Court Research Supervisor

State of Washington$108K — $142K *
Legal & Accounting
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business, public, judicial administration, political or social science, or allied field.
  • Eight years of responsible experience in policy or program development and/or project management.
  • At least one year in a supervisory or lead role.
  • Master's degree in public administration or related field preferred.
  • Experience with social science research methods preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee daily operations, onboarding, training, and performance management of team.
  • Maintain and track the unit budget and resolve workplace conflicts.
  • Represent the agency to external stakeholders and collaborate with partners.
  • Manage Court Research project deliverables to ensure quality and timeliness.
  • Plan and manage team workload, assign tasks and set performance expectations.
  • Identify funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals for court education programs.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance.
  • Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
  • Participation in the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).
  • Access to a Deferred Compensation Program for supplemental retirement savings.
  • Paid holidays and personal holidays as well as sick leave.
Full Job Description
Salary: $108,228.00 - $142,020.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026=78
Department: Administrative Office of the Courts
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Make a Difference in Washington's Court System - Be Part of Meaningful Change!
The Administrative Office of the Courts is looking for a passionate and driven Court Research Supervisor to join our Center for Court Research team. This is your opportunity to lead important work that directly supports the fairness, effectiveness, and innovation of Washington's courts.
In this role, you will guide a talented team by planning, managing, and overseeing program activities that help shape statewide court research efforts. You'll lead the development and evaluation of program initiatives, ensure high-quality project execution, and help craft policies that strengthen court programs across the state.
Reporting to the Court Research Center Manager, the Court Research Supervisor provides strong program leadership and full supervisory oversight for an assigned team of Court Researchers and other staff. Your work will influence how data, research, and analysis drive improvements in the court system, making a real impact on communities throughout Washington.
If you're ready to lead, collaborate, and help move the court system forward, we'd love to meet you.
Washington Courts Employment Opportunity

Administrative Office of the Courts
Court Research Supervisor

Administrative Services Division
POSITION DETAILS
Job: 2026-78

Status: Regular, Full-Time

Location: Olympia, Washington

Salary: Range 77: $108,228 - $142,020 per year (DOQ)

Opens: August 21, 2026.

Closes: September 7, 2026. AOC reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time but no sooner than seven (7) calendar 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 in the office at least two (2) days per week.

Duties
Many of the key responsibilities for this role include:
  • Oversee daily operations, onboarding, training, performance management, and all supervisory duties, including approving leave, overtime, travel, purchases, and equipment.
  • Maintain and track the unit budget; resolve workplace conflicts; and serve as liaison to HR, Staff Services, IT, and other AOC service sections.
  • Represent the agency to external stakeholders and collaborate with court community partners, division staff, and project teams.
  • Track, manage, and facilitate Court Research project and program deliverables to ensure quality and timely completion.
  • Plan and manage team workload, assign tasks, set expectations, evaluate performance, and communicate needs or concerns to leadership.
  • Identify funding opportunities, prepare grant proposals, oversee budgets, and work with partners to develop court education programs.
  • Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in business, public, or judicial administration, political or social science, or closely allied field;

AND
  • Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in policy or program development and/or project management.


  • One (1) year in a supervisory or lead role and/or managing or directing groups or teams.

A combination of education and experience demonstrating a working knowledge of the functions of the position may be considered in meeting the qualifications baseline.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Master's degree in public administration or closely related social science field.
  • Foundational knowledge of social science research methods.
  • Two (2) years' supervisory experience in either applied Court Administration or applied Public Administration.

THE IDEAL APPLICANT WILL ALSO HAVE SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • Strong leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and maintain collaborative working relationships across teams and stakeholders.
  • Experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods; program and process evaluation; survey design; cleaning, merging, and analyzing large administrative data sets; and translating research findings to general audiences.
  • Ability to conduct rigorous applied analysis of systems, institutions, governance, strategy, and management effectiveness.
  • Ability to work as part of a team of social scientists in applied research.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, including presenting information clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically, assess resources, identify risks, and recommend sound solutions.
  • Proven ability to manage staff, time, and multiple projects simultaneously; set and adjust priorities; and deliver high-quality work with minimal oversight.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications (Teams, Outlook, Word, OneNote, PowerPoint, etc.) and the ability to quickly learn and retain new concepts and skills.
  • Ability to organize and facilitate effective meetings, collaborate with partners, and support policy and planning efforts aligned with organizational goals.
  • Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and accountability in interactions with coworkers, management, and external constituents.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the interaction, mission and objectives of interested groups, boards, committees & the judicial community.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the justice system with specific focus on the Washington State court system; laws, procedures, and practices within appellate courts and courts of limited and general jurisdiction; trends in court administration.

Supplemental Information
For more information about the position, to review the job description, application submission requirements, supplemental questions, inquire about benefits, or to apply for the position CLICK HERE TO APPLY!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • The workweek may fluctuate depending on workload or agency needs.
  • Overnight travel may be required based on business needs.
  • This position is not overtime eligible.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of

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