Salary: $208,017.89 Annually
Location : Main Courthouse 1100 Van Ness Avenue Fresno, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: FSC00738
Department: Judicial Officer
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 12/21/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Description
The initial submission deadline for applications to be considered is Friday, October 9, 2026.
Tentative Recruitment Activities
Initial Interviews to be held the week of October 26, 2026
Final Selection Interviews to be held the week of November 16, 2026

All application materials must be received in NeoGov to be considered for review. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted. A resume will not be considered in lieu of a completed application.
The Fresno Superior Court has an employment opportunity for the Court Commissioner classification. Court Commissioners perform various judicial functions as prescribed by law or conferred by the Court. Commissioners may be assigned to any court location for any assignment or may be assigned night/weekend Emergency Protective Order and related duties as assigned by the Presiding Judge.

Typical Tasks
1. Act as a temporary judge in Superior Court cases pursuant to stipulation of counsel or parties; conduct a daily court calendar; preside over hearings and trials; make rulings, findings, judgments and orders.
2. Arraign defendants; grant continuances, hear, review and rule on or determine a variety of petitions, motions or other actions; take evidence from concerned parties and other witnesses; make or recommend appropriate court orders; accept pleas and impose sentences; set cases for hearings and trials; and conduct court and jury trials.
3. Conduct 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 for review by a judge of the Superior Court.
4. Perform one or more of the functions of a probate commissioner, including review of pleadings and accountings in probate, guardianship, conservatorship and related matters; approving creditors' claims, ex parte orders and other probate actions; and presiding over probate proceedings as assigned.
5. Preside over proceedings involving such matters as criminal and traffic arraignments, hearings and trials of infractions, misdemeanors and felonies, including day and evening court sessions as assigned.
6. Preside over proceedings in civil and small claims actions.
7. Review court files, documents, and related materials to assess cases prior to and following hearings. Prepare court documents, records, reports, correspondence and other written materials pertaining to case findings.
8. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Presiding Judge.

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

Experience: Admitted to practice law in California for a period of at least ten (10) years prior to appointment, or in any state and California for a combined period of not less than ten (10) years, unless inactive membership due to previously holding the position of judge, referee, or commissioner.

License: Possession of a valid California Class "C" driver's license.

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

Additional Information
Applicants must possess comprehensive knowledge of the judicial system, including but not limited to family, criminal, juvenile and civil law. Applicants must also possess the ability to objectively analyze and interpret legal issues, principles, arguments and control courtroom proceedings in a decisive, orderly and equitable manner. In addition, must be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing in a concise manner and exercise appropriate judicial temperament and demeanor and effectively handle pressure in difficult and unexpected situations.

Background investigations: Convictions, depending on the type, number and date, may be disqualifying. Court employees shall be subject to a modified background investigation and fingerprinting. False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.

Click to view 2026 Benefits at a Glance

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription health benefits:

Choice of Blue Shield (HMO, PPO, HDHP) or Kaiser (HMO, HDHP) health plans effective on your first day of employment. Choice of Delta Dental DPPO or Metlife Dental DHMO plans effective on your first day of employment. Vision coverage through VSP Vision or Kaiser Vision is also available effective on your first day of employment. The Court pays towards employee coverage plus an additional amount per year for family health benefit premiums.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
Medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts available. Set pre-tax dollars aside to pay for eligible medical, dependent care, and qualified parking expenses.

Basic Life/AD&D Insurance:
$50,000 Basic Group Life/AD&D insurance provided by employer.

Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance:
Long Term Disability Insurance (replaces 60% of your earnings to a maximum of $2,666/month after disability period of 90 days) provided by employer.

Short Term Disability (STD) Insurance:
Optional enrollment of STD administered through California State Disability Insurance (SDI).

Retirement:
The Fresno Superior Court participates in the Fresno County Employees Retirement Association (FCERA). Placement in Benefit Tier I or Tier V is contingent upon a candidate's recent employment circumstances. Additionally, FCERA has reciprocity with several California public retirement systems. More information about FCERA can be found at Retirement benefits are integrated with Social Security.

Paid Time Off:
Twenty days of vacation/sick per year initially, with accruals that increase incrementally based on years of service.

Personal Days Off (PDO):
In addition to the PTO above,Court Commissioners receive 26 days of PDO on an annual basis equivalent to the number of paid vacation and PDO days received by Judges. The PDO is front loaded at the start of each calendar year.

Paid Holidays:
The following is a schedule of Court recognized holidays for Court employees:

January 1 - New Year's Day
Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday
Third Monday in February - President's Day
March 31 - Farm Worker's Day
Last Monday in May - Memorial Day

June 19 - Juneteenth
July 4 - Independence Day
First Monday in September - Labor Day

Fourth Friday of September - Native American Day
November 11 - Veteran's Day
Last Thursday in November - Thanksgiving Day
Friday following Thanksgiving
December 25 - Christmas Day

Additional Benefits Available:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Deferred Compensation (457b, 457 Roth)
• Group Universal Life Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement