Common pleas court is looking to fill court administrator spot

YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Common Pleas Court is advertising for a new court administrator who must juggle courtroom schedules, budgets and more.
The job is vacant because Robert W. Rupeka is now working for The Economic and Community Development Institute. The Columbus-based, nonprofit organization offers financial literacy training, helps first-time home buyers make down payments, extends micro-loans to small businesses and supports rural and agricultural development, among other things.
The institute will open an office in Mahoning County in early 2006, a spokeswoman said, adding that Rupeka will be vice president of the local office.
The court administrator manages the assignment office, which schedules trials and hearings for five county common pleas judges, and oversees financial and operational aspects of the courts.
Rupeka also served on the county's Criminal Justice Working Group, which was formed in response to a consent degree by U.S. District Court Judge David Dowd to make the county jail constitutionally sound in terms of inmate population, staffing and environment.
As a full-time employee, Rupeka was paid $53,040 annually, according to the Mahoning County auditor's office.
Applicants have until Wednesday to submit letters of interest and r & eacute;sum & eacute;s to Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen A. Cronin, who is administrative judge. Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree or more in management or related fields.