Court Investigator

Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa; Martinez (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Superior Court of Contra Costa County announces an open recruitment for a Court Investigator. The role includes reviewing petitions, interviewing parties, researching histories, and preparing reports for the Probate and Family Law Courts. A valid California driver’s license is required, and regular attendance is essential.

Responsibilities include home visits, field interviews, and coordinating with attorneys and professionals. Final filing deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, October 26, 2026.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in administration of justice, social sciences or related field preferred.
• Two years of relevant professional experience in a legal/judicial, social services or health services environment handling family/children/elderly cases.
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Review conservatorship, guardianship and termination petitions and accountings.
• Interview conservators, conservatees, guardians and others to obtain case information.
• Research criminal history (CLETS), DV history and history with Children and Family Services for ex-parte custody applications.
• Prepare reports for Probate and Family Court and attend hearings as needed.
• Conduct home visits and field interviews.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Interviewing techniques

Criminal history research

Report writing

Verbal communication

Cross-cultural awareness

Accounting basics

Education

High school diploma / GED

Bachelor’s degree (justice, social sciences, psychology or related)

Two years relevant experience

California driver’s license

Job description

Superior Court of California

County of Contra Costa

Announces an open recruitment for:

Court Investigator

$86,559.82 – $110,474.83 annually

Final Filing – 5p.m. Monday, October 26, 2026

The Superior Court of Contra Costa County is conducting an open recruitment to fill a Court Investigator position. An eligibility list will be established as a result of this recruitment and may be used to fill other vacancies in the future.

Court Investigators perform a wide variety of duties including, but not limited to, reviewing conservatorship, guardianship and termination of parental rights petitions and accountings; interviewing conservators, conservatees, guardians, wards and other persons necessary to obtain relevant case information; conferring with attorneys, physicians, teachers, therapists and other parties as deemed appropriate; researching criminal history (CLETS), Domestic Violence history and Children and Family Services history for all ex-parte custody and change of custody applications, and preparing reports summarizing the data; checking references and reviewing criminal history information; reporting child abuse/neglect; writing reports for the Probate and Family Law Courts; attending court hearings and testifying as needed; and conducting special investigations as ordered by the court. Investigators are required to conduct home visits and field interviews.

Individuals appointed to these positions must be able to work well with others, as well as work independently, and must possess good interpersonal and oral communication skills. Regular and punctual attendance is essential.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE should have the following knowledge and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• California codes pertaining to Probate Court matters;
• Court proceedings and legal and medical terminology and documents;
• Interviewing and investigative techniques and effective interpersonal communication skills;
• Cross-cultural issues, problems of the elderly, developmentally disabled and neurologically impaired, and of children’s needs and special interests; and
• General accounting procedures and basic word processing programs.

Ability to:

• Understand and apply relevant California code sections, as well as court rules and procedures;
• Understand complex issues, interpret information from various sources, analyze problems and documents, and make appropriate recommendations;
• Write comprehensive, factually accurate reports using available word processing software;
• Interview a variety of individuals including children, the elderly, and developmentally disabled and/or neurologically impaired persons;
• Plan and organize work to meet deadlines and work well under pressure;
• Function effectively in a variety of work environments including high crime neighborhoods, unsanitary conditions, hospitals, mental facilities and board and care homes; and
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, often in difficult and strained circumstances.

• Possession of a high school diploma, a GED equivalency certificate or a high school proficiency certificate;
• Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in administration of justice, social sciences, or a behavioral science such as psychology or mental health with an emphasis on family and children’s issues, or a closely related field;
• Two (2) years of full-time or its equivalent professional experience in a legal/judicial, social services, or health services environment handling a caseload pertaining to family, children, the elderly and/or mental health issues; and
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation approved by the Court.

Any combination of education and experience that provides the candidate with the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the Court Investigator will be considered.

Highly Desirable Qualifications:

• Bilingual – Ability to speak fluent Spanish.

Depending on the number of applications received, an application evaluation committee may be convened to review and evaluate each candidate’s application package, and those deemed best qualified will be invited to an oral interview. The court reserves the right to make revisions to this process in accordance with Court Personnel Plan and accepted selection practices.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Conditions of Employment

Successful completion of fingerprint and a criminal record background check is required prior to appointment and is a condition of employment.

Because the Court operates in multiple branches, the employee may be required to travel to other court locations, and possession of a valid California driver’s license is therefore required. All employees of the court who operate a vehicle on court business must certify they possess a valid California Driver’s License and required levels of automobile insurance.

Convictions

Felony and misdemeanor convictions MAY BE disqualifying for employment with the court. The court will assess the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has elapsed since the offense was committed, and the nature of the job duties to be performed.

Employment Eligibility

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all persons hired after November 6, 1986, are required to present to the Court, at the time of appointment, original documents which show satisfactory proof of: 1.) identity and 2.) U.S. Citizenship or a legal authorization to work in the United States.

Union Representative

This position is represented by AFSCME Local 512.

Applicants with Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations will be made so applicants with disabilities may participate in the recruitment process. Please advise Superior Court Human Resources of special needs in advance.

The Court is an equal opportunity employer. The Court provides equal employment opportunity at all times and does not discriminate in violation of applicable law.