Report

SUPERIOR COURT COMMISSIONER

Salary

$208k

Min Experience

10 years

Location

San Bernardino, California, United States

JobType

full-time

About the job

Info This job is sourced from a job board

Overview

About the role

About the Department

The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, seeks interested candidates for the COMMISSIONER position.

First review of applications and resumes will occur on Friday, May 08, 2026, and may result in the closing of this recruitment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: COMMISSIONER RECRUITMENT BROCHURE

About the Position

The Commissioner position is an at-will position under general direction of the Judge(s) of the Court. This professional level position performs various subordinate judicial functions as prescribed by law (California Rules of Court 10.700(b)) or conferred by the court, including acting as a temporary judge in certain types of cases. 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 courts with respect to the infractions and small claims actions, and in other matters pursuant to stipulation of the parties.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Court Commissioners are distinguished from Judges in that they are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the judges and acts only as a temporary judge, presiding over cases as directed at the stipulation of the parties. The Court Commissioner classification is distinguished from the Hearing Officer classification in that the latter acts as a hearing officer only and does not have the same authority as a judge.

JUDGMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY

This professional level class works independently under general direction of the Judges of the Court as a temporary judge, in accordance with State law. Incumbents have responsibility for interpreting, enforcing, and carrying out current laws. Actions to be taken and decisions to be made include researching specified decision issues and issuing judgments and orders.

Position Duties

Acts as a temporary judge in court cases pursuant to the stipulation of counsel or parties; conducts a daily court calendar; presides over hearings and trials; makes rulings, findings, judgments, and orders in a fair and ethical manner.
Exercises the same powers and duties as a judge of the court in assigned cases, with the same jurisdiction.
Presides over proceedings in one or more of the following: civil and small claims actions; criminal and traffic arraignments; hearings and trials of infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies; probate, family law and juvenile court.
Arraigns defendants; grants continuances; hears, reviews, and rules on a variety of petitions, motions, and other actions; takes evidence from concerned parties and other witnesses; makes or recommends appropriate court orders; accepts pleas and imposes sentences; sets cases for hearing and trial; conducts court and jury trials.
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.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of legal principles and precedents as applied to judicial procedures is required. Candidates must be active members of the State Bar of California in good standing and must have been admitted to practice for a period of at least ten (10) years with experience in civil, criminal, family, juvenile, probate and/or law and motion litigation. Incumbents must be United States citizens and cannot engage inactive practice of law during employment with the court in this capacity.

Ability to present statements of fact and law; communicate clearly and logically in written and oral form; define issues, perform legal research, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and make appropriate findings and recommendations; prepare clear and concise decisions and summaries of factual and legal issues; effectively represent the Court in contracts with the public, attorneys, law enforcement agencies and other government jurisdictions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; must possess a good and balanced temperament, willingness to listen and ability to be decisive and treat all litigants and parties in a fair and appropriate manner.

Other Qualifications

Strength, dexterity, coordination and vision to use a keyboard and video display terminal on a daily basis. Hearing to communicate with the public and court staff. Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; occasional lifting of objects weighing up to twenty-five (25) lbs. such as files, stacks of papers, reference and other materials. Moving from place to place within an office; some reaching for items above and below desk level.

About the company

Manages judicial proceedings and legal cases in San Bernardino.

Skills

legal research

litigation