statistics; interacts with judicial officers when appropriate for problem resolution..
5. Manages and oversees personnel functions for assigned court; assesses staffing needs and coverage to ensure adequate staffing; ensures accurate maintenance of staff attendance records; coordinates vacation schedules; may conduct attendance audits; conducts disciplinary investigations and assists the court in disciplinary investigations; plans, organizes and coordinates staff training; develops and implements training plans.
6. Reviews new legislation and policies for impact on operations; informs managers and supervisors and distributes information regarding new/revised legislation, policies and procedures; ensures the revision and implementation of procedural changes to comply with new legislation.
7. Oversees the financial transactions of the assigned court unit including managing the receipt and accounting of fees and expenses; approving change fund replenishment; conducting investigations into cash handling errors; and coordinating fiscal matter with departmental management.
8. Oversees and coordinates facilities management activities with departmental management and other county departments; assesses facilities and equipment needs; assists in coordinating facility repairs and improvements; reviews and approves purchase orders and requisitions; identifies and participates in resolving security issues.
9. Manages case processing activities to ensure proper custody, maintenance, storage and disposal of court records; coordinates the resolution of case flow management issues with judicial officers and staff; assists in analyzing case activity to project future staffing, information systems and facility needs; oversees the correct receipt, maintenance, archival, issuance and destruction of legal documents, case files and exhibits.
10. Manages operational contracts and services; prepares statements of work for operational needs; manages vendors by conducting evaluations, monitoring performance, and maintaining relationships; and prepares and approves payment documents. 
11. Serves as project leads for various court initiatives.
12. Acts as liaison with local and state agencies, attorneys, and general public to discuss, coordinate and implement procedures.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in court operations, public administration, or legal environment, with at least five (5) years of which were at a management or supervisory level.

Experience Substitution: 

Two (2) years of experience may be substituted by the following:

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the fields of business, public administration, criminal justice, finance, economics or closely related field;
• Completion of the Institute for Court Management (CMP) certificate program; or,
• Completion of the Institute for Court Management Fellows Program.

Highly Desirable:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in business, public administration or closely related field; completion of the Institute for Court Management Court Management Program (CMP); completion of the Institute for Court Management Fellows Program; management or supervisory experience with any Superior Court of California.

Knowledge of:

• Court organization, ordinances, rules, policies and procedures relating to the administration of the assigned court;
• Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program development and implementation;
• Court and courtroom processes and procedures;
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to area of assigned responsibility;
• General functions and organization of the judicial system, including the multiple divisions of the San Bernardino Superior Court, areas of litigation and the roles and functions of other legal and law enforcement agencies;
• Principles and practices of public administration, including planning, budgeting, purchasing and maintaining public records;
• The court's information technology systems as applied to court operations;
• Principles and practices of case and calendar management;
• Principles and practices of project management and implementation;
• Research methods and statistical analysis techniques;
• Computers and applicable software applications;
• Principles and practices of effective business communications;
• Customer service standards, policies, procedures and etiquette;
• Principles and practices of effective management/supervision; and,
• Principles and practices of labor relations; and,
• Court Personnel Plan Policies and labor contract provisions.

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to ten (10) pounds unaided.  Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  

Salary : $112,798 - $144,236