Superior Court Commissioner - East Kern, Ridgecrest

Summary

Superior Court CommissionerEast Kern, Ridgecrest, CAThis recruitment will close on September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM.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 is 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: Traffic Trial Commissioner, Child Support Commissioner, Family Law Commissioner, Juvenile Referee, Regional Court Commissioner, and Probate Commissioner.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.LOCATION: The position will be assigned full-time to East Kern.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This professional level class performs judicial functions for the Superior Court, assisting the courts in management and disposition of case and calendars, and other duties as assigned, related to the administration of justice, including acting as a temporary judge in certain case types, including criminal, civil, family law, juvenile dependency, juvenile justice, probate, and traffic. 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.SALARY: $7,978.77 biweekly, plus 10% Kern Flex.Essential FunctionsActs as a temporary judge in court cases pursuant to the stipulation of counsel or parties when required; manages daily court calendar, presides over hearings, proceedings and trials; makes rulings, findings, judgements, and orders.Presides over felony, misdemeanor and traffic arraignments and trials, civil and small claims actions, probate proceedings, family law proceedings and juvenile court proceedings.Arraigns defendants; rules on requests for continuance; hears, reviews, and rules on petitions, motions, and other requests for judicial relief; presides over evidentiary hearings; makes findings or recommends appropriate court orders; accepts please 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.Presides over cases and calendars in multi‑divisional (regional courts) and night court on a rotational basis.Minimum QualificationsA 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.Equal Opportunity Employermedical insurance coveragedental insurance coveragevision insurance coverageprescription coveragelife insurancedefined benefit retirement planadditional deferred compensation optionEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)#J-18808-Ljbffr

Job Description

Superior Court CommissionerEast Kern, Ridgecrest, CAThis recruitment will close on September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM.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 is 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: Traffic Trial Commissioner, Child Support Commissioner, Family Law Commissioner, Juvenile Referee, Regional Court Commissioner, and Probate Commissioner.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.LOCATION: The position will be assigned full-time to East Kern.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This professional level class performs judicial functions for the Superior Court, assisting the courts in management and disposition of case and calendars, and other duties as assigned, related to the administration of justice, including acting as a temporary judge in certain case types, including criminal, civil, family law, juvenile dependency, juvenile justice, probate, and traffic. 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.SALARY: $7,978.77 biweekly, plus 10% Kern Flex.Essential FunctionsActs as a temporary judge in court cases pursuant to the stipulation of counsel or parties when required; manages daily court calendar, presides over hearings, proceedings and trials; makes rulings, findings, judgements, and orders.Presides over felony, misdemeanor and traffic arraignments and trials, civil and small claims actions, probate proceedings, family law proceedings and juvenile court proceedings.Arraigns defendants; rules on requests for continuance; hears, reviews, and rules on petitions, motions, and other requests for judicial relief; presides over evidentiary hearings; makes findings or recommends appropriate court orders; accepts please 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.Presides over cases and calendars in multi‑divisional (regional courts) and night court on a rotational basis.Minimum QualificationsA 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.Equal Opportunity Employermedical insurance coveragedental insurance coveragevision insurance coverageprescription coveragelife insurancedefined benefit retirement planadditional deferred compensation optionEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)#J-18808-Ljbffr