What are the responsibilities and job description for the Commissioner position at County of San Diego?
Summary
COMMISSIONER
Examination No. 26-022
San Diego Superior Court is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Commissioner. The eligible list of candidates resulting from this recruitment will replace the existing list and may be used to fill current and future Commissioner vacancies as they occur.
Commissioners may be assigned to work at any of the San Diego Superior Court locations: Downtown San Diego; Kearny Mesa; North County (Vista); East County (El Cajon); and South County (Chula Vista).
JOB SUMMARY Under general direction of the Presiding Judge, a Commissioner performs subordinate judicial officer functions authorized by law, including conducting hearings, making findings and issuing orders. The types of cases and/or hearings that may be assigned include arraignments and dispositions, small claims, family law, child support, juvenile law, traffic, and unlawful detainer matters, and other assignments as determined by the Presiding Judge and the needs of the court. Employees in this at-will position serve at the pleasure of the court, are governed by the San Diego Superior Court Personnel Rules, must comply with the judicial education requirements applicable to any assignment in which they serve, and must comply with all applicable ethical obligations, including restrictions on the practice of law and conflicts of interest.
The IDEAL CANDIDATE should have the following: THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF:The California court system; state and local rules of court; legal principles, case precedents, rules of evidence, trial procedures, judicial ethics ,courtroom management, access to justice principles, and procedural fairness. ABILITY TO:
Objectively analyze and interpret legal issues and arguments, weigh evidence, draw inferences, and reach logical and legal conclusions; work under various time constraints and exacting professional standards; exercise appropriate judicial temperament and demeanor; direct and control courtroom proceedings in a decisive, orderly and equitable manner; manage high-volume calendars while maintaining patience, neutrality, and procedural fairness; make clear oral rulings and accurate written orders; use relevant computer programs, including legal research, support calculation and word processing software; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, and other court and county staff.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must be current active members in good standing with the State Bar of California AND admitted to practice law in California for at least ten (10) years.
How To Apply
Qualified individuals must submit an online San Diego Superior Court application. Please visit the court's website at http://www.sdcourt.ca.gov. From the General Info tab, click on the "Employment" link. At the Job Opportunities page, click on the position that you are interested in and then click on the "Apply" button.
Please include the following REQUIRED information and documents in your online application:
FILING DEADLINE
Online applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Paper application forms will not be accepted for this recruitment.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Qualified candidates will be placed on the Commissioner eligible list based on an evaluation of information contained in the online application (including any attachments). Only candidates whose qualifications best meet the needs of the court will be invited to participate in selection interviews.
Placement on the eligible list does NOT guarantee that all candidates will be invited for an interview.
NOTE: Selectees are subject to a background check prior to appointment to a position. Commissioners may not engage in private practice.
The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an implied or expressed contract, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked at any time. The requirements stated represent only the minimum required to file an application. Meeting the listed requirements does not guarantee an applicant will qualify.
COMMISSIONER
Examination No. 26-022
San Diego Superior Court is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Commissioner. The eligible list of candidates resulting from this recruitment will replace the existing list and may be used to fill current and future Commissioner vacancies as they occur.
Commissioners may be assigned to work at any of the San Diego Superior Court locations: Downtown San Diego; Kearny Mesa; North County (Vista); East County (El Cajon); and South County (Chula Vista).
JOB SUMMARY Under general direction of the Presiding Judge, a Commissioner performs subordinate judicial officer functions authorized by law, including conducting hearings, making findings and issuing orders. The types of cases and/or hearings that may be assigned include arraignments and dispositions, small claims, family law, child support, juvenile law, traffic, and unlawful detainer matters, and other assignments as determined by the Presiding Judge and the needs of the court. Employees in this at-will position serve at the pleasure of the court, are governed by the San Diego Superior Court Personnel Rules, must comply with the judicial education requirements applicable to any assignment in which they serve, and must comply with all applicable ethical obligations, including restrictions on the practice of law and conflicts of interest.
The IDEAL CANDIDATE should have the following: THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF:The California court system; state and local rules of court; legal principles, case precedents, rules of evidence, trial procedures, judicial ethics ,courtroom management, access to justice principles, and procedural fairness. ABILITY TO:
Objectively analyze and interpret legal issues and arguments, weigh evidence, draw inferences, and reach logical and legal conclusions; work under various time constraints and exacting professional standards; exercise appropriate judicial temperament and demeanor; direct and control courtroom proceedings in a decisive, orderly and equitable manner; manage high-volume calendars while maintaining patience, neutrality, and procedural fairness; make clear oral rulings and accurate written orders; use relevant computer programs, including legal research, support calculation and word processing software; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, and other court and county staff.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must be current active members in good standing with the State Bar of California AND admitted to practice law in California for at least ten (10) years.
How To Apply
Qualified individuals must submit an online San Diego Superior Court application. Please visit the court's website at http://www.sdcourt.ca.gov. From the General Info tab, click on the "Employment" link. At the Job Opportunities page, click on the position that you are interested in and then click on the "Apply" button.
Please include the following REQUIRED information and documents in your online application:
- List of references (including addresses and contact information) in the "References" section;
- Resumé, attached as a Word or PDF file in the "Attachments" section; AND
- Copy of your current California State Bar card indicating "Active" status, attached as a JPEG or PDF file in the "Attachments" section.
FILING DEADLINE
Online applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Paper application forms will not be accepted for this recruitment.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Qualified candidates will be placed on the Commissioner eligible list based on an evaluation of information contained in the online application (including any attachments). Only candidates whose qualifications best meet the needs of the court will be invited to participate in selection interviews.
Placement on the eligible list does NOT guarantee that all candidates will be invited for an interview.
NOTE: Selectees are subject to a background check prior to appointment to a position. Commissioners may not engage in private practice.
The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an implied or expressed contract, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked at any time. The requirements stated represent only the minimum required to file an application. Meeting the listed requirements does not guarantee an applicant will qualify.