Salary: $208,020.80 Annually
Location : San Diego Superior Court, CA
Job Type: Permanent - Full-Time
Job Number: 26-022
Department: Central Commissioners
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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 . 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:

1. List of references (including addresses and contact information) in the "References" section;
2. Resumé, attached as a Word or PDF file in the "Attachments" section; AND
3. Copy of your current California State Bar card indicating "Active" status, attached as a JPEG or PDF file in the "Attachments" section.

New users of the NEOGOV online application system will need to set up a job applicant user account.

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.
CTU - Unclassified

HEALTH INSURANCE:
Cafeteria-style flexible benefits plan, which offers health, dental and vision coverage.

LIFE INSURANCE:
A group rate life insurance program is available.

RETIREMENT:
Participation in the County Employees Retirement System.

VACATION:
New employees in this job class accrue vacation at an initial rate of 17 days per year; pro-rated if part-time.

SICK LEAVE:
Employees in this job class accrue 13 days of sick leave per year; pro-rated if part-time.

HOLIDAYS:
San Diego Superior Court currently observes 14 paid holidays per year, plus employee's birthday; pro-rated if part-time.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
Deferred compensation (401a, 457b, 457 Roth); tuition reimbursement program; suggestion award program; credit union services.
01

Before completing the Supplemental Questionnaire, please be sure to review the job bulletin to become familiar with the qualifications for this position. If you do not meet these qualifications, do not apply.

Please answer the following questions thoroughly and completely. The information you provide may be used to determine your eligibility to continue in the examination process; used to evaluate your education, training and experience; and/or provided for review during the selection process.

Wherever specific information is requested, it must be stated. Statements such as "See Resumé" or "See Application" are not acceptable responses. Sections which are not applicable to your qualifications should be marked "N/A" to indicate that they have not been overlooked.

• Please check the box to confirm that you have read the instructions.

02

Have you been admitted to practice law in California by the State Bar for at least ten (10) years?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you a current active member in good standing with the State Bar of California?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered NO to the question above, please explain:
05

Please provide your California State Bar card number:
06

Have you been disciplined, publicly or privately reproved, suspended, disbarred, placed on probation, warned, counseled, or been required to respond to an inquiry investigation, complaint, or proceeding by the State Bar of California?

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered YES to the question above, please explain:
08

Have you been arrested for, charged with or convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude?

• Yes
• No

09

If you answered YES to the question above, please explain:
10

Please describe the role and responsibilities of a Commissioner. (Please limit your response to 300 words or fewer.)
11

Why do you want to be a Commissioner? What would you seek to contribute to the San Diego Superior Court and the public we serve if appointed? (Please limit your response to 300 words or fewer.)
12

What attributes do you believe are essential to the role and duties of a Commissioner? (Please limit your response to 300 words or fewer.)
13

If you have not done so already, please include the following REQUIRED information and materials in your online application:

(1) List of references (including addresses and contact information) in the "References" section;
(2) Resumé, attached as a Word or PDF file in the "Attachments" section; and
(3) Copy of your current California State Bar card indicating "Active" status, attached as a JPEG or PDF file in the "Attachments" section.

• Please check the box to confirm that you have read the instructions.

14

With respect to your entire career, specify the number of years of experience you have in the practice of the following:

(1) Civil litigation;
(2) Criminal;
(3) Family law (in general);
(4) Family law specific to Title IV-D child support enforcement;
(5) Juvenile justice;
(6) Juvenile dependency;
(7) Traffic or infractions;
(8) Unlawful detainer or housing matters; and;
(9) Self-represented litigant or high-volume calendar experience.

Please number your responses as shown above (1., 2., 3., etc.). Indicate "N/A" for any that you do not have applicable experience.
15

With respect to your entire career, specify the number of cases you have tried to verdict, judgment, or contested evidentiary hearing in courts of record:

(1) As sole counsel;
(2) As associate counsel; and
(3) As lead counsel.

Please number your responses as shown above (1., 2., 3.). Indicate "N/A" for any that you do not have applicable experience.
16

With respect to the number of cases stated above, specify how many were:

(1) Civil;
(2) Criminal;
(3) Juvenile;
(4) Traffic/Infractions;
(5) Unlawful Detainer;
(6) Jury; and
(7) Non-jury.

Please number your responses as shown above (1., 2., 3., 4.). Indicate "N/A" for any that you do not have applicable experience.
17

Provide the citations to all published or unpublished appellate decisions and reported trial-court decisions in which you were counsel of record in the trial or appellate courts.
18

With respect to the past ten (10) years, specify the following:

(1) Percentage of your practice devoted to litigation;
(2) Frequency of court appearances (times per month on average);
(3) Frequency of administrative hearing appearances (times per month on average); and
(4) Frequency of evidentiary hearings, trials, contested motions, or other contested adjudicative proceedings, (stated as times per month on average)

Please number your responses as shown above (1., 2., 3.). Indicate "N/A" for any that you do not have applicable experience.
19

With respect to the past ten (10) years, specify what percentage of your appearances have been in the following:

(1) Federal courts;
(2) State courts;
(3) Administrative agencies; and
(4) Arbitration or other private adjudicative proceedings.

Please number your responses as shown above (1., 2., 3., 4.). Indicate "N/A" for any that you do not have applicable experience.
20

With respect to the past ten (10) years, please list the five (5) most recent cases you have tried to verdict in courts of record, to include the following:

(1) Case name and number;
(2) Type of case;
(3) Date;
(4) Name of the court;
(5) Name of the judicial officer presiding;
(6) Party represented;
(7) Whether you were sole, associate or lead counsel; and
(8) Names, addresses and phone numbers of co-counsel, if applicable.

Please use a separate paragraph for each case, numbering your responses as shown above (1., 2., 3., etc.) within each paragraph. Indicate "N/A" if you did not have any cases tried to verdict within the past ten (10) years.
21

Please describe five (5) significant litigated cases in which you have appeared as counsel (which may include one or more of the cases listed in response to the question above), to include the following:

(1) Case name and number;
(2) Brief description of the case;
(3) Date;
(4) Name of the court;
(5) Name of the judicial officer or arbitrator before whom the case was litigated;
(6) Whether the case was tried;
(7) If the case was tried, whether it was before a judicial officer, jury or arbitrator;
(8) Disposition;
(9) Whether you were sole, associate or lead counsel;
(10) Names, addresses and phone numbers of co-counsel, if applicable; and
(11) Names, addresses and phone numbers of counsel for the other parties.

Please use a separate paragraph for each case, numbering your responses as shown above (1., 2., 3., etc.) within each paragraph.
22

If you lack significant trial experience, describe the experiences or special skills you possess that you believe qualify you for a judicial position including experience with contested hearings, legal analysis, written rulings, high-volume calendars, self-represented litigants, administrative hearings, or other adjudicative proceedings.
23

If you do not currently hold judicial office, have you ever held judicial office, applied with the Governor's office for a judicial appointment or been a candidate for judicial office? If so, identify the courts involved, whether elected or appointed, dates of service, and dates of candidacy.
24

If you previously applied to be a Commissioner, please specify the court(s) to which you applied and the date(s) and whether/when you were interviewed.
Required Question