Chief Of Staff

Position Description

The Chief of Staff (Chief Clerk) serves as strategic advisor to the Judge and as a liaison between the Justice of the Peace and local officials, county departments, and stakeholders. The Chief Clerk works closely with the Judge to manage the activities of JP 2-2, prepare and administer budgets, and maintain fiscal records of the court. This position oversees talent acquisition, planning and establishing goals and objectives, development of schedules, priorities and standards for achieving goals, and coordinating and evaluating program activities. Additionally, the Chief Clerk recommends policies and procedures to assure conformity with legal requirements and efficient operations.

Leadership:

• Serves as strategic advisor to the Justice of the Peace (Judge) to shape the short- and long-term goals for the court.

• Performs administrative support for the Judge, including but not limited to coordinating communications, scheduling meetings, and maintaining calendars.

• Proposes new and revises exiting departmental policies and guidelines in order to promote efficient operations, including but not limited to determining key performance indicators and how to measure team success.

• Performs difficult and specialized clerical work involving the exercise of considerable individual judgment and knowledge of appropriate laws, regulations and procedures of the department assigned.

• Manages/coordinates the internship program(s) and community outreach.

• Plans, coordinates and supervises the work of clerical staff engaged in a wide variety of clerical activities.

Talent Acquisition:

• Prepares job postings and job descriptions.

• Conducts candidate pre-screening, pre-employment interviews with supervisors, makes hiring recommendations to fill positions under direct supervision, internal new hire orientation and 90 day / annual performance evaluations.

• Conduct New Hire On-boarding including but not limited to applications, background checks, drug screening, etc.

• Conducts performance counseling, as needed, and recommends disciplinary action.

Communications:

• Interprets, oversees, and provides the dissemination of specialized information to the public and/or departmental personnel regarding the policies and procedures of the department to which assigned.

• Responds to public inquiries which may include but is not limited to media, attorneys, defendants, and citizens. Some inquiries may require problem-solving and utilizing independent judgment after conducting the appropriate research and analysis.

Research:

• Researching and maintaining a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of applicable laws, criminal and civil procedures, policies, and procedures to effectively communicate with staff, colleagues, elected officials, department heads, judges, attorneys, pro-se litigants, assistant district attorneys, law enforcement and other professionals to resolve problems, answer questions, and modify policy and procedures.

• Research, collects, and generates activity and statutory reports that show performance measures.

Budget Management:

• Reconciles bank statements and prepares spreadsheets monthly for the office account.

• Monitors receipts and expenditures to ensure that they conform to approved budget, including reviewing and preparing the annual budget.

• Oversees daily deposits and the monthly audit.

Other:

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Requirements

Required Supporting Documents:

• Cover Letter

• Updated Resume

Education and Experience:

• Associates or Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

• Minimum four (4) years of experience in relevant positions (in the private or public sectors) with increasing responsibility.

• Minimum two (2) years of administrative or supervisory experience.

• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in government or project management.

• Significant experience managing multiple projects and deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with the justice system.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations specific to the area of responsibility.

• Knowledge of court procedures.

• Knowledge of the principles of management and supervision.

• Knowledge of the principles of accounting and bookkeeping.

• Knowledge of business English, spelling, and arithmetic.

• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment, including computers.

• Exceptional communications skills -- verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation with a keen sense of effective messaging.

• Advanced in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Share Point).

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to create and maintain complex files and written documents.

Other Qualifications:

• Can-do attitude and resourcefulness.

• Exceptional project management skills to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously and ability to create strong, positive working relationships.

• Holds self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and remain calm under pressure and public scrutiny while managing stressful situations.

• Ability to independently assimilate facts and draw sound conclusions.

• Ability to work well with the Judge, support staff, and the public.

• Identifies inequitable practices and policies and assists in implementing strategies to ensure equitable outcomes.

• Demonstrates awareness and respect for cross-cultural differences while encouraging a respectful and collaborative work environment that recognizes and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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.

Preferences

• Experience managing budgets or overseeing complex operations.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a similar field.

• Minimum Two (2) years of experience in a courtroom setting.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time

• Monday - Friday | 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

• Weekends if necessary.

• Hours may vary based on the business needs of the department.

Salary:

• $85,000 - $98,000 Annually

• Depends on Qualifications

• Based on 26 Pay Periods

• Plus, benefits

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• This is a sedentary role; which would require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.

• This job operates in a professional office environment.

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.

The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage

• Dental Coverage

• Vision Coverage

• Wellness Plan

• Life Insurance

• Long-term disability

• Employee Assistance Program

• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service

• Accrual rates increase based on years of service

• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday

• Professional development opportunities

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• Healthcare Reimbursement Account

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedule (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

https://benefitsathctx.com/

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree or higher

• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, does your degree have a focus in Business, Finance, Economics, or a similar field?

• Yes

• No

• N/A; Not applicable

03

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.

04

Which of the following best measures your professional experience in relevant positions (in the private or public sectors) with increasing responsibility? Qualifying information must be documented in the Work Experience section of your application.

• Less than one (1) full year

• Between one (1) and two (2) years

• Between two (2) and three (3) years

• Between three (3) and four (4) years

• Four (4) or more years

• N/A; No experience

05

Please provide details about your verifiable experience in relevant positions (in the private or public sectors) with increasing responsibility. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

06

Which of the following best describes your administrative or supervisory experience? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than one (1) full year

• Between one (1) and two (2) years

• Between two (2) and three 3) years

• Between three (3) and four (4) years

• Four (4) or more years

• No Experience

07

Please provide details about your administrative or supervisory experience. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

08

Do you have experience in government or project management?

• Yes

• No

09

Do you have significant experience managing multiple projects and deadlines?

• Yes

• No

10

Which of the following best measures your experience working in a courthouse setting? Qualifying experience must be documented in the Work Experience section of your application.

• Less than one (1) full year

• Between one (1) and two (2) years

• Two (2) or more years

• No courthouse experience

11

Which of the following computer programs do you have significant experience and proficiency using? Select all that apply.

• MS Outlook

• MS Word

• MS Excel

• MS PowerPoint

• MS SharePoint

• Adobe Acrobat

• None of the above

12

Cover letter and updated resume are required along with the application. Did you attach all required documents to this application?

• Yes, all documents are attached

Required Question

Agency Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx