Associate Director -- Office of Judicial and Legislative Relations

Lead. Influence. Shape Access to Justice for the People of Washington!

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is looking for a visionary and strategic leader to step into the role of Associate Director Office of Judicial and Legislative Relations (OJLR)a position where law governance and leadership converge.

In this pivotal role you dont just interpret legislation you shape it. You speak on behalf ofthe judiciary with state executive branch and legislative branch leadership ensuring that justice isnt just heardits felt. Every decision you make every strategy you craft and every testimony you deliver carries the power to transform Washingtons legal and political landscape.

Youll take charge of critical legislative agendas collaborate with government officials and lead a team of skilled professionals in supporting judicial associations and court management associations all while navigating the complexities of governance with confidence and precision.

If justice policy and influence fuel your ambitionthis is your moment. Own the narrative. Shape the future. The judiciary is waiting.

The AOC is a people-centered service organization focused on its organizational values of Integrity Inclusion Accountability and Teamwork. With over 400 employees a FY 25-27 operating budget of $337.9 million and an expanding book of business the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is looking for a credible creative and compassionate leader to help the Office of Judicial and Legislative Relations navigate the path forward. As the Associate Director Office of Judicial and Legislative Relations you are an organizational leader who reports directly to the State Court Administrator/AOC Director.

Washington Courts Employment Opportunity

Administrative Office of the Courts

Associate Director - Office of Judicial and Legislative Relations

Administrative Services Division

Our Mission:Advance the efficient and effective operation of the Washington Judicial System.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core valuesintegrity inclusion accountability and teamwork.It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures backgrounds and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

POSITION DETAILS

Job #: 2025-43

Status: Regular: Full-Time

Location: Olympia Washington

Salary: Range 01: $161343 - $164820 per year (DOQ)

Opens: July 16 2025

Closes: August 10 2025. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. AOC reserves the rightto close the recruitment at any time but no sooner than seven days after posting.

WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENCY AND TELEWORK INFORMATION

AOC requires employees to reside in Washington State. Any exceptions must be approved. If you are invited to interview and currently reside outside of Washington State seek more information about residency requirements from the AOC hiring manager for this recruitment.

This position requires you to be inthe officeat least three (3) days per week.

Some of the duties you will perform are:

• Responsible for supervisory duties which includes onboarding orientation and training; setting and communicating job requirements managing performance expectations and standards; coordination and implementation of work assignments and project plans; guiding mentoring and motivating staff; taking action on leave requests; approving overtime travel coordinating and managing training purchases and equipment; resolving workplace conflicts; managing work and telework schedules; workforce planning; making recommendations to manager/division director regarding hiring discipline and termination actions; and acting as liaison to other AOC service sections (e.g. HR Staff Services Financial Services) for the unit.
• Coordinates judicial branch legislative agendas and activities including but not limited to drafting legislation preparation and/or delivery of testimony before legislative committees providing information to legislators and legislative staff and communicating the status of legislative activities to judicial branch personnel all in accordance with direction established by judicial branch leadership.
• Prepares written reports and gives oral presentations to large groups both internal and external.
• Provides evaluation and analysis of proposed legislation affecting the Washington Courts to the State Court Administrator and judicial leadership.
• Provides recommendations and strategies to AOC and judicial leadership regarding communications with executive and legislative branches.
• Performs other work as assigned.

• Bachelors degree in business public or judicial administration or closely allied field

• Five (5) years experience in the areas of policy development governmental relations court administration law practice or other closely allied field.

• Five (5) years experience in supervising and managing professional staff.

A combination of relevant education and experience demonstrating a working knowledge of the functions and responsibility of the Associate Director Office of Judicial and Legislative Relations may be considered in meeting the qualification baseline.

THE IDEAL APPLICANT WILL ALSO HAVE SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrates expert level knowledge skills and abilities in the following areas:

• Provide recommendations and counsel to AOC executive management and judicial leadership relative to implementing the legislative strategy and agenda developed by the judicial branch; meet and communicate effectively with numerous individuals both public and private; communicate clearly and persuasively with others orally and in writing; establish and maintain appropriate and effective working relationships.
• Exercise effective leadership competencies in communicating and coordinating time resources and staff to attain the desired results.
• Understand the interaction mission and objectives of interested groups boards committees and the judicial community.
• Develop and maintain the trust and respect of and for the judicial branch.
• Expertly and professionally identify the risks and outcomes of proposed legislation. Develop action steps plans strategies for the purpose of taking critical action to ensure the expected outcome.
• Exercise sound judgment and make timely solid strategic decisions and recommendations consistent with organizational objectives related to legislative activities or issues.
• Acquire and integrate input from others regarding critical actions timelines sequencing and priorities.
• Accurately assess the resources necessary to carry out planned actions and the impact and implication of decisions made regarding resources.

• The workweek may fluctuate depending on workload or agency needs.
• Overnight travel may be required based on business needs.
• This position is notovertime eligible.

The AOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender pregnancy race color national origin ancestry religion creed physical mental or sensory disability (actual or perceived) use of a service animal marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression veteran or military status age HIV or Hepatitis C status or any other basis protected by federal or state law. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process or those needing this announcement in an alternative format please contact the AOC Human Resource Office at or fax or via email to.

The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts does not use the E-Verify system; therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information please visit

In compliance with federal law all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.