Court Commissioner - Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

Feb 12

Salary Range

$216,860.80 - $216,860.80

Job Description

The Superior Court of California, County of Alameda is accepting applications for the position of Court Commissioner. Court Commissioners are subordinate judicial officers whose duties are provided by law. (See, e.g., Code of Civil Procedure subsection 259; California Rules of Court, rule 10.700.) Court Commissioners shall comply with the directions of the Presiding Judge and the directions of the Presiding or Supervising Judge of the division to which they are assigned. The Presiding Judge or designated Supervising Judges assign Court Commissioners to perform subordinate judicial officer duties based on the best interest of the Court. Court Commissioner assignments can be located in any court facility and include responsibilities in criminal, juvenile, traffic, family, probate, small claims, civil harassment, unlawful detainer, civil, or other courts and do include regular, after-hours review of requests for emergency protective orders and certain types of warrants and additional orders. Court Commissioner assignments are interchangeable; Court Commissioners may also be assigned to perform the duties of a Temporary Judge.

Court Commissioners must comply with the Code of Judicial Ethics and must maintain the independence of the judiciary and possess the utmost dignity, character and demeanor that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

Any appointment of a Court Commissioner is made effective by an order of the Presiding Judge. Court Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Court and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

The Personnel, Organization, Policies and Rules manual for non-judicial employees of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, does not apply to Court Commissioners. Court Commissioners are required to comply with all provisions of policies, rules, and codes applicable to Court Commissioners and Subordinate Judicial Officers.

Filing Requirements

Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, supplemental questionnaire and three letters of professional reference* by the filing deadline.

*Submit (and/or request that your professional references directly submit) your three letters of professional reference to Glenys Rogers, Human Resources Director, at grogers@alameda.courts.ca.gov.

Step-by-step instructions for application can be accessed through the following link: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/job-aid-applying-commissioner-recruitment.pdf

If you have questions about this recruitment, please contact Glenys Rogers, Human Resources Director, at grogers@alameda.courts.ca.gov.

Supplemental Questionnaire:

All applicants must complete the linked supplemental questionnaire: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/resources/documents/commissioner_sq.pdf

Failure to submit any of the required application materials by the deadline will result in disqualification from the recruitment process. Incomplete or partially submitted applications will not be considered.

Applicants attempting to use personal or political influence to further eligibility will not be considered. This prohibition does not preclude candidates from submitting letters of references from any source, including judicial officers.

Minimum Qualifications

License:

Applicants must have been an active member in good standing of the California State Bar for a period of at least five (5) years prior to appointment, or in any state and California for a combined period of not less than ten (10) years, unless membership was inactive during a prior position of judge, referee or commissioner.

Experience:

Applicants must demonstrate relevant legal experience, intellect, ethics, absence of bias, and demeanor consistent with the applicable policies, rules and codes as determined by the reviewing Judges of the Court and the Presiding Judge.

Other Requirements:

Citizenship in the United States and residency in California.

Note:

After appointment, Court Commissioners cannot engage in the practice of law for compensation or on a pro bono basis.
Court Commissioners cannot accept employment or compensation from any person or entity other than the Court during their employment by the Court.
Court Commissioners may be disciplined by the Presiding Judge, the Executive Committee, the Personnel Committee, or the Commission on Judicial Performance.
Court Commissioners must cooperate in investigations of complaints against them.
Court Commissioners must comply with continuing judicial education policies.

General Information

The position of a Court Commissioner is a full-time position and requires work outside normal business hours. Employment is contingent upon the provision of appropriate identifying documents to certify eligibility to work in the United States. Please be advised that applicants offered a position must be fingerprinted for criminal record check purposes; continued employment is contingent upon information received in the report.

The tentative recruitment and examination schedule will include the screening of application materials in February 2024, initial and finalist interviews in March 2024. A list of successful candidates will be compiled for use in filling vacancies as they arise. The Court, at its discretion, may choose to not fill all vacant Court Commissioner positions.

Benefits include medical and dental insurance for employees and dependents, mandatory retirement plan, sick leave accrual at 1/2 a day per pay period, 4 weeks of vacation per year, 3 floating holidays per calendar year, 7 management leave days per calendar year, 13 holidays per calendar year, life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, optional deferred compensation plan and management benefits (cafeteria plan, educational reimbursement plan, management leave days and supplemental insurance options).