Department Manager

Superior Court San Luis Obispo

$96K — $116K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade
  • 5 years of significant legal clerical experience
  • Progressive administrative experience in a Court environment
  • Proven supervisory and/or lead worker experience is highly desirable
  • Knowledge of Court policies and procedures

Responsibilities

  • Plan, organize, and manage complex Court programs
  • Develop and implement policies for efficient service delivery
  • Supervise work within assigned programs to ensure document processing accuracy
  • Evaluate staff performance and manage work assignments
  • Provide guidance on complex case issues
  • Coordinate with County and State agencies on program services
  • Direct or participate in administrative studies or projects

Benefits

  • Eligibility for Court sponsored retirement, health, vision, and dental programs
  • Life insurance and flexible spending options
  • Deferred compensation and tuition reimbursement for job-related education
  • Employee assistance program
  • Thirteen paid holidays per year and accrual of vacation and sick leave hours
Full Job Description
Salary : $3,692.05 - $4,487.87 Biweekly
Location : San Luis Obispo County, CA
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 09/2026
Department: Civil Operations Department
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Definition/Distinguishing Characteristics
DEFINITION
Under general direction, plans, organizes, and manages one or more complex programs within the San Luis Obispo Superior Court system by providing direction, supervision and training in assigned program area; may be required to assist or perform tasks in the assigned program area; serves as a member of the Court's management/supervisory team.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This class is characterized by program and supervisory responsibility for program planning, development, monitoring and coordination within the Superior Court. Incumbents may be required to perform work within several assigned programs of a difficult and complex nature and may perform routine program tasks when called upon to do so. This class is distinguished from the Court Operations Officer in that the latter is responsible for the overall management of Court Operations which includes Criminal, Civil and Judicial support program components.

Typical Tasks

  • Plans, organizes and manages the activities of one or more complex Court programs in accordance with laws, regulations and Court policies
  • Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure efficient and effective delivery of service to the Court and the public
  • Supervises the work within assigned program(s) to ensure that service is delivered in a timely fashion and that legal document processing is accurate, legally sufficient and maintained properly
  • Evaluates staff work performance and determines method of work assignment
  • Provides advice to staff on issues in the most difficult or complex cases
  • May participate in providing direct service
  • Coordinates with other divisions within the Court and other agencies within the County and State regarding services and programs
  • Collaborates with staff of other programs or representatives of other agencies on service delivery matters
  • May direct or participate in administrative studies or projects
  • May be assigned additional managerial, supervisory and/or administrative responsibilities
  • May perform additional duties as required

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:
  • Policies, regulations and procedures governing assigned programs, operating practices and procedures of Court administration
  • Program staffing
  • Personnel practices and procedures within the Court system
  • Supervision and employee development
  • Court statistics and reports
Ability to:
  • Plan, organize and manage a Court support services program
  • Understand, interpret and explain laws, regulations and policies governing Court assigned program operations
  • Develop and implement operational procedures
  • Identify and analyze administrative problems and implement operational changes
  • Make decisions and independent judgments
  • Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
  • Communicate effectively with people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and temperaments
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
  • Understand program objectives in relation to departmental goals and procedures
  • Secure cooperation and teamwork among support staff
  • Organize and prioritize work assignments
  • Research regulations, procedures and/or reference materials relating to Court administration
  • Project consequences of decisions
  • Determine and evaluate levels of performance
  • Interpret judicial and administrative direction and incorporate it into operation policy and procedure
  • Maintain confidentiality of information
  • Recognize and respect limited authority and responsibility
  • Effectively delegate responsibility and authority to others
  • Plan, coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement policy and administrative decisions

Minimum Qualifications
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade AND five (5) years of significant and directly related legal clerical experience in a Court program such as Civil law, Criminal law, judicial support or administrative support with progressive administrative experience in a Court environment. Proven supervisory and/or lead worker experience is highly desirable.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
  • Strength, dexterity, coordination and vision to use a keyboard and video display terminal on a daily basis
  • Hearing sufficient to communicate effectively in an office, a Courtroom environment, and with the public and Court staff
  • Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper
  • Personal mobility to:
    1. work in various office and Courtroom locations
    2. move objects weighing up to 10 pounds such as files, stacks of papers, reference and other materials
    3. move from place to place within an office
    4. sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time

BENEFITS:
Employees hired to a permanent (regular) position are eligible to participate in Court sponsored retirement, health, vision, and dental programs. Other benefits include life insurance, flexible spending, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement for job related education, and an employee assistance program. Regular employees enjoy thirteen paid holidays per year and accrue vacation and sick leave hours. to view the benefit plan associated with this employment opportunity. Please reference Management Unit 24.

EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS - JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

All applicants must meet the qualification standards and requirements of the positions as stated on the job announcement. At oral interviews, or as otherwise designated, all documents required for employment must be verified. The Superior Court reserves the right to modify the selection/examination process if it is deemed necessary.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
All applicants must possess the personal qualifications generally recognized as essential to become an outstanding public employee, including integrity, initiative, dependability, courtesy, good judgment and ability to work well with others.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
Employees are prohibited from engaging in activities which may be in conflict with the interest of the Superior Court.

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE:
All employees are required to take an oath of allegiance.

FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE:
Applicants who are offered employment must pass a fingerprint background check. Any false statement or omission of material fact may cause forfeiture to employment rights.

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