Clerk of Court

Overview of the Position The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington is seeking a senior level executive to serve as Clerk of Court. The Bankruptcy Judges of the district appoint the Clerk of Court, who has overall management authority and responsibility for the Court’s non-judicial functions. The Clerk holds the highest non-judicial position in the Court. The role works closely with the Chief Judge to ensure that the Court’s administrative and operational needs are met, and the office’s statutory duties are carried out.

The position is based in Seattle, Washington. The Court has offices in Seattle and Tacoma. The role requires some travel, both inside and outside the state of Washington. The clerk’s office currently has 27 staff and provides operational and administrative support to the Court’s three judges and chambers staff. The Court is authorized to fill a judicial vacancy and anticipates a fourth judge to be on board by the fall of 2026.

The position requires a dynamic individual with the management skills and technical expertise to handle complex administrative, operational, budgetary, and information technology challenges quickly and to implement short and long-range strategic planning. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are vital, along with a proven record of leadership and accomplishment, preferably in a court setting.

As the chief executive officer of the Court, the Clerk of Court is responsible for the strategic planning and management of all non-judicial functions and activities of the Court. The Clerk of Court plays an integral role in directing the daily operations of the Clerk’s office.
The Clerk of Court’s duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing the administrative and operational infrastructure necessary to efficiently and effectively support the Court’s judicial officers and achieve the Court’s mission.
• Creating a vision of excellence through strategic planning in an environment of limited resources.
• Maintaining a culture that values human resources and supports the value of providing exceptional customer service.
• Consulting with and making recommendations to the judges regarding Court policies, procedures, and administrative issues.
• Analyzing and implementing statutes, rules and procedures affecting the operations of the Court.
• Overseeing the development and execution of the Court’s budget and implementing long- and short-term budget plans and strategies.
• Working with and serving as liaison to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the Ninth Circuit, the U.S. Trustee, various bar associations, panel and chapter 13 trustees, the General Services Administration, the U.S. District Court, U. S. Marshal’s Office, and other agencies on a variety of matters necessary to Court functions, including information technology, physical and cyber security, case management, space and facilities, and emergency management and disaster recovery activities.
  
  Serves as the Court’s Public Information Officer.
• Directing and overseeing the Court’s financial fiduciary responsibilities regarding all purchasing, contracting, disbursing and accounting functions. The Clerks serves as the certifying financial officer for the Court and has financial responsibility for Court appropriated funds, receipts and collections, and unclaimed funds processing. Ensures proper oversight through the development and implementation of sound internal control procedures.
• Leading a management team whose responsibilities include automation and information technology planning and implementation, human resources management and policy development, and inventory control.
• Managing staff responsible for processing all bankruptcy case management functions including electronic case filing, docketing and quality control, statistical reporting, courtroom support, and maintenance of official records.
• Primary responsibility for space and facilities matters and property management for Court space in the Seattle and Tacoma courthouses and the Vancouver federal building. Serves as a member of the Facility Security Committee for both Seattle and Tacoma…