Court Education Director

Job Responsibilities

The South Carolina Judicial Branch (SCJB) is seeking a highly qualified and motivated Court Education Director to join the SCJB State Court Administration Division.

Under limited supervision, the Court Education Director leads the development, coordination, and execution of comprehensive judicial and staff education programs for the South Carolina Judicial Branch. This role oversees the full spectrum of learning initiatives for trial court judges, summary court judges, clerks of court, court reporters, administrative staff, and other Judicial Branch personnel. The Director ensures all programs are strategically designed, data-informed, and delivered through innovative, accessible methodologies that strengthen judicial excellence, operational consistency, and public trust in the courts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Position

This job bulletin represents general duties for this position and is not intended to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Strategic Leadership and Program Oversight

  • Provide overall leadership, vision, and direction for the Judicial Education Division, ensuring all educational programs align with the Judicial Branch’s strategic goals to promote judicial excellence, access, and efficiency. Develop and execute multi-year education strategies that meet the evolving needs of judges and staff. Maintains calendars and schedules trainings, programs and other activities. Maintains education resource page on the SCJB Intranet. Prepares and distributes communication and marketing materials for education programs.

• Curriculum Development and Instructional Innovation

  • Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive education and training curricula for judges, court reporters, administrative assistants, clerks of court, and other judicial personnel. Integrate adult learning principles, hybrid delivery models, and emerging technologies to strengthen engagement and retention. Applies for and obtains continuing education approval for programs, to include recertification credits.

• Partnership and Stakeholder Collaboration

  • Build and maintain strong partnerships with the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, Charleston School of Law, the South Carolina Bar, SCJB advisory committees, and other boards and commissions. Coordinate collaborative programming, faculty recruitment, and CLE initiatives that promote consistency and professionalism throughout the state judiciary.

• Operational and Resource Management

  • Oversee the planning, logistics, and budgeting of all education programs, including the annual judicial conferences, workshops, institutes, and webinars. Manage staff, contracts, and vendors associated with learning management systems (LMS), course materials, and continuing education resources to ensure quality and fiscal responsibility.

• Data-Driven Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

  • Conduct regular needs assessments and post-program evaluations to measure effectiveness, participant satisfaction, and long-term impact. Use data to guide curriculum updates, identify emerging training gaps, and prepare annual performance and outcomes reports for Court Administration leadership.

• Faculty Development and Knowledge Management

  • Establish a process to recruit, train, and support subject-matter experts from the bench, bar, and academia. Curate and maintain a comprehensive resource library that includes benchbooks, toolkits, video briefings, and continuing education archives.

• Public Education and Outreach Integration

  • Collaborate with the Judicial Affairs and Public Engagement Division to design educational materials and outreach initiatives that enhance public understanding of court processes, promote transparency, and strengthen confidence in the judicial system. Ensure all programs reflect the Judicial Branch’s values of ethics, equity, and professionalism.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in education, public administration, law, criminal justice, organizational development, or a related field.
• Formal training or certification in adult learning theory, instructional design, or curriculum development preferred.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in judicial education, adult education, court administration, government training programs, or a related field.
• Experience managing large-scale training initiatives, conferences, or multi-modal education programs.
• Demonstrated experience working with judges, attorneys, court staff, higher education institutions, legal stakeholders, or public officials.
• Experience supervising staff or leading project teams.
• Experience working with learning management systems (LMS), online training tools, or hybrid delivery platforms.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of the operation, policies and rules of the South Carolina Unified Judicial System.
• Exceptional ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to make effective presentations at educational programs.
• A demonstrated capacity to lead and support departments and collaborative activities. A record of accomplishment and success leading organizational initiatives and educational outreaches. Ability to assign, supervise, and motivate others.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and prioritize work while meeting established deadlines. Ability to coordinate diverse educational programs simultaneously.
• Ability to carry all duties with little to no direct oversight by the State Court Administrator. Accuracy and attention to detail is required.
• Willingness and ability to learn new processes and technologies. Ability to perform all duties with courtesy, accuracy and promptness. Ability to present and maintain a professional and positive attitude towards judicial staff and the general public.
• Must always exercise sound judgment and discretion and be able to work with minimal supervision.
• The incumbent is also expected to make independent decisions and effectively collaborate with his or her supervisor and colleagues to meet Judicial Branch needs, goals, and best practices.
• Must be able to work in an autonomous environment with excellent self-direction, initiative and motivation while using individual discretion in the interpretation and application of Judicial Branch policies, practices, and procedures.
• Incumbent is expected to advise the State Court Administrator of any problems, concerns or recommendations regarding issues.
• Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort usually involving some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, walking, or standing.
• Occasional travel, including overnight, required (in state and/or out of state).
• During an emergency or disaster event, this position is classified as essential personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law and a member of the South Carolina Bar in good standing or a Master's degree in education, public administration, law, criminal justice, organizational development, or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the development and delivery of adult or continuing education, which entails experience with the administrative side of developing and delivering continuing education, including logistics for in-person and online training and the overall planning, development and delivery of adult educational events.

Additional Comments

The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs (Temporary positions have option to enroll).
• 15 days paid annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days paid sick leave per year.
• Option to designate 10 days of earned paid sick leave per year as family sick leave.
• 13 paid state holidays.
• Workers’ Compensation Benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The South Carolina Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, age, or disability.