Summary Statement
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is seeking an experienced and strategic human resource professional to serve as the Deputy State Court Administrator – Human Resources (DSCA-HR). Reporting to the State Court Administrator, this senior-level position serves as the Judicial Branch’s Chief Human Resources Administrator and provides strategic leadership for a statewide workforce operating across multiple courts and non-judicial agencies.
The DSCA-HR is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, centralized human resources strategy that supports the mission, integrity, and operational excellence of the Judicial Branch. This position provides oversight of workforce planning, compensation administration, labor and employee relations, organizational development, recruitment and retention, employee training, policy development, performance management, workplace investigations, and classification and compensation initiatives.
The successful candidate will serve as the principal advisor to Judicial Branch leadership on complex workforce matters, oversee administration of multiple collective bargaining agreements and compensation plans, collaborate with executive leadership on workforce and budget planning, and lead initiatives that promote consistency, accountability, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness throughout the Judicial Branch.
Preferred Qualification
Applicants who do not possess the preferred qualification will still be eligible to compete for this position if job requirements are met.
- Knowledge of Budget Management.
- Knowledge and/or experience supporting training management, training administration, employee development, organizational development, or human resource systems.
Essential Functions
Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here:
- Provide senior leadership for all human resources functions across the Judicial Branch, ensuring alignment with the strategic goals and mission of the organization.
- Develop and implement branchwide workforce planning strategies that support organizational growth, succession planning, operational efficiency, and long-term workforce sustainability.
- Direct the development, implementation, and administration of centralized human resources policies, programs, and procedures in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, collective bargaining agreements, and Judicial Branch policies.
- Oversee compensation administration, including salary analyses, advanced salary recommendations, classification studies, pay plan administration, position management, and compensation equity initiatives.
- Collaborate with leadership and fiscal staff to forecast personnel costs, monitor expenditures, and support budget development.
- Direct organizational reviews of position classifications, reporting structures, and workforce alignment to ensure appropriate classification, operational effectiveness, and compliance with established standards.
- Serve as the Judicial Branch's senior advisor on labor and employee relations, including collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance resolution, and disciplinary matters.
- Provide strategic guidance to leadership regarding complex employee relations issues, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, conflict resolution, and risk management.
- Develop and oversee branch wide learning, leadership development, compliance training, and professional development initiatives that enhance employee performance, engagement, and retention.
- Analyze workforce trends, compensation data, recruitment metrics, and organizational performance to develop recommendations that improve operational effectiveness and support informed decision-making.
- Represent the Chief Justice as the Judicial Branch designee on the State Employee Benefits Committee (SEBC), providing expertise on employee benefits, healthcare initiatives, compensation, and workforce wellness programs.
- Build collaborative partnerships with court administrators, judicial officers, executive leadership, legal counsel, labor organizations, and external agencies to advance workforce initiatives and promote consistent human resources practices throughout the Judicial Branch.
- Supervise Human Resources and Training leadership staff while providing strategic direction and functional guidance to HR professionals throughout the Judicial Branch.
Job Requirements
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
1. Applicants must possess at least one of the following:
- Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
OR
- Four years of professional human resources experience.
OR
- Three years of professional human resources experience AND a Statewide Human Resource Certification or professional human resource certification.
In addition to the above requirement, applicants must meet all of the job requirements below:
2. Three years’ experience in human resource management which includes planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing human resource operations for at least one human resource function.
3. Three years’ experience in developing and evaluating human resource policies and procedures.
4. Two years’ experience in strategic planning such as planning and mapping a path between the present and future usually for three to five years by determining key objectives, how to accomplish the key objectives, what strategies should be used, what activities would contribute to accomplishing the key objectives and developing performance measures to gauge and report progress or success.
5. Two years’ experience in operations management which includes planning, directing, coordinating, controlling and evaluating operations typically through subordinate supervisors.
6. Knowledge of labor relations, including collective bargaining, and grievance resolutions.
Conditions of Hire
- A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.
- Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire
Benefits
Selection Process
The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.
Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.
Accommodations
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.
Individuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling (800) 232-5470 or by visiting delawarerelay.com.
If you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support, you may call (302) 739-5458 or email jobs@delaware.gov.
The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.