Director of Court Improvement Program

Job Duties

The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Director of the Court Improvement Program. Virginia has received grant funding for this program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services since 1995.

The Director serves as the Virginia Judicial System’s leader in the development and implementation of court policies, procedures, and best practices to facilitate adjudication of cases involving juvenile and family law. The Director provides statewide leadership and oversight for Virginia’s Court Improvement Program authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 629h of the Social Security Act. The Program supports the judicial system by evaluating court practices and implementing improvements to promote continuity, timeliness, and quality in child welfare proceedings consistent with Title IV-E requirements. In this role, the Director is responsible for strategic planning, federal grant administration, performance improvement initiatives, and cross-system collaboration designed to enhance the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and engagement of families involved in child dependency cases in Virginia state courts. The Director reports to the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia.  

This position offers a competitive benefits package, which includes vacation and sick leave, 13 paid holidays, health insurance, retirement, life insurance, deferred compensation, and short- and long-term disability. 
 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The Director administers and oversees Virginia’s Court Improvement Program in compliance with applicable federal requirements and manages the federal Court Improvement Program grant, including fiscal oversight and reporting. The Director leads the development and implementation of the statewide CIP strategic plan and establishes measurable goals to improve court performance in child dependency cases. The Director promotes the effective use of available data to inform system improvement efforts, including alignment with the federal Child and Family Services Reviews and associated Program Improvement Plans. 

The Director advances continuous quality improvement initiatives and best practices to strengthen timeliness, required judicial determinations, and permanency outcomes. The Director oversees implementation of standards promulgated by the Judicial Council of Virginia governing guardians ad litem and court-appointed attorneys. The Director collaborates with members of the judiciary, attorneys, the Virginia Department of Social Services, legislators, tribes, and other stakeholders. The Director provides or coordinates responses to legal research inquiries from judges of the juvenile and domestic relations district and circuit courts. The Director supervises CIP staff and manages program operations to ensure effective implementation of program objectives. The Director serves as the judicial system’s liaison to the General Assembly and state bodies on children’s issues and provides education and training to judges, attorneys, and other stakeholders on child dependency law and practice. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Minimum Qualifications

The most competitive candidates will possess:

The successful applicant will be licensed to practice law in Virginia and in good standing with the Virginia State Bar (or be currently eligible for membership) and have 5 years of relevant legal experience; or have a master’s degree in social work or a related field from an accredited college or university and 5 years of relevant experience; and have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to build, maintain, and model effective relationships with the bench, bar, legislature, federal, state, tribal, and local agency representatives, and advocates. Preference will be given to candidates with child welfare, family law or juvenile justice, and/or court administration experience. The successful applicant should have experience managing grants and compliance requirements; demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program leadership, and data-informed continuous quality improvement.

A writing sample is required.
 

Contact Information

Email: Humanresources@VACourts.gov