Job Description
Job ID: 34987
Agency: Unified Judicial System, State Court Administrator's Office
Location: Statewide, preference in Pierre, Sioux Falls, or Rapid City (Please note your location preference on your application)
Salary: $95,317.20 to $122,482.08/annually; depending on experience
Closing date: 03/19/2026
For more information on the Unified Judicial System, please visit http://ujs.sd.gov .
The Unified Judicial System (UJS) is dedicated to providing a fair, impartial, and accessible court system that upholds the rule of law and is worthy of the public's trust and confidence. Our vision is justice for all.
Our employees are our most valuable resource and crucial to accomplishing our mission. We seek talented and motivated individuals to be the face of the court system and help ensure that the Court and all the people that come before it receives the highest level of service. Our dedicated staff work to enhance community safety and ensure victims' rights while treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
The UJS offers a comprehensive benefits package consisting of 11-13 paid holidays every year, extensive sick and vacation leave, paid family leave, military training leave, health and flexible benefits, regular working hours, continuing education opportunities, retirement benefits, a great working environment, and more.
Position Purpose:
The Court Services Administrator provides statewide executive leadership and coordination for the Unified Judicial System's (UJS) adult and juvenile probation services. This position ensures consistency, accountability, and alignment among program managers while supporting the implementation of evidence-based behavioral practices, statutory requirements, and UJS policies. The Administrator works collaboratively with the Deputy State Court Administrator, program staff, and circuit leadership to advance statewide goals, improve operational effectiveness, and support the mission of the Unified Judicial System. This position requires in-state and out-of-state travel based on operational needs and work location. Duties may include:
- Providing strategic direction and oversight to juvenile, adult, and treatment supervision and programming to ensure effective, efficient, and coordinated statewide operations.
- Leading expansion and growth by implementing a cross-collaborative philosophy and building strategic internal and external relationships to drive sustainable organizational change.
- Establishing and promoting cross-divisional collaboration to align program goals, standardize practices, and reduce duplication of services.
- Ensuring fidelity to evidence-based practices, initiatives, and performance standards through ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
- Using evidence-based information to guide data-driven decision-making, develop performance metrics, and identify systemwide trends and improvement opportunities.
- Leading statewide strategic planning initiatives focused on operational efficiency, service expansion, and long-term sustainability.
- Overseeing workforce development efforts, including training coordination, leadership development, and succession planning across programs and divisions.
- Serving as a liaison between UJS leadership and external partners to ensure alignment with policy, funding, and statutory requirements.
- Providing leadership and guidance during change initiatives, including the implementation of new programs.
- Serving as a member of various committees, meetings, and legislative activities to share information and carry out division and UJS goals and objectives.
- Serving as a liaison with State's Attorneys, law enforcement agencies, state agencies, treatment agencies, and other entities and agencies involved in court services goals and initiatives to ensure UJS goals and objectives are met.
- Performing other work as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master's degree in public administration, criminal justice, social work, or a related field; and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in court services, justice system administration, or behavioral health programming, including experience at a supervisory or administrative level; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
Successful completion of a criminal background investigation is required for employment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
- court services operations, probation and supervision practices, specialty courts, and behavioral health programming;
- principles of cross-collaboration and team integration;
- strategic planning and program growth methodologies;
- conflict resolution and organizational dynamics;
- UJS policies and procedures;
- evidence-based practices, and program evaluation, implementation, and performance management.
Ability to:
- work collaboratively with executive, program manager, and circuit-level leadership;
- lead multidisciplinary teams and manage statewide initiatives;
- model and champion a cross-collaborative philosophy;
- supervise staff while driving organizational change;
- lead through ambiguity and guide teams toward a unified, forward looking direction;
- analyze complex data and apply findings to strategic planning and policy development;
- analyze program data and support performance improvement.
Skills in:
- leadership;
- communication, both oral and written;
- coordination;.
- organization and time management.
The State of South Dakota, Unified Judicial System does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The Unified Judicial System as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
You may view our benefits information at https://ujs.sd.gov/media/gbtinrye/come_work_for_us.pdf .
Apply at: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3KW
Unified Judicial System
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: 605.773.4884
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
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