Job Title: Program Director

Type of Job: Full-Time

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants who do not presently work at TMCEC may apply online HERE. Internal applicants may apply by email. Upload your resumé and a cover letter to the attention of Ryan Kellus Turner, Executive Director. The cover letter should describe your interest in the position and include a detailed explanation of how your experience meets the minimum qualifications and prepares you for the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Please, no telephone inquiries. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates selected for interviews may be required to complete an additional application authorizing TMCEC to conduct a background check. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

WORKING AT TMCEC: Each person who works at TMCEC plays an important, different role. Together we create unique and exceptional learning opportunities for judges and court personnel throughout Texas. We are looking for ideal team players who are prepared to make a difference and want to be part of a nationally recognized, one-of-a-kind organization that values collaboration, sustainability, and efficiency. Working together and with others, TMCEC is a tightknit organization of individuals who share a personal commitment to public service and providing education to the largest segment of the Texas judicial system.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Program Director is a judicial branch educator who plays an important part in creating and delivering dynamic and effective education programs for municipal courts. This position has special responsibilities for the professional and continuing education of court personnel (e.g., court clerks, court managers, court administrators).

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Working in partnership with the Texas Court Clerks Association and other entities as project manager for the Clerk Certification Program, clerk certification study guides, and preparation materials;
• Collaborating in the development, management, and implementation of assigned in-person and online educational programs;
• Making presentations, serving as a panelist, and moderating at TMCEC programs;
• Analyzing data to evaluate, plan, and improve programming and content;
• Conducting needs assessments to ensure curriculum designs serve specific target populations;
• Facilitating curriculum development and implementation of curriculum;
• Identifying and proposing potential topics for presentations;
• Developing and organizing agendas and instructional content;
• Recruiting, preparing, developing, and managing faculty;
• Assisting faculty with development of course materials, presentations, and instruction;
• Drafting correspondence and other materials for assigned programs, including seminar and course descriptions, learning objectives, speaker biographies, and applications for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Board of Legal Specialization (BLS);
• Attending and monitoring assigned seminars; · Providing technical support and administrative assistance to municipal courts;
• Monitoring legislative actions, court decisions, judicial disciplinary actions, attorney general opinions, and other periodicals to evaluate the educational needs of judges and court personnel;
• Researching and writing;
• Drafting and updating publications for use by judges and court personnel;
• Editing TMCEC print and online materials;
• Writing and producing instructional media;
• Representing TMCEC at conferences, planning meetings, task forces, forums, affiliate organizations, and associations; and
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Specialized knowledge of court management and court administration;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and deadlines with limited supervision;
• Excellent problem solving and communication skills;
• Ability to travel (extensive in-state travel required);
• Ability to work well with judges, court personnel, faculty, hotel staff, and TMCEC staff;
• Advanced knowledge and proficiency in using Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint);
• Ability to lift boxes up to 20 pounds;
• An associate or bachelor's degree, graduate or professional degree, or successful completion of a certificate program with demonstrated work experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience as a court clerk, court manager, or court administrator;
• Experience in teaching, instructional technology, adult education, technical writing, event planning, project management;
• A fundamental understanding of procedural and substantive criminal law and the operations of Texas criminal courts; and
• A work history reflecting a commitment to public service.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: This position is based in Austin, Texas. It is a full-time position at 40 hours a week. Employment requires passing a comprehensive background check, a valid driver’s license, car insurance (or other proof of financial responsibility), and a reliable mode of transportation.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include employer paid health insurance, employer contribution to a 403(b) plan, and a generous paid leave package (including annual and sick leave). This position is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. The PSLF program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer.

ABOUT TMCEC: The Texas Municipal Courts Education Center (TMCEC) was formed in 1984 by the Texas Municipal Courts Association (TMCA) to provide extensive, professional continuing education and training programs for municipal judges and court personnel. TMCEC is primarily financed by a grant from the Court of Criminal Appeals out of funds appropriated by the Legislature to the Judicial and Court Personnel Training Fund. In 2006, TMCEC was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation exclusively for charitable, literary, and educational purposes of providing: (1) judicial education, technical assistance, and the necessary resource material to assist municipal judges, court support personnel, and city attorneys in obtaining and maintaining professional competence in the fair and impartial administration of criminal justice; and (2) information to the public about the Texas judicial system and laws relating to public safety and quality of life in Texas communities. Sponsoring more than 50 events and providing professional and law-related education to more than 5,000 people annually, TMCEC is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the United States of America. TMCEC offers mandatory and continuing education for municipal judges and municipal court personnel, including prosecutors, and conducts training in various locations throughout the state and online. TMCEC has an outstanding cadre of faculty members that consists of judges, attorneys, and other professionals from throughout the nation. TMCEC takes pride in the quality and content of its conferences, publications, resources, and general work product. The organization has earned the praise of judges, attorneys, policy makers, and court professionals both nationally and throughout the Lone Star State.