District Court Manager of Operations

This is an opportunity to help lead one of Washington State's largest and most innovative courts. Located in Tacoma, Pierce County District Court serves a large and diverse community and is committed to delivering fair, accessible, timely, and effective justice.

The Manager of Operations is a key member of the Court's Administrative Management Team and works directly with the Court Administrator and judicial leadership to shape how court services are delivered. This position combines executive leadership, court operations, strategic planning, program development, and people leadership.

The Manager leads a large and talented team responsible for essential court operations and helps guide programs and services that directly affect thousands of people each year. The position also provides leadership and oversight for the Court's therapeutic court work and other programs designed to improve outcomes for court-involved individuals.

This is an ideal opportunity for a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who enjoys solving complex problems, developing people, improving systems, and helping an organization prepare for the future.

Pierce County District Court is committed to providing fair, accessible, and effective administration of justice while treating every individual with dignity and respect. As an independent and impartial branch of government, the Court plays a vital role in promoting respect for the law, protecting individual rights, and providing timely and equitable resolution of legal matters for the community it serves.

The Court values professionalism, innovation, collaboration, and public service. Employees are part of a mission driven organization that is focused on operational excellence, improving access to justice, and continuously enhancing services for the public. Pierce County District Court fosters a supportive and team oriented environment where employees contribute directly to meaningful work that impacts the community every day.

Pierce County District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction and hears a wide range of cases, including:

• Traffic and non-traffic infractions
• Criminal and criminal-traffic misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors
• Civil matters for damages for injury to individuals or personal property, and contract disputes no greater than $100,000
• Small claims for recovery of money not to exceed $10,000
• Civil protection orders

The successful Manager of Operations will be an experienced leader who can move comfortably between strategy and day-to-day operations.

You will need to build strong relationships with judges, managers, supervisors, employees, justice partners, county departments, state agencies, attorneys, and community organizations. You will be expected to understand complex court operations, identify opportunities for improvement, and translate strategic priorities into practical and sustainable systems.

Success in this role requires sound judgment, adaptability, strong communication, and the ability to lead through change. The Manager must be comfortable making decisions in a complex environment where legal requirements, court rules, operational needs, technology, staffing, public access, and partner relationships frequently intersect.

Equally important is the ability to develop people. The Manager sets expectations, supports supervisors and employees, creates opportunities for professional growth, and helps build a workplace culture centered on service, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

The Manager of Operations has significant responsibility and latitude to shape the work of the Operations Division.

Working directly with the Court Administrator, the Manager helps establish priorities, develop operational strategies, implement organizational change, and ensure Court programs and services remain effective, efficient, and responsive to community needs.

The Manager represents the Court with county and state partners and may participate in committees, work groups, and initiatives that influence court operations beyond Pierce County.

This position also serves as a key organizational leader during major initiatives involving technology, caseflow, program development, policy implementation, and modernization of court services.

The Manager reports directly to the Court Administrator and assumes responsibilities of the Court Administrator when the Administrator is…