Superior Court Commissioner - Bakersfield, United States - Superior Court of California, County of Kern

Description

SUPERIOR COURT COMMISSIONER
Kern County - 015

This vacancy resides in Kern County. Kern County Superior Court Commissioners are expected to serve at any of the court locations in Kern County.

$7,775.07 Bi-Weekly, Plus 10% Kern Flex.


DEFINITION:

Under general direction of the Presiding Judge and Judge(s), this professional level position performs various judicial functions as prescribed by law or conferred by the court.

The power and authority of court commissioners are specified by statutes.

Commissioners have the same jurisdiction and exercise the same powers and duties as the judges of the Superior Court with respect to infractions and small claims actions, and in other matters pursuant to stipulation of the parties.

REPRESENTATIVE TITLES:

Probate Commissioner, Traffic Trial Commissioner, Child Support Commissioner, Family Law Commissioner, Juvenile Referee, Regional Court Commissioner, and Pretrial Release Program Commissioner.

LOCATION AND ASSIGNMENT:

This position resides in Kern County and is expected to serve at any of the Court locations in Kern County consistent with the Court's needs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This professional level class performs judicial functions for the Superior Court, assisting the courts in disposing of business connected with the administration of justice, including acting as a temporary judge in certain types of cases, including juvenile dependency and juvenile justice.

It is distinguished from the position of judge in that it is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the judges and acts only as a temporary judge, presiding over cases as directed by the Presiding Judge.

Essential Functions


REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Acts as a temporary judge in court cases pursuant to the stipulation of counsel or parties when required; conducts a daily court calendar; presides over hearings and trials; makes rulings, findings, judgments, and orders.
• Exercises the same powers and duties as a judge of the court in assigned cases, with the same jurisdiction.
• Presides over proceedings in one or more of the following: civil and small claims actions; criminal and traffic arraignments; hearings and trials of infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies; probate, family law and juvenile court.
• Arraigns defendants; grants continuances; hears, reviews, and rules on a variety of petitions, motions, and other requests for judicial relief; takes evidence from concerned parties and witnesses; 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, evidence, legal briefs, and related materials; prepares court findings, orders, rulings, and other written materials pertaining to cases.
• Will be required to hear cases in multi-divisional courts (regional courts) and night court on a rotational basis.

Minimum Qualifications


QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES:
Knowledge of legal principles and precedents as applied to judicial procedures is required.

A qualified candidate must have active membership in the State Bar of California and have been admitted to practice for a period of at least ten years.

Experience in civil, criminal, child support, family, traffic, juvenile, probate, and/or law and motion litigation is recommended.

Commissioners must be United States citizens and cannot engage in the active practice of law during employment with the court in this capacity.

JUDGMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY:

This professional level class works independently under general direction of the judges of the court as a temporary judge in accordance with State law.

Commissioners are responsible for interpreting, applying, and enforcing current laws. Actions to be taken and decisions to be made include researching specified legal issues, and issuing judgments, orders, etc.

Erroneous decisions could result in failure to achieve critical goals, open the court to possible litigation, and seriously affect the lives of parties involved.

Selection Procedures

All applicants are required to submit an online application. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application.

Status Notifications:
You will be notified by email through the site during the process of this recruitment. Some email accounts have been known to place these emails in the spam/junk file. Please check your email folders and/or accept emails ending with and If your email address should change, please update your profile at

We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed during Court holidays.

To learn more about how to create an application, click here.

Equal Opportunity Employer