Maine Judicial Branch
Job Description
Court Communications Manager
GENERAL SUMMARY
The Court Communications Manager is a highly responsible position that serves the Judicial
Branch working independently and in coordination with others to assure the availability of
the highest quality information and online tools for members of the Judicial Branch, the
media and other stakeholders, and the public.
With input and approval of Judicial Branch leadership, the Court Communications
Manager facilitates access by the public, judiciary, and Judicial Branch staff to information
about the state courts through the creation and dissemination of information and serves as
the Judicial Branch “Web Coordinator.”
The Court Communications Manager is responsible for managing and providing strategic
direction for web services, statistical and management information, and Judicial Branch
publication development.
This position is responsible for creating and overseeing the development and analysis of
court management system reports and is responsible for the compilation and analysis of
court statistical data and responding to inquiries for court data and public information.
Supervises the Court Management Analyst, the Legal Publications Specialist, and others as
assigned by the State Court Administrator.
In addition, the Court Communications Manager provides administrative oversight to the
legal research services contracts and budgets; county law library stipends and budgets; and
book budgets.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS *
Web
 Promotes public access to court information through Judicial Branch website services,
other media outlets, and in coordination with the Government and Media Counsel.
 Ensures information is made available to Judicial Branch employees through intranet
services and other tools.
 Coordinates the development of new and updating of existing internet and intranet
content and training of staff serving as internal posters for internet and intranet
information.
Maine Judicial Branch
Job Description
 Oversees upgrades and redesign of internet and intranet, as requested.
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Arranges for and oversees vendors providing web services to the Judicial
Branch, including those servicing the internet and intranet.
Under the direction of the State Court Administrator, assumes responsibility for overall
content of internet and intranet.
Provides graphic design services for web and print materials.
Statistics & Reporting
 Oversees the development of new and revised statistical and management reports,
including fiscal year/calendar year annual summaries, quarterly case aging and
clearance reports, open case reports and other reports as directed.
 Maintains list and provides status reports on pending requests for reporting.
 Catalogues available reports, including parameters, assumptions and applicability of data.
 Coordinates with OIT to provide programming detail.
 Participates in format and improvement of reports, including: user access to summary and
data detail; expansion of report subject matter; consideration of state & national reporting
standards; needs of stakeholders in Maine’s justice system (DAs, law enforcement, the
Bar, advocates, etc.).
 Compiles, organizes and analyzes statistical information.
 Works with Trial Chiefs and Administrative Team to review and approve requests for
reports and to establish report priorities.
 Collaborates with OIT in setting priorities for workflow, specification development for
reports from and redesign of the case management and e-filing systems.
Response to Requests
 Assures compliance with data and information access policies and procedures.
 Receives and catalogues correspondence and requests for information from internal and
external sources, including data requests.
 Coordinates responses to data requests, inquiries made pursuant to the administrative
order on public information and confidentiality, and any Freedom of Access Act (FOAA)
or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
 Develops systems to measure public trust and confidence in the functioning of the Judicial
Branch.
Reports & Publications
 Receives and develops responses to all external requests for publications, statistical
and management information, and Case Management System/court database data.
 Researches, gathers information and creates publications and online resources,
including annual publications and newsletters.
 Oversees the development of legal publications.
Budgets & Contracts
 Prepares Requests for Proposals or Requests for Quotes pursuant to state procurement
standards and Judicial Branch policies.
 Provides administrative oversight to the legal research services contracts and budgets;
county law library stipends and budgets; and book budgets.
Maine Judicial Branch
Job Description
Other
 Reviews news outlets and distributes Judicial Branch related materials to Judicial and
Administrative leadership.
 Attends Judicial Branch events, takes or coordinates the taking of photographs,
maintains the Judicial Branch photo archive, and may arrange for outside photographic
services.
 Serves as the Judicial Branch liaison to InforMe and HelpMeLaw.
 Serves on, staffs, and chairs committees as requested.
 May prepare grant proposals and participate in contract negotiations.
 May assists in the evaluation, selection and purchasing of legal publications, online
legal resources, and database services for all judicial officers and court staff.
 May serve as liaison with the other entities such as State of Maine Chief Information
 Officer, State Archives, and with counterparts in other State Administrative Offices of
the Courts.
The above list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by
employees in this classification. A position may not be assigned all the duties listed, nor do the
listed examples include all the duties that may be assigned.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Performs other duties as required.
Some statewide travel is required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
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Graduation with a four (4) year college degree and at least two (2) years of
progressively responsible experience or 10 years proven experience in webbased communications, user experience programming and government
communications.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE PREFERRED
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Masters Degree in communications, government, information systems, public
administration, public or governmental relations, or related field
Three (3) years of supervisory experience.
Experience with the use of web technology, website management software, and other
applications, such as Dreamweaver, Adobe, Flash, FileMaker Pro, Excel, Picassa,
Cincopa, Hootsuite, Twitter, and CheckDog.
Experience editing and uploading video.
Ability to develop, coordinate and maintain internet and intranet websites.
Website design and management.
Experience with graphic design and layout principles and aesthetic design concepts.
Understanding of Maine State government.
Juris Doctor or equivalent from an ABA accredited law school, helpful.
Maine Judicial Branch
Job Description
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
 Strong writing, communication, interpersonal, and management skills, including
demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally, in writing, and through various
media and channels.
 Understanding of, or capacity to learn, the capabilities of court technology to provide
information to a wide array of users with varying degrees of access.
 Understanding of legal requirements surrounding the release of information.
 Knowledge of the systems by which information is disseminated and the issues
surrounding staffs’ responsibilities in being able to respond to the requests of those
wanting information maintained by the courts.
 Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective and cooperative relationships
with judges, court personnel, governmental officials, vendors, members of the news
media, and the general public.
 Ability to plan and coordinate both long-range and short-term projects.
 Ability to prepare and manage budgets, and approve, monitor, and analyze
expenditures.
 Experience with graphic design and layout principles and aesthetic design concepts.
 Fluency and comfort using various modes of technology and learning new technology
skills.
 Ability to effectively communicate technical issues to colleagues, customers, vendors,
judges, and lawyers.
 Knowledge of functions and responsibilities of the Judicial Branch.
 Proven ability to work positively in a changing system.
 Strong supervisory skills.
 Exhibits leadership skills, including critical thinking and creativity.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS (include but are not limited to:)
Physical and mental ability to perform tasks in an office or courtroom environment
requiring frequent and/or sustained periods of standing, sitting, walking; bending; reaching
above or below desk level. May require ability to lift or move up to 10 pounds. Hearing
ability sufficient to communicate efficiently and effectively with public and court
staff. Vision, dexterity, coordination and cognitive ability sufficient to use telephone,
keyboard, computer and other office systems and equipment efficiently. Cognitive,
intellectual and mental ability to concentrate on details and/or perform more than one
complex task at a time and to handle diverse pressures related to requests and needs of those
using court system services. Cognitive and mental ability to direct and manage personnel
and to work and communicate effectively with supervisors and co-workers.
* External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as
defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job
functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be
determined based on individual assessment.
Salary Information: Grade 18; Salary Range $56,056.00-$72,321.60; starting
salary commensurate with experience; 80 hours bi-weekly/plus generous fringe
benefits.
Maine Judicial Branch
Job Description
This posting will close on August 12, 2016. Cover letter and resume
required. Cover Letter must explain how applicant meets the requirements of the
job.
Only online applications will be
accepted. http://www.courts.maine.gov/jobs/jobs.html
The Judicial Branch is an EEO/AA employer.