Court Commissioner
Court Commissioner
APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 09, 2020, 4:00 p.m.
Do you want to do meaningful work serving the public in an organization committed to providing equal access to justice? The California Courts have been serving the public for over 150 years, and the need for qualified and committed individuals continues to grow.
The mission of the Butte County Superior Court is to create a court environment deserving of community respect by: resolving disputes according to law; ensuring and protecting peoples' rights; taking a leadership role in preserving order in society; and providing exceptional, accessible and fair justice services to all. The Butte Superior Court has courthouses in both Chico and Oroville, and our bench is comprised of eleven judges and two commissioners. We are looking for a Court Commissioner with a strong work ethic and a passion for providing service to our community. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package and a rewarding and challenging career. Don't wait, join our dynamic team! The Court Commissioner is an FLSA exempt, at-will, professional-level classification that serves at the pleasure of the judges of the Superior Court and performs subordinate judicial duties and various judicial functions as prescribed by law or conferred by the Court and assists the Court with the administration of justice, including acting as a temporary judge in certain types of cases. The power and authority of Court Commissioners are specified by statute. Incumbents must be able to work in and travel to both Chico and Oroville. Candidates will be subject to a complete background and reference check, including fingerprinting for criminal convictions through the DOJ and the FBI. All offers of employment are contingent upon submission of documents verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States using E-Verify.
JOB FUNCTIONS: The following duties are typical of those performed by the incumbent in this classification; however, other duties may also be required.
- Acts as a temporary judge in court cases; conducts a daily court calendar; presides over hearings and trials; makes rulings, findings, judgments, and orders.
- Presides over a high volume of proceedings in criminal, traffic, civil and small claims matters.
- Conducts hearings on matters dealing with family support issues, and in criminal, civil, probate, family law (including Orders to Show Cause) and juvenile matters.
- Hears testimony of court witnesses and presents to a judge of the court written findings and recommendations regarding judgments or court orders.
- May hear and determine ex parte motions for orders, alternative writs and writs of habeas corpus.
- May be assigned responsibility for hearing, reporting on and determining uncontested actions and proceedings, as well as setting bail after court hours.
- May be assigned to serve as Juvenile Court Referee and when appointed, may sit as Judge Pro Tempore.
- Performs assignments in one or more Superior Court facilities located in Butte County, which may change daily.
- Arraigns defendants; grants continuances: hears, reviews, and rules on a variety of petitions, motions and other actions; makes or recommends appropriate court orders; accepts pleas and imposes sentences; sets cases for hearing and trial; conducts court and jury trials.
- Reviews court files, documents, and related materials to assess cases prior to and following hearings;
- Prepares court documents, records, reports, correspondence and other written materials pertaining to case findings.
- May administer the Court's Small Claims Judge Pro Tem Program, including training and supervising the program's attorney volunteers.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Legal principles and precedents as applied to judicial procedures;
The judicial system, including but not limited to: criminal, juvenile, family and civil law; codes and statutes;
- California Codes such as Vehicle, Penal, Evidence, Civil, Civil Procedure and Code of Judicial Conduct; and
- California Rules of Court and procedures related to the acceptance of pleas, rulings, sentencing and disposition of criminal cases; court procedures, protocols and calendaring practices.
- Code of Ethics for California Court Employees
- Court methods and practices; legal terminology and document processing.
- Courtroom activities and procedures
- Modern office equipment including computers, fax machines and copiers
- Computer software applications including the Court's case and queue management systems, as well as email, word processing and spreadsheet programs
- Modern office practices such as filing, records maintenance, preparing correspondence and reports
- Basic mathematical computations
- Principles of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
ABILITY TO:
- Objectively analyze and interpret legal issues, principles and arguments;
- Direct and control courtroom proceedings in a decisive, orderly and equitable manner;
- Communicate orally and in writing in a concise and effective manner;
- Work in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful, environment; exercise appropriate judicial temperament and demeanor; effectively handle pressure in difficult and unexpected situations by responding in a calm and rational manner;
- Operate a variety of office equipment including computers
- Work cooperatively and interact tactfully with the public, justice partners, Court employees, judicial officers and with others contacted in the course of work
- Understand, explain, and apply laws, rules, and regulations
- Safeguard sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
- Reason analytically and organize facts; evaluate situations and resolve problems
- Use sound judgment in carrying out responsibilities
- Effectively multi-task and prioritize work to meet deadlines
- Travel between Court facilities when required
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE: Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, and active valid membership in good standing with the State Bar of California for a minimum of ten years. A minimum of ten years' experience in civil, criminal, family, juvenile, probate and/or law and motion litigation.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS: Active member of the California State Bar in good standing. May be required to possess, or obtain by appointment date, a valid California Class C Driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship in the United States. Incumbents cannot engage in active practice of law either for compensation or on a pro bono basis while employed by the Court in this capacity.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those an employee typically encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. However, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Incumbents will perform work inside of buildings, in an office or courtroom environment and in a controlled environmental facility. Incumbents will work alone or closely with others and must be able to communicate verbally with co-workers and other individuals; use fingers on both hands; hear well; and see clearly and up close. Duties may require the incumbent to stand, sit or walk part of the time with minimal bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, or working on irregular surfaces; light physical effort which includes frequent lifting of up to ten (10) pounds and occasional lifting of up to twenty-five (25) pounds or more. A computer is used daily. The noise level is usually quiet to moderate. Incumbents will handle multiple tasks with shifting priorities and with occasional interruptions of planned work activities. There may be exposure to unpleasant contact with angry and upset individuals. There may be irregular work hours including meetings and work outside the normal business day, such as occasional evening and weekend work, as well as occasional overnight travel to attend training, meetings and conferences. SALARY: $7015.80 Bi-Weekly
BENEFITS: CalPERS retirement o New/PEPRA Members: 2% at 62 o Classic Members: 2% at 55 Annual Time Off 12 Holidays plus 1 Floating Holiday o 12 days of Sick Leave o 15 days of Vacation (accrual rate increases with longevity) Longevity pay at 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service Choice of 4 Health Insurance Plans (HMO/PPO) Dental & Vision Insurance $25,000 Basic Life Insurance (paid by the Court) o Additional coverage available for purchase ICMA 457 Deferred Compensation Plan ADP Flexible Spending Section 125 Account (health/dependent care) Employee Assistance Program