District Courts Administrator

The District Courts Administrator serves as the chief executive officer for the District Courts’ administrative enterprise, providing strategic, operational, fiscal, and policy leadership for the largest and one of the most complex District Court systems in the State of Texas. The Administrative Office of the District Courts (DCA) provides centralized leadership, governance, and operational oversight for 67 elected State District Court Judges across Civil, Criminal, Family, and Juvenile Divisions, as well as 17 Associate Judges. Collectively, the District Courts oversee a vast and diverse caseload with significant constitutional, fiscal, and public safety implications for millions of residents and function as a core component of the judicial branch of government.

In this role, the District Courts Administrator leads an organization comprising approximately 50 professional staff within the Administrative Office of the District Courts and more than 167 judicial support personnel countywide. Appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the District Judges pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 75. 401, the Administrator Works in close Partnership with the Local Administrative Judge and the judiciary to ensure the effective, efficient, and equitable administration of justice. The position requires sophisticated executive judgment,deep expertise in court governance, and the demonstrated ability to lead a large, high-profile public institution operating at the intersection of the judiciary, county government, state agencies, and the public.

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Administrative Office of the District Courts (DCA), serving as the chief administrative executive responsible for the governance, operations, and support functions of the District Courts.
• Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of strategic and operational plans for the District Courts, ensuring alignment with judicial priorities, statutory mandates, constitutional obligations, and long-term institutional objectives.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of DCA leadership and management staff, establishing clear expectations, accountability frameworks, and performance standards across all administrative functions supporting the District Courts.
• Serve as the principal administrative liaison between the Board of District Judges, the Local Administrative Judge, County Commissioners, and other internal and external stakeholders, promoting clear communication, transparency, accountability, and effective intergovernmental coordination.
• Direct the preparation, presentation, and administration of the District Courts’ annual operating budget,ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship, compliance with applicable laws and policies, and alignment with judicial priorities.
• Provide executive advisement and operational support to the judiciary on court administration matters, including caseflow management, calendar control, jury administration,indigent defense processes, personnel services, court technology, and related functions.
• Monitor and assess court performance, caseflow, and operational capacity, and lead continuous improvement and modernization initiatives through data-informed decision-making and administrative reform.
• Provide strategic oversight of information technology, data, and records systems supporting the District Courts, including long-range planning for case management systems, reporting capabilities, cybersecurity, public information requests,and technology modernization.
• Ensure continuity of judicial operations by leading emergency preparedness, disaster response,and business continuity planning in coordination with county and state partners during weather events, public health emergencies, or other disruptions.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, facilities management, and security partners to ensure the safety and security of judges, court personnel, jurors, litigants, and the public, including oversight of high-profile, high-risk, or sensitive court proceedings.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and constitutional requirements related to indigent defense, including appointment processes, compensation, claims review, and oversight of high-cost cases.
• Ensure system wide compliance with accessibility and equity requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) standards, to promote fair and equitable access to justice.
• Direct the pursuit and administration of grants and external funding, including compliance with reporting requirements, to support innovation, modernization, and special initiatives.

Other Duties:

• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of District Judges and/or the Local Administrative Judge, consistent with the effective administration of justice.
• This position may require work before, during, or after an emergency or disaster, at the direction of the Board of District Judges, to ensure continuity of court operations.
• This Job description Is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities associated with the position. Duties and responsibilities may be assigned or modified as organizational needs evolve.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

• Bachelor’s Degree from an academically accredited college or university.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in court administration, justice system operations, or a closely related public-sector executive environment.
• Minimum of seven (7) years in a senior managerial or executive leadership role overseeing complex court administrative functions, including supervision of managers and responsibility for multiple operational domains.

• Comprehensive knowledge of modern court administration principles, judicial governance structures, and best practices applicable to large, complex trial court systems.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership for a judicial organization, including setting priorities, aligning resources, and executing long-term operational and institutional objectives
• Strong understanding of public-sector budgeting, financial management, and fiscal stewardship, including experience overseeing large, complex budgets and ensuring accountability and compliance.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change, modernization initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts in complex, high-accountability public institutions.
• Ability to navigate constitutional, statutory, and policy frameworks governing court operations while preserving judicial independence and public trust.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and diplomatic skills, with the ability to work effectively with judges, elected officials, senior government leaders, staff, external partners, and the public.
• Demonstrated success managing cross-functional teams and executive staff, establishing performance expectations, and fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, and collaboration.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to assess operational risks, evaluate alternatives, and make sound judgments in high-pressure and high-visibility environments.
• Knowledge of and experience with information technology, data analytics, and performance measurement systems used to support court operations, transparency, and evidence-based decision making.
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, and fairness in the administration of justice, including compliance with ADA, language access, and other access-to-justice requirements.
• High ethical standards and a demonstrated commitment to transparency, integrity, and public accountability in judicial administration.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Judicial Administration, Public Policy, Law, or a related field strongly preferred.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:  

• Regular Full-Time | Exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Monday – Friday | 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. 
  • Variations from those hours may occur, including early mornings, evenings and weekends as needed

Salary: 

• $144,102 - $216,153 Annually
• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

• Harris County District Courts 1201 Franklin, Houston, TX 77002 
  
  

Salary : $144,102 - $216,153