Position Description
The Superior Court of California, County of Butte
Is Now Accepting Applications For
Probate Court Investigator
- Application Deadline: December 3, 2025 - 11:59 PM**
About The Community
Butte County Superior Court is located in beautiful Northern California, where the valley floor meets the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains, approximately 1.5 hours north of Sacramento. At over 1,600 square miles and with a population of approximately 225,000, Butte County is full of natural beauty and provides endless recreational opportunities. It is home to one of the largest municipal parks in the country, Bidwell Park, which boasts over 3,600 acres of hiking and mountain bike trails, swimming holes, picnic areas, golf and disc golf courses, and more! Outdoor adventures also await in places like Lake Oroville, Feather Falls, Table Mountain, and Lassen and Plumas National Forests which border the county to the east. In the county’s urban center of Chico, you’ll find a vibrant downtown, art, culture, unique restaurants, music, and weekly farmers’ markets. Right in the center of it all is the CSU, Chico campus, which provides a stunning backdrop and a variety of events and activities throughout the year.
About The Court
Butte County Superior Court is a unified superior court operating two facilities, one courthouse in Chico, and another courthouse in the county seat of Oroville. All legal, operational, and administrative functions of the court are governed by the Presiding Judge and the Court Executive Officer. The court has thirteen judicial officers, or eleven judges and two commissioners, and approximately 135 support staff. Despite its size, Butte is recognized throughout the state as a leader in many court collaborations, including self-help services, case management system consortiums, our highly acclaimed and model civic outreach program, and numerous multi-court employee education events. Butte County is home to a community with diverse needs, and the court continually adapts to provide effective and reliable access to justice.
The Position
This classification conducts investigations relating to probate matters before the Court, prepares reports, makes recommendations to the Court, and performs related duties as assigned.
Essential Job Functions
The following duties are typical of those performed by the incumbent in this classification. However, other duties may also be assigned.
- Conducts investigations relating primarily to Family and Probate matters, including but not limited to custody/visitation, guardianships, step-parent adoptions, conservatorships, trust and estate matters.
- Conducts home visits and telephone and field interviews.
- Consults with law enforcement, social services, healthcare and educational personnel, attorneys, and other sources.
- Conducts fact verification and record checks, including child abuse reports, residence and medical records, and other reference and background information.
- Examines, and must be familiar with, a variety of Court files, forms and documents
- Prepares detailed written reports and recommendations for review by judicial officers.
- Consults with judicial officers and colleagues regarding implications of information gathered.
- Attends Court proceedings as necessary and remains available to judicial officers.
- Provides formal testimony regarding investigative findings and recommendations when needed.
- Advises parties of the matter before the Court, legal procedures and of his/her rights, including the right to legal representation.
- Conducts annual or biannual audits, as required by law, and periodic case and financial reviews
- May mediate disputes between parties in some cases
- Maintains current knowledge of applicable codes and regulations.
- Attends training sessions, staff meetings, and case consultations and maintains up-to-date information concerning relevant techniques and practices.
- Organizes case load and coordinates the maintenance of case files.
- Provides general information to the public, outside agencies and other concerned parties.
- Serves as a representative of the Court, displaying professionalism, courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Court community and with the public.
- Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Collects and maintains statistical information pertaining to workload.
- Travel is required; may be required to work outside normal business hours.
Knowledge Of
- California Court system, Civil, Probate, Family and Welfare and Institutions Code as well as case and statutory law.
- Principles of interviewing, counseling, investigation, and casework.
- Negotiation theory and reality focused settlement methods; mediation techniques.
- Adult and child development with emphasis on children of divorce; family dynamics and system theory.
- Abuse recognition and reporting responsibilities; crisis intervention procedures.
- Principles of individual and group behavior.
- Medical/psychiatric terms, conditions and disorders.
- Assessment and analytical skills.
- Principles of accounting and auditing.
- Principles and techniques of writing comprehensive, accurate reports which include thorough research, documentation, assessment, evaluation and recommendation components that serve as part of Court proceedings.
- Legal terminology, documents, and procedures pertaining to case evaluation and processing; laws, legal/judicial procedure.
- Court rules, policies and procedures.
- Available community resources.
- Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
- Computers and software applications applicable to investigative work.
Ability To
- Understand and apply statutes, Court rules and case law affecting the Butte County Superior Court.
- Interview individuals by phone or in person.
- Travel when necessary to conduct field investigations.
- Obtain and interpret social data from various sources.
- Determine acceptability of legal documents for filing, examine and determine if the contents of files are consistent with statutory procedural requirements.
- Identify and substantiate need for judicial action through accurate and comprehensive reporting.
- Effectively interview children and adults; skillfully assess normal and dysfunctional interaction of family members; assess the needs of family members for appropriate outside agency assistance or for further investigative process.
- Deal with small group dynamics involving coalition, hidden agendas, transference and counter-transference; provide assertive intervention in delineating common goals of the parties.
- Effectively utilize crisis intervention techniques.
- Negotiate via cognitive and communicative problem solving.
- Establish effective working relationships with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Utilize sound judgement to make decisions.
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
- Work within specified time limits.
- Explain legal rights and Court procedures.
- Work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work.
Experience
Typical Qualifications
Two years professional experience that includes interviewing and investigation work.
Education
Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in psychology, social work or other behavioral or social science, or a closely related field.
Supplemental Information
Additional Information
Criminal History Requirement: Candidates are required to pass a criminal history background check.
License Requirement: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required or the ability to provide alternate transportation that meets job requirements.
Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification.
Personal mobility to work in various office settings, locations and in confined work spaces; manual dexterity to use computers and standard office equipment; ability to lift and carry items occasionally weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds; pushing objects weighing up to 200 pounds and pulling objects weighing up to 100 pounds; physical ability to sit for extended periods of time; stoop, reach overhead, bend, crawl, climb stairs and occasionally climb ladders to access equipment; vision which can be corrected to a level sufficient to read hand-written, typed and computer generated information and data, as well as computer terminal displays; hearing and speech ability sufficient to enable communication by telephone and in person.
Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of this classification, the following work environment characteristics are representative of the environment an employee will encounter.
Incumbents will perform work inside of buildings, in an office environment and in a controlled environmental facility, with little exposure to outdoor temperatures, dirt, or dust. The working conditions are typically quiet but may be loud at times at some locations and will require working alone or closely with others. The noise level and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy office. This role requires heavy use of a computer or laptop, including keyboard and mouse, and routine use of other standard office equipment.
Travel to visit other branches within the county, or neighboring counties, and travel to attend professional meetings and trainings in and outside of the county may be required on a frequent basis.
Normal court business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Projects, maintenance work, and other position duties which impact court operations may necessitate this position working beyond normal business hours or on the weekend. Alternate work shifts may occur.
Disclaimer: This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an incumbent assigned to this job classification. It is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of incumbents so classified.
Reasonable accommodations may be available to a qualified individual with a disability which will enable them to perform the essential functions of the classification.
Application Process
Please submit a complete online application, including responses to the required supplemental questions, at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/buttecourt. Applications will not be accepted by other means.
This recruitment will remain open until December 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM. The best-qualified candidates will be selected to advance to an interview.
Benefits Contribution
Butte Superior Court is dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of our employees by providing a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:
The Court provides eligible employees with a monthly health insurance contribution ranging from $1,128.34 to $2,908.48, depending on the number of dependents elected. This contribution can be applied towards the purchase of medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. If the total cost of the selected benefits is less than the contribution amount, the employee pays $0 monthly while still receiving full coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Opt Out Cash-in-Lieu
Eligible employees that already have qualifying group coverage (typically through a spouse or through their parents), rather than enrolling in the Court's health insurance, will receive
$440 a month for opting out of coverage.
Health Insurance Plans
The Court offers a wide variety of medical plans including no cost PPO and HMO plans. Additionally, the Court's low-cost dental and vision offerings will help ensure you have a well-rounded health coverage to fit your needs.
Leave Benefits
Holidays: Employees receive 13 paid Court holidays and 1 floating holiday per year
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Vacation Leave: Employees accrue 15 days of vacation per year with an accrual rate of 4.615 hours of paid vacation per bi-weekly pay period. Accrual at full-time is 120 hours per year, with the maximum accrual cap set at two times the annual accrual amount.
Sick Leave: Employees accrue 12 days of paid sick leve per year with an acrrual rate of 3.692 hours of paid sick leave per bi-weekly pay period. Accrual at full-time is 96 hours per year with no cap on sick leave.
Retirement System
Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The benefit formula is determined by CalPERS regulations and is 2% at age 55 for classic members and 2% at age 62 for new members. Employees pay 100% of the employee contribution and the Court pays 100% of the employer contribution.
Supplemental Benefits
Life Insurance: The Court provides a group term life insurance policy of $25,000. Additional coverage for the employee, the employee's spouse, and/or the employee's dependents may be elected at the employee's cost.
Deferred Compensation Plan: The Court makes available a tax-deferred long-term savings plan (457) that employees may elect to make contributions to.
Employee Assistance Program: The Court makes available a
no-cost employee assistance program that offers a wide range of confidential services to employees including but not limited to counseling, legal consultations, financial planning, childcare, adultcare, and more.
Flexible Spending Accounts: The Court makes available a flexible spending account that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket medical and/or dependent care expenses to reduce taxable gross wages.
Salary: The salary range consists of five steps, and advancement between steps may occur annually.
Longevity Pay: The Court adds a 3% pay differential above base salary at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service.
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INSTRUCTIONS: The information you provide in response to this questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the selection process and may also be used in a competitive evaluation of qualifications. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. Statements such as "see application" or "see resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a response. All employers referenced in your responses must be listed on your application. Do you understand these instructions?
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Describe how your knowledge, skills, and or experience make you an ideal candidate for this position.
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Please describe why you are interested in this position.
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Briefly detail your experience conducting investigations and or assessments.
