Mental Health Hearing Officer (Attorney Mediator) - Extra Help

Superior Court, County of Santa Clara; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

The Superior Court of Santa Clara County seeks a Part-time Mental Health Hearing Officer to join as a back‑up to the primary Hearing Officer. Active California State Bar membership is required, with duties centered on scheduled hearings and occasional related business.

The role offers compensation at $310 per Hearing Block, with mileage and parking expenses reimbursed upon receipts. Typical blocks are ~4 hours, with schedule Mondays/Thursdays/Fridays and as needed.

Qualifications

• Active member of the California State Bar.
• Experience as a hearing officer or similar role preferred.
• Ability to manage a limited hearing schedule and coordinate with other part‑time officers.

Responsibilities

• Preside over scheduled hearings as a back‑up to the primary Hearing Officer.
• Process hearings within assigned hearing blocks; attend administrative meetings when required.
• Prepare and issue hearing orders and recommendations as needed.

Job description

The Hearing Officer must be an active member of the California State Bar. This position is responsible for a limited hearing schedule serving in conjunction with other part‑time Hearing Officers as back‑up to the primary Hearing Officer.

COMPENSATION: Part‑time Non-Regular Mental Health Hearing Officer's, shall be compensated for a scheduled "Hearing Block" at the rate of $310 for each assignment. Expenses for mileage and parking in conjunction with hearings and attendance at one administrative meeting a quarter will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts and mileage claim form.

A "Hearing Block" is a block of time required to complete scheduled hearings at one (1) or more facilities. "Hearing Blocks" are typically an average of four (4) hour blocks in either the morning or afternoon during the work week, but can run shorter or possibly longer, depending upon a particular case load for the day. "Hearing Block" activity may also include hearing officer related business such as presentations or training when requested by the Supervising Judge. Initial agreements will be pro‑rated to reflect services through current fiscal year. Extra‑Help, non‑regular position is necessary to provide services due to calendar overlap or when workload demands require additional officers, coverage for vacation, illness, holidays and other Court demands.

• Typical schedule: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and as needed for coverage. Schedule subject to change depending on needs of the Court.

The Welfare and Institutions Code provides for the conduct of certain hearings for persons subject to involuntary treatment in mental health facilities. Section 5250 et. seq. provides for a Certification Review Hearing to determine whether probable cause exists to detain the person for intensive treatment related to mental disorder or impairment by chronic alcoholism. Section 5332 et. seq. provides for 'Capacity Hearings' to determine whether a patient detained for treatment lacks the legal capacity to consent or withhold consent to antipsychotic medications. In Santa Clara County, these hearings are conducted by Mental Health Hearing Officers. The Superior Court is responsible for the selection, compensation, and oversight of the