Court Referee

Imperial Court Hotel; El Centro (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid holidays

RETIREMENT/DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Job summary

Superior Court of California, County of Imperial seeks a Court Referee with strong ethics and people skills to adjudicate infractions and small claims. The role combines judicial decision making with flexibility to preside over cases as needed.

The successful candidate will be admitted to practice in California with extensive experience, a valid CA driver’s license, and the ability to work under the Presiding Judge's direction. This on-site position offers a structured civil service environment.

Qualifications

• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
• Admitted to practice law in California for at least 10 years, or 5 years with good cause.
• Valid California Driver’s License and ability to maintain insurability under the Court’s vehicle insurance policy.

Responsibilities

• Preside as Court Referee in infractions, small claims and other proceedings.
• Hears, evaluates and decides on offenses, fines, sentences and judgments as prescribed by law.
• Work under general direction of the Presiding Judge and exercise powers/duties of a judge as needed.

Skills

People skills

Integrity

Flexibility

Judicial experience

Education

Active California Bar

Job description

General Purpose

The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is seeking candidates with a passion for executing and upholding the law. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of personal integrity, flexibility, and exemplary people skills. This professional level position performs various judicial and quasi-judicial functions as prescribed by law California Rules of Court, Rule 10.700 et seq or conferred by the Court, making dispositions on cases. The Court Referee has the same jurisdiction and exercises the same powers and duties as the judges of the Court with respect to infractions and small claims. The Court Referee hears, evaluates and makes decisions on infraction offenses, small claims and other judicial proceedings, including the imposition of fines, sentences and the settlement of issues; interprets, enforces and carries out laws including issuing judgments and orders, and acts as a temporary judge and presides over cases as needed and by stipulation of the parties. The percentage of time dedicated to these responsibilities is approximately 80%(Infractions) / 20% (Small Claims). The candidate holds office at the pleasure of the Court and works under general direction of the Presiding Judge.

Imperial County

Imperial County was founded in 1907 and is the youngest of California’s 58 counties. Its current population is approximately 180,580 and encompasses a 4,500 square mile area in the southeast corner of California. The area includes over 400,000 acres of irrigated farmland that is among the most productive agricultural regions in the world. The terrain varies from 235 feet below sea level at the Salton Sea to 4,548 feet at Blue Angel Peak.

Imperial County is also the winter home of the United States Navy Blue Angels, the Glamis Sand Dunes, the Imperial Valley Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta, the Holtville Carrot Carnival, and Brawley's Cattle Call Rodeo. The County consists of seven incorporated cities: El Centro, Brawley, Calexico, Imperial, Holtville, Calipatria and Westmorland and is located on the international border with Mexico. Through the three ports of entry, there is travel of over 35 million people and over 250,000 cargo trucks each year. The Valley’s central location and proximity to Mexico make Imperial County an ideal location for industry and business services.

Imperial Valley is noted for its sunny climate and almost unbelievable agricultural productivity. The climate is hot and dry, ranging from lows in the mid 30's in January to highs of 110+ in July and August. There are lots of recreation opportunities for its residents and visitors varying from the sand dunes to golf and just across the border, amenities of a large urban city.

About The Court

The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is a unified Superior Court, served by ten judges, one commissioner, and one referee. The Presiding Judge is the Honorable Monica Lepe-Negrete and the Court Executive Officer is Maria Rhinehart. The Court employs approximately 115 staff including full-time, part-time and contract. There are three current courthouses located: 2 in El Centro and 1 in Winterhaven. The Court utilizes a single case management system for all case types and submits data electronically to DMV, DOJ and JBSIS. For additional information about the Court, visit the website at www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/.

Examples of Essential Duties

For a complete list of the qualifications and essential duties, please refer to the job description.

Minimum Qualifications; Licenses; Special Requirements

This position requires the incumbent to be an active member in good standing with the California State Bar and admitted to practice law in California for at least 10 years or, on a finding of good cause by the presiding judge, for at least 5 years. Candidates must possess a valid California Driver’s License and ability to maintain insurability under the Court’s vehicle insurance policy.

Additional Information

Soliciting Support For Candidacy

Each candidate for the position of Court Referee is advised that he or she should not contact any judge of the Court for the purpose of soliciting support for his or her candidacy. Solicitation of support on behalf of any candidate by any other person is also discouraged. Members of the selection committee will seek information from their fellow judges or others regarding the qualifications of candidates at the appropriate stage of the examination procedures.

Required Documentation

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Copy of California State Bar card showing active status.
• Legal writing sample or samples such as a portion or all of an appellate brief, memorandum of points and authorities, opinion letter, article, etc. Sample(s) should not exceed 10 pages.
• Five references including name, address and telephone number.

Notice

Superior Court of California, County of Imperial referees are prohibited from practicing law during their employment.

Selection Process

The selection process is confidential. Applications received before the deadline will be evaluated to determine if the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. The Court will only interview the candidates that best meet the needs of the Court. Successful candidates may be asked to return for a second interview. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment live scan clearance. All applicants will be notified by e-mail following application review.

Application Process

Interested candidates must apply online. Applications must include required documentation listed above and complete supplemental questionnaire. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questionnaire.

Status Notification

You will be notified by email during the process of this recruitment through governmentjobs.com. Please check your email spam/junk folders. If your information changes, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com and email [e-mail].

Reasonable Accommodations

Imperial County Superior Court provides reasonable accommodations upon request for applicants with disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 760-336-3530 or [e-mail] if you feel you will need an accommodation for any aspect of the selection process. The Human Resources Department requests that it be advised of special needs at least five days prior so that a reasonable accommodation may be made.

Pay Practices

This position is paid on a biweekly basis. Medicare is paid at a rate of 1.45% by both, Court and Employee.

Leave Provisions

• Sick leave is accrued at a rate of .0500 per hour worked based on max of 80 hours per pay period. Max amount accrued per pay period is 4 hours per pay period.
• Vacation – You accrue vacation each pay period according to the following accrual schedule. Actual accruals are dependent upon actual hours paid up to 80 hours per pay period. Vacation time is accrued based on years of service

Up to 7 years = 18 days per year

Greater than 7 – 14 years = 20 days per year

After 14 years = 22 days per year

Accrual Cap = Upon reaching 240 hours, you will no longer accrue vacation until your balance falls below the accrual cap.

• Employee retains mileage or expense reimbursement only.
• Military Leave provided in accordance with the law.
• Bereavement leave available.

Benefits

• Health Insurance is available at a shared cost. The Court will subsidize a percentage of the medical premium and employee is responsible for the rest. The percentage subsidized by the Court depends on coverage plan chosen. Coverage is also available for registered domestic partners and eligible dependents at employee's expense.
• Vision and Dental Insurance is paid by the Court. Coverage is also available for registered domestic partners and eligible dependents.
• Basic life Insurance of $20,000.00 is paid by the Court. Optional Supplemental Life and Dependent Insurance is available at the employee's expense.
• Long Term Disability Insurance is available at the expense of the employee.
• Worker's Compensation is paid by the Court.
• State Disability Insurance is paid by employee.
• Deferred Compensation (457(b) Plan) is available at the employee's expense.
• Employee Assistance Program is paid by the Court.
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $1,200 per calendar year subject to pre-approval and availability of funds.

Retirement

ICERS – For Employee/Employer contributions rates visit ICERS Employee/Employer Contributions Rate. Rates are X hourly rate X hours worked per pay period (up to 80 hours per pay period).

Holidays

14 paid holidays per year. The Court recognizes the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Lincoln's Birthday
• President's Day
• Farmworker's Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Native American Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day

01

Are you currently a member of the California State Bar in good standing?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you willing to take an oath of allegiance to support and defend the Constitution of the State of California?

• Yes
• No

03

Please list all undergraduate, graduate, and law schools you attended; include the dates you attended, the degrees earned, and your law school GPA. If you graduated with honors from any institution or were a member of a law review, please indicate.

04

Have you ever held public office other than a judicial office, or have you ever been a candidate for such an office? If so, provide the details, including the offices involved, whether elected or appointed, and the dates of your service.