Salary: $55,833.12 - $94,920.48

The State Court Administrative Office, Friend of the Court Bureau is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Court Analyst. The position will perform trial court and friend of the court research and analysis on behalf of the State Court Administrative Office. Conduct onsite reviews of operations to analyze processes and procedures to assist with operational efficiency improvements and to ensure compliance with court rules, policies, and statutes governing trial court and friend of the court operations. Assignments may have a direct relationship to work in other units within SCAO and may have an impact on other staff and the public.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CA-1

• Assist in the research, analysis and development of Management Assistance Project reports that evaluate trial court operations and make recommendations for improvement;
• Manage or assist with one or more aspects of ongoing division projects;
• Analyze proposed legislation and court rules. Attend meetings of judicial/court associations to discuss impact of proposal(s) on trial courts and possible implementation methods. May assist in drafting court-related legislation. Review and assess the impact of legislation or court rules related to the trial courts and determine procedures necessary to implement new requirements.
• Serve as liaison to convey Supreme Court and State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) positions and policies at judicial conferences, meetings, and court administration association meetings. Serve on committees and task forces within and outside of SCAO;
• Respond to inquiries from Regional Administrators and other SCAO personnel, judges, court staff, legislators, and others regarding trial court practices, court facility design, space and records management, and the interpretation of court policies, rules, and related statutes;
• Participate in the analysis and audit of record keeping, case trend data, and related administrative operations and make recommendations or assist in the development of recommendations concerning trial court and friend of the court operations;
• Monitor and analyze required reports and follow up with judges and court administrators when problems are indicated. Compile and analyze statistics and data on various areas of court and friend of the court performance;
• Participate  in  special  committees  established  within  SCAO  to  develop  policies,  forms  and manuals, and recommended language for modifications to or creation of new court rules. Serve on advisory committees to provide input regarding state programs;
• Convene and facilitate workgroups to review and analyze need for new processes, procedures, forms, manuals, and other materials to assist trial courts and litigants;
• Assist in preparing requests for proposal and grant applications. Assist with grant administration;
• Develop training, forms, and manuals regarding policies and procedures, instructional issues, and other topics for trial courts. Speak at presentations and training sessions. May serve as faculty for the Michigan Judicial Institute;
• Evaluate trial court compliance with statutes and the Supreme Court’s rules and policies. Prepare and present recommendations to improve trial court efficiency and direct or assist with implementation;
• Review  and  recommend  automation  and  office  technology  improvements  for  trial  courts, including standardized procedures, forms, and records management techniques;
• Evaluate and recommend methods for reducing trial court docket backlogs.

CA-2 (In addition to the duties of the CA-1)

• In  collaboration  with  leadership,  lead  teams  in the preparation of  trial  court  Management Assistance Project reports;
• Manage  complex,  time-limited  projects  that  may  require  training  other  assigned  staff  and coordinating their activities;
• Design procedures to implement requirements brought about by new legislation and court rule changes;
• Develop or assist in developing grant proposals. May be responsible for administering grants;
• Evaluate compensation plans, staffing plans, personnel policies and procedures, and related information for trial courts;
• Draft proposals for more complex administrative orders, court rules, contracts and SCAO policies that will be used by trial courts and friends of the court;
• Work with internal and external stakeholders on more difficult or complex issues that are likely to require explanation or negotiation. Resolve disagreements;
• Prepare  public  education  materials  and  other  publications.  Lead  training  and  educational sessions.

CA-3 (In addition to the duties of the CA-2)

• Coordinate complex projects, including the work of other analysts and support staff;
• Develop recommendations for trial court management assistance projects;
• Spend approximately 20 percent of time working with internal and external stakeholders on difficult issues that are likely to require explanation or negotiation. The analyst will need to use interpersonal and communication skills to resolve disagreements, lead educational sessions, and make other presentations;
• Plan, coordinate, lead, and write management projects. Lead teams and other assignments independently or without supervision;
• Advise trial judges, friends of the court, and trial court personnel as a subject matter expert on administrative, fiscal and operational issues;
• Administer grants;
• Investigate improper or irregular activities occurring within trial courts;
• Lead, train, and improve operations relative to projects or area of expertise;
• Evaluate division job applicants and serve on interview panels.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in judicial, public, or business administration or related field; JD preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• CA-1 A minimum of two years of progressively more responsible work experience in trial courts.
• CA-2 Five years of progressively more responsible work experience in the trial courts, with at least three of those years including supervisory responsibilities, research and statistical analysis, or closely related assignments.
• CA-3 A minimum of five years of progressively more responsible work experience managing trial court operations, performing legal research and statistical analysis, or closely related assignments.

A master’s degree in court, public, or business administration or a juris doctor from an accredited law school may be substituted for two years of experience.