What are the responsibilities and job description for the Court Administrator III - Polk, Pennington, and Red Lake Counties position at Minnesota Judicial Branch?
The Ninth Judicial District is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Court Administrator III for Polk, Pennington, and Red Lake counties in the Minnesota State Court system.
The court administrator serves as the administrative head of the court system in the three-county unit and is responsible for organizing, directing, and coordinating the activities of subordinates engaged in the direct processing of cases as well as related staff support. Work is performed with independence under the direction of the bench and the supervision of the Judicial District Administrator. The court administrator serves at the pleasure of the Ninth District Bench.
Polk, Pennington, and Red Lake counties, with four chambered judges, are part of the Ninth Judicial District, which is a 17-county, 24-judge area in north central and northwestern Minnesota. The three-county unit employs 21 court administration staff.
The permanent work location will be Polk County (Crookston, MN). However, it is expected that the court administrator will also travel to and work regularly at the offices in Pennington and Red Lake counties.
Responsibilities
The following are examples of major job duties expected of this position:
- Direct / advise subordinate supervisors or personally engage in implementing Court human resources processes to recruit, hire, train, coach, evaluate, compensate, recognize and discipline non-judicial court personnel in compliance with Minnesota Judicial Branch personnel policies and applicable union contracts.
- Ensure that a sufficient number of trained staff are assigned to perform daily duties necessary for the court to function effectively.
- Manage all aspects of case flow management from initiation through post-disposition of Criminal, Civil, Traffic, Family, Probate, Mental Health, Juvenile, and Conciliation cases to ensure that cases move through the system effectively. Ensure that all documents filed with the court are processed timely and accurately. Coordinate between court departments and justice partners to ensure that cases are scheduled efficiently.
- Collaborate with 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 applies 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.
- Manage the financial aspects of court operations including collecting, receiving and accounting for funds, fees, fines, bonds, and escrow funds, and tracking expenditures. Prepare financial reports detailing court financial management. Comply with all fiscal, risk management and audit policies and procedures.
- Provide input to the District and/or County on the development of the Court budget.
- Plan, design, and oversee courtroom and office space in one or more assigned facilities. Collaborate with County partners to ensure appropriate maintenance and security. Supervise the maintenance, repair, and security of court facilities, ensuring they remain safe, functional, and conducive to efficient court operations.
- Monitor Court information systems and hardware to ensure they are operating as designed and expected. Work with court or county technology staff to install, maintain or support hardware or software. May oversee technology upgrades or pilot technology initiatives.
- Manage the retention, storage, accessibility, and purging of court records ensuring compliance with Minnesota Judicial Branch policies and procedures, and other statutory requirements.
- Work with local Court and District leadership to develop and implement new Court operational policies, and procedures in response to changes in the law, Court rules or regulations. Evaluate current local Court and District policies and procedures for effectiveness and draft recommendations for improvements when appropriate.
- Represent the Court in various committees, task forces, and work groups at the District and County and state-wide level. Act as the public face of the Court to the news media, citizen organizations and other entities interested in the Court.
- Serves as a member of the Ninth District Management Team. Travel regularly within the three-county unit with onsite work expected in each county.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of the judicial branch organizational structure, operations, and the scope of authority of the district court.
- Knowledge of procedures and policies, legal documents, laws, and rules pertaining to the operation of the district court and the administration of justice.
- Knowledge of court financial management and audit policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures guiding records management and retention.
- Knowledge of various technology and information systems used in the court.
- Skill to effectively communicate thoughts, ideas, and messages to diverse individuals in oral and written form.
- Skill in managing employee performance and in providing constructive positive and corrective feedback.
- Skill in project management.
- Ability to manage multiple projects or work streams simultaneously and ensure that work is completed in a timely manner.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with judicial officers, justice partners, colleagues, staff and the public.
- Ability to manage conflict.
- Ability to solve complex problems and make decisions efficiently and effectively.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to travel frequently within the district and state.
Preferred Qualifications
The Minnesota Judicial Branch recognizes the diverse set of skills, strengths, and attributes that an individual may bring into a role. If you have any combination of experience, training, and education required for this position, please consider applying
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in business, public administration, court administration, or closely related field.
- Five (5) years of relevant work experience in a court or other legal environment such as processing various case types, filing and recordkeeping, completing court administrative duties. Three (3) years of supervisory experience.
To Apply
Please apply for this position by clicking the Apply Now button at the bottom of this page. Complete and submit your online application along with resume, cover letter, and at least three professional references by Monday, October 5, 2026, at 12:00 pm. (noon).
Interviews will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026.
This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for State of Minnesota employee benefits .
All employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory results of a criminal background check.
Please contact Human Resources with questions regarding this posting via email: ruth.bender@courts.state.mn.us ; Phone: (218) 759-4370.
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 Ruth.Bender@courts.state.mn.us . 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
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Salary : $41,029 - $63,591