Superior Court Commissioner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $124,413.12 Annually
Location : Salinas Monterey Marina, CA
Job Type: Part Time
Job Number: 26/2014/07DG
Department: Civil, Court Services, Criminal
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Description
Applications for the Superior Court Commissioner will be reviewed and considered on a competitive basis. This is a part-time (0.6 Salaried / Exempt from overtime) position.
First consideration will be given to applications received on or before Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. After August 16th, applications will be reviewed and considered on a competitive basis weekly, until the position has been filled.
In order to be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit the following documents:
1. Court Application
2. Letter of Interest
3. Resume
4. Responses to the Supplemental Questions
Failure to post all required documents will automatically result in being eliminated from the recruitment.
After a thorough review, those candidates who best exhibit the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities in their application materials will be invited to continue the recruitment process, which may include:
1. On-site Pre-Interview Exercise
2. On-site Panel Interview(s)
This is an at-will position, under the authority of the Judges of the Court, and at the direction of the Presiding Judge. Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Court and not subject to other vested terms of service.
DEFINITION
Under the authority of the Judges of the Superior Court and the direction of the Presiding Judge, the Court Commissioners perform various judicial functions as prescribed by law or conferred by the Court. The power and authority of Court Commissioners is specified in Article VI, Section 22, of the California Constitution, Code of Civil Procedure Section 259 and Government Code Section 71622. As directed by the Presiding Judge or Supervising Judge, the Court Commissioner may be asked to serve as a temporary judge handling a variety of other court matters. Commissioners have the same jurisdiction and exercise the same powers and duties as the judges of the courts with respect to infractions and small claims actions, child support and in other matters pursuant to stipulation of the parties. Court Commissioners are appointed by the majority vote of the judges.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This professional level class performs judicial functions for the courts, assisting the courts in disposing of business connected with the administration of justice, including acting as a temporary judge in certain types of cases. 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, at the stipulation of the parties. A Court Commissioner may preside over any of the following case types: traffic, small claims, domestic violence and civil harassment restraining orders, unlawful detainer actions, and family law and motion calendars. However, Court Commissioners may be assigned to work in any subordinate judicial officer assignment at any court location (including temporary or interim court locations).
This professional level class works independently under general direction of the judges of the court as a temporary judge, in accordance with State law. Incumbents have responsibility for interpreting, enforcing, and carrying out current laws. Actions to be taken and decisions to be made include researching specified decision issues, and issuing judgments, orders.
The Court Commissioner position can be located at any court location within Monterey County, including temporary or interim court locations.
Examples of Duties
Positions in this class may perform any or all of the below listed duties. These should be interpreted as examples of the work and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

1. Acts as a temporary judge in court cases pursuant to the stipulation of counsel or parties; conducts a court calendar; presides over hearings and trials; makes rulings, findings, judgments, and orders in a fair and ethical manner.
2. Exercises the same powers and duties as a judge of the court in assigned cases, with the same jurisdiction.
3. Presides over proceedings as needed in any one or more of the following: civil and small claims actions: criminal and traffic arraignments: hearings and trials of infractions, misdemeanors: probate: family law and juvenile proceedings.
4. 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.

Minimum Qualifications & Examples of Experience and Training
Knowledge of:

1. Judicial system in the State of California;
2. Trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence;
3. Legal principles and precedents as applied to judicial procedures; and
4. California Rules of Court and Codes such as Vehicle, Penal, Evidence, Civil, Civil Procedures and Code of Judicial Conduct;
5. Legal research techniques, including the use of legal reference works, case law and statutory law; and
6. General computer equipment and operation knowledge.

Ability to:

1. Read, understand, objectively examine, interpret and apply a variety of laws, rules and regulations;
2. Exercise appropriate judicial temperament and demeanor in treatment of other judicial officers, litigants, support staff, attorneys and various governmental agencies;
3. Communicate orally and in writing in a concise, effective and professional manner;
4. Analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems;
5. Present statement of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form;
6. Conduct a courtroom in a fair, courteous, decisive, orderly, equitable and efficient manner as to promote respect for judicial process;
7. Meet the education and training requirements established in California Rules of Court, Rules 5.340 and 10.462-10.469 by attending new judicial officer and continuing education programs;
8. Handle a large calendar caseload effectively and efficiently;
9. Use personal computers and operate pertinent software programs.

Education
Possession of a law degree from an accredited law school
Experience
In practice for a period of at least ten (10) years with experience in civil, criminal, family, juvenile, probate and/or law and motion litigation. Exceptions may be made if applicant was an inactive member due to previously holding the position of judge, referee or commissioner.
The Superior Court of California, County of Monterey offers a comprehensive benefits program including:

• Retirement: Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
• Holidays: 14 days per year
• Vacation: Accrues at the rate of 13 days per year. The accrual rate increases after 2, 6, 10, 15, 18, 20 and 25 years of service.
• Medical, Dental & Vision Care: available benefits - medical/dental/vision, prescription drugs and dependent coverage.
• Professional Leave: 1 day per calendar year
• Life Insurance: $50,000 life insurance policy.
• Deferred Compensation: A deferred compensation program is available.
  The above information is a general summary of benefits for this position. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Court Personnel Policies or MOU prevail over this listing.

01
Applicants applying for this position must submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will provide additional information about your background, knowledge, skills and abilities as related to this position. Please be concise and specific with your responses. Completeness, neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling, and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. Only completed applications with the required proof of meeting the position requirements will move forward to the application and supplemental questions screening. Applicants that use AI generated text, chatbots or automated tools to complete the responses are fully responsible for the content submitted. Inaccurate content may disqualify the application. Please mark yes if you have read and understand this information.

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess a law degree from an accredited law school?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you an active member in good standing in the State Bar of California AND have 10 years of membership?

• Yes
• No

04
Please enter your California State Bar number.
05
Applicants with less than ten (10) years membership in the California Bar may request an exemption pursuant to Section 10.701(b) of the California Rules of Court. Are you requesting an exemption pursuant to Section 10.701(b) of the California Rules of Court?

• Yes
• No

06
Please indicate your experience for any of the following litigation types:

• Civil
• Criminal
• Family
• Juvenile
• Probate
• Law and Motion

07
Discuss the personal characteristics/qualities that you feel you possess that will make you a successful commissioner working in a variety of case types.
08
Describe your professional experience sitting as a Mediator, Arbitrator or Temporary Judge. Please provide details of where, when, what case types, and how many cases your experience entails.
09
Please give examples, with supporting explanations, which demonstrate your ability to logically understand, evaluate, and resolve problems or issues in a high volume, fast paced courtroom environment.
Required Question