Commissioner



Job Details

Commissioner
Employer

Superior Court of California, County of Ventura

Salary

$196,141.22 Annually

Location

All Ventura County Court Locations, CA

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

2025-0516-0725-ER

Unit

Commissioners

Opening Date

05/16/2025

General Information


THIS IS  A NEW RECRUITMENT.  
APPLICANTS WHO APPLIED IN PAST RECRUITMENTS NEED TO SUBMIT APPLICATION 
THROUGH THIS RECRUITMENT IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED


Subject to the direction of the Presiding Judge, Court Commissioners perform various judicial functions as prescribed by law or conferred by the court. The power and authority of Commissioners is specified in Article VI, Section 22, of the California Constitution, and Code of Civil Procedure Section 259.

Court Commissioners are subordinate judicial officers who serve at the pleasure of the Court and may be assigned to any Court location in the County of Ventura. Commissioners may be required to travel for educational or training purposes or mandatory conferences as related to the assignment.

Court Commissioners are prohibited from the private practice of law. (Govt. Code, § 68082; Cal. Code of Judicial Ethics, Canon 4 G.)

Examples of Duties (With or Without Reasonable Accommodation)

Commissioners may hear matters in the Superior Court including, but not limited to, Family Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Child Support Services, Domestic Violence, Civil Harassment, Traffic, Criminal, Civil and Small Claims.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Acts as a Temporary Judge in Court cases when otherwise qualified and appointed on stipulation of counsel or parties; conducts a daily court calendar; presides over hearings and trials; makes rulings, findings, judgments, and orders.
  • Arraigns defendants; hears reviews and rules on or determines a variety of petitions, motions, and other actions; takes evidence from witnesses; makes or recommends appropriate court orders; accepts pleas and imposes sentences; sets cases for hearings and trials and conducts court and jury trials. 
  • Conducts judicial hearings in family support cases involving Title IV of the Social Security Act, and cases filed by the Department of Child Support Services to establish paternity and other child support related matters; may act as a judge pro tem in such matters; or as a commissioner making findings and recommendations subject to review by a judge of the court.
  • Presides over proceedings involving such matters as criminal and traffic arraignments, unlawful detainer, hearings and trials of infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies.
  • Presides over proceedings in civil and small claims actions.
  • Reviews court files, documents, and related materials to assess cases prior to and following hearings; prepares court documents, records, reports, correspondence, and other written materials pertaining to case findings.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned by the Presiding Judge.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Commissioner must have a knowledge of:
  • General functions and organization of the judicial system, including the various divisions of the Court and the roles and functions of other justice agencies.
  • Statues, regulations, rules, laws, and procedures that govern the legal discipline of the assignment.
  • Principles, practices, methods, and materials of legal research and analysis.
  • Legal terms, procedures, forms, and pleadings.
  • Trial and hearing procedures, California Evidence Code, California Penal Code, California Family Code, California Code of Civil Procedure, California Rules of Court, and the California Code of Judicial Ethics.
Commissioner must have ability to:
  • Handle high-volume assignments and make timely, effective decisions that conform to California law.
  • Issue judgments and orders.
  • Read, understand, and interpret relevant laws, rules, and regulations.
  • Analyze legal information, relate it to the law, and reach a sound conclusion.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Establish priorities and successfully coordinate competing activities.
  • Use relevant computer programs including legal research, support calculation, and word processing software.
  • Use equipment to facilitate remote appearances for court proceedings.
  • Participate in court committees as directed by the presiding judge.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys and other court and county staff.
  • Exhibit appropriate judicial demeanor, including patience, respect for all courtroom participants, impartiality, calmness, objectivity, and attentive listening.
Hiring and Performance Evaluation Criteria:
  • Temperament: Demonstrated character traits of patience, calmness under pressure, open-mindedness, fairness, objectivity, respectfulness, courtesy, sensitivity, freedom from bias, ability to adapt successfully to challenging or difficult situations, honesty, integrity, humility, and empathy.
  • Judgment: Demonstrated ability to: make considered, reasonable and sound decisions; make discerning and sensible conclusions about witness credibility and the weight of evidence; distinguish between reasonable and unreasonable legal arguments; make sensible choices concerning expenditure of time and energy on issues or arguments based upon probability of success and merits.
  • Experience and Skill: Demonstrated depth and breadth of legal experience (e.g., jury trial, court trial, and other adversarial proceedings or public hearing experience; subject matter experience (e.g., criminal, civil, family, juvenile, probate); life experience; professional achievement; professional ability (including advocacy skills); work-flow management capability; creativity; demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
  • Work Ethic: Experience and character traits demonstrating reliability, dependability, and accountability; dedication to one’s work or profession; productivity; efficiency; ability to work effectively with others; professional excellence; disciplined approach to work; professionalism; determination; a desire to learn.
  • Commitment to Public Service/Community: Demonstrated experience serving the community; reasons motivating application to become a judicial officer; aspects of applicant’s background which demonstrate a commitment to public service and the community.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications (With or Without Reasonable Accommodation)

Membership: An active member in good standing with the State Bar of California. 


Experience: A member of 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, a minimum of ten years licensed to practice law in any state with at least 5 years in California.  


Other: Citizenship in the United States and residency in California.


Desirable Experience: Family, Civil and/or Criminal Litigation Experience.


Important Recruitment Information

THIS IS  A NEW RECRUITMENT.  
APPLICANTS WHO APPLIED IN PAST RECRUITMENTS NEED TO SUBMIT APPLICATION 
THROUGH THIS RECRUITMENT IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED


Applications are reviewed as they are received and will remain open until we have received sufficient number of applications from qualified individuals.*  This recruitment will be used to establish a list of eligible applicants that may be used to fill current or future vacancies.   

This recruitment will close at 5:00 p.m. on July 25, 2025.

TO APPLY: Please visit our website at www.ventura.courts.ca.gov.  

Application Materials:  All applicants for the Commissioner position are requested to provide the following materials in support of their candidacy:
  • Cover Letter
  • General Application required for all prospective court employees
  • Responses to Supplemental Questions to Application
  • Resume
  • Writing Sample (10 pages or less)
  • 3 to 5 References with Contact Information
  • Judicial Applicant Waiver and Release
Applications that do not contain all the requested materials are incomplete.

JUDICIAL APPLICANT WAIVER and RELEASE 
All applicants are required to execute the following:

CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION, WAIVER AND RELEASE: 

I hereby acknowledge and agree that my application may be given to the Judges of the Ventura County Superior Court and its Human Resources department (HR). I further acknowledge and agree that for the purpose of aiding the Judges in evaluating my background and qualifications, the foregoing organizations and individuals will be entitled to seek and obtain information and documents concerning me from firms, companies, corporations, law schools and other educational institutions, attorneys, judges and other third parties, including those mentioned in my application. 

I hereby authorize any governmental, licensing or law enforcement agency, including but not limited to the State Bar of California, and major national credit reporting organizations (collectively referred to as "agencies") to release any and all information which those agencies may have about me (whether public, personal or confidential) for the purpose of aiding the Judges of the Ventura Superior Court in evaluating my background and qualifications for appointment as a Court Commissioner. I understand that I will not receive and am not entitled to know the contents of confidential reports received from these agencies and I further understand that these reports are privileged, except that I am entitled to receive a copy of reports from major national credit reporting agencies and the Commission on Judicial Performance.

I hereby release and discharge the Ventura Superior Court, and its Judges, Human Resources department, all agencies, their agents and representatives, and any person furnishing information from any and all liability of every nature and kind arising out of the furnishing, use and inspection of documents, records and other information and the investigation of my background and qualifications, and this release shall be binding.
Your digital signature when you certify and electronically submit your application constitutes your acceptance and affirmation of this CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION, WAIVER AND RELEASE, under the penalty of perjury.

Confidential Information & Solicitation of Support:
All discussions among the judges concerning the appointment of the commissioner, including but not limited to those which occur during the deliberations of the selection committee or during the voting process, are confidential and shall not be disclosed to the applicant or any other persons other than judges.

An applicant for the commissioner position is prohibited from contacting any of the judges of the Court for the purpose of soliciting the support of the judge or any other judge, or to obtain confidential information as defined above from the judge. An applicant may contact no more than three judges for the purpose of requesting that they serve as references in the application. Any applicant willfully violating this prohibition may be excluded from consideration for or appointment to the commissioner position at the discretion of the Presiding Judge.

APPLICATION EVALUATION: All applications received shall be reviewed to determine which applicants meet the minimum job requirements of the Court Commissioner position.  The applications shall be evaluated and ranked according to hiring criteria by the Commissioner Recruitment and Selection Committee.  The Commissioner Recruiting Committee shall be composed of six judges: the Presiding Judge, the Asst. Presiding Judge, Presiding Appellate Judge, plus the supervising judges of each division (criminal, civil, family, and juvenile). The Chair of the Committee shall be the Presiding Judge of the Ventura County Superior Court. 

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE: All applicants are required to complete the Questionnaire for this recruitment. The Supplemental Questionnaire shall be used throughout the recruitment and selection process in determining each applicant's qualifications and eligibility for this position. 

SELECTION INTERVIEW:  The best qualified candidates will be invited to interview with the Ventura County Superior Court judges.  Date:  TBD

Ventura Superior Court offers you an extensive benefits package, including:

  • FLEXIBLE ALLOWANCE FOR BENEFITS: Benefits-eligible employees are provided certain amount that can be used to pay for the premium for Court sponsored benefits. 
  • CalPERS HEALTH PLANS: Available to benefits-eligible Court employees. Click here for information. 
  • VACATION HOURS: Vacation hours are accrued according to policy and guidelines set forth by the Court. 
  • DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM: 401(k) and 457 Deferred Comp programs are available to eligible employees.
  • RETIREMENT: Participation in a Defined Benefit Plan, through VCERA (Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association) for eligible employees. The Court complies with the provisions of the Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), as amended
  • HOLIDAYS: Refer to the Court's website for approved holidays. 
  • LTD, LIFE INSURANCE and AD&D: The Court pays for Long Term Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance for this position. 

This summary is informational only, and cannot modify or affect your benefits in any way, nor shall you accrue any rights because of a statement or omission from this summary. Please refer to Plan Brochures and Memorandum of Agreement or Resolution for details that cover the Research Attorney position.

 

01
Do you meet the following minimum requirements for this position?
Membership: Must be an active member in good standing with the State Bar of California.
Experience: A member of 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.
Other: Citizenship in the United States and residency in California.
  • Yes
  • No
02
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, provide date of admission to the State Bar of California.
03
Provide years of active membership with the State Bar of California.
04
If you are admitted to practice law in other states, please list all that apply (state, date admitted, Bar Number and years of active membership).
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
05
If you are licensed to practice law in other states, are you in good standing in each state where you are licensed to practice law?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Not Applicable - I am not licensed to practice in other state(s).
06
If you answered "No" to the previous question, please provide an explanation.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
07
Are you certified as a specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization or by an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the State Bar of California?
  • Yes
  • No
08
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide area of specialization. You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
09
Are you certified as a legal specialist by other states or organizations?
  • Yes
  • No
10
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide your area of specialization.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
11
Have you ever been disciplined by the State Bar of California or by a bar association or other professional licensing entity in any state?
  • Yes
  • No
12
Have you ever been sanctioned or held in contempt by a court of record?
  • Yes
  • No
13
Do you have a disciplinary action pending against you by the State Bar of California or by a bar association or other professional licensing agency in any state?
  • Yes
  • No
14
Do you have any pending court proceeding for the imposition of sanctions or for contempt?
  • Yes
  • No
15
Have you ever been convicted or pleaded no contest to a felony or misdemeanor proceeding?
  • Yes
  • No
16
Are you a defendant in a pending felony or misdemeanor proceeding?
  • Yes
  • No
17
Have you ever been a party to a legal proceeding?
  • Yes
  • No
18
If you answered "Yes" to questions 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, please provide additional information, including applicable dates, nature of proceedings, and nature of alleged acts or omissions.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
19
As an adult, have you ever been engaged in any occupation, business, or profession other than the practice of law?
  • Yes
  • No
20
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please give details, including applicable dates.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
21
If you are now an officer or director of any business, organization or are otherwise engaged in the management of any business enterprise, please give details, including the name of the business enterprise, the nature of the business, the title of your position, the nature of your duties, and the term of your service. If it is not your intention to resign such positions and give up participation in the management of any of the foregoing enterprises, please so state, giving reasons.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
22
Has a tax lien, or other collection procedure, ever been instituted against you by federal, state or local authorities?
  • Yes
  • No
23
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please explain in detail.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
24
Describe the nature and extent of your involvement in non-legal community organizations or outreach.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
25
Describe any aspects of your personal, business, or professional conduct which may reflect positively, or adversely, on you or which you believe should be disclosed to the Court prior to further consideration of your application.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
26
Why do you want to be a Superior Court Commissioner?
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
27
Why do you believe you are qualified to be a Superior Court Commissioner?
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if the space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
28
Please state the following areas of law that you currently practice (list each subject area of law that occupies at least 10 percent of your time).
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Civil: a) Trial Litigation b) Appellate Litigation
Criminal: a) Trial Litigation b) Appellate Litigation
Family Law:
Juvenile: a) Dependency b) Delinquency/Juvenile
Estate Planning & Probate: a) Transactional b) Litigation
Corporate: a) Corporate/Transactional
29
Do you hold yourself out publicly as representing exclusively one side in any area of litigation practice?
  • Yes
  • No
30
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide the area of practice and side represented.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
31
Do you represent one side in more than 90% of your cases in any area of litigation practice?
  • Yes
  • No
32
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide the area of practice and side represented.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
33
Have you ever served as a temporary judge, arbitrator, mediator, or referee?
  • Yes
  • No
34
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide the names of the court(s) and the location where you served, the approximate number and types of matters heard and the approximate dates of service.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
35
If you have served as a temporary judge, have you ever been removed by a court as temporary judge?
  • Yes
  • No
36
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, describe the circumstances including the court, the date you were removed, and the reasons for your removal.
Type N/A if this is not applicable to you.
You may provide your response in the attachment section of your application if space provided is not enough for your response to this supplemental question.
37
38. Have you previously applied for the position of Judge or Commissioner of the Superior Court, or any other judicial office?
  • Yes
  • No
38
39. If your answer to the previous question is "yes," please provide the following information as to each application:
a. Date of application.
b. Position/office for which you applied.
c. The Court to which you submitted the application.
39
If your answer to Question 38 is "yes," did you attend an interview for the position/office?
  • Yes
  • No
40
(a) Please list the five (5) most significant cases in which you have been the handling or lead attorney in the last ten (10) years, including the case title; case number; court in which the action was filed and litigated to conclusion; a brief description of the nature of the case; manner in which the case was resolved (e.g., settlement, guilty plea, jury verdict, dispositive motion, appeal or writ); the final disposition of the case (e.g. verdict of guilty or not guilty, mistrial, plaintiff’s or defense verdict, affirmance or reversal on appeal); and the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of all co-counsel, opposing counsel and the judicial officers involved in each case.
(b) If, in the last ten (10) years, you have served as a supervising attorney or judicial officer, and not as an attorney representing clients in court, please provide the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of five (5) attorneys and five (5) judicial officers (excluding attorneys and judicial officers identified as your references) who are most familiar with your work during that period.

* Required Question

Employer
Superior Court of California, County of Ventura
Phone
(805) 289-8618
Website
http://www.ventura.courts.ca.gov/careers.html
Address
800 South Victoria Avenue, Hall of Justice
Mailing Address: PO Box 6489
Ventura, California, 93009-6489

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