SUPERVISING COURT INVESTIGATOR

Salary : $91,776.62 - $117,352.30 Annually
Location : San Bernardino -Family Law 351 N. Arrowhead Ave. San Bernardino, CA 92415, CA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 27-026
Division: Operations Division
Department: Family and Children Services
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
Closing Date: 11/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Teamsters - Supervisory

Description
The San Bernardino Superior Court is seeking an experienced and collaborative Supervising Court Investigator to lead and support a team of Probate Investigators. In this role, you will provide onsite supervision for a hybrid and remote team, oversee daily operations and workflow, mentor staff, and ensure the quality and timeliness of investigations and reports. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with judicial officers, court leadership, and partner agencies.

RECRUITMENT DEADLINE: The Court will accept applications until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied, and this recruitment may close at any time without notice. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early, with priority consideration given to those who submit their materials by November 15, 2026.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questions.
ABOUT THE POSITIONUnder direction, plans, coordinates and supervises the Investigations unit; supervises and participates in the work of employees engaged in civil investigations of conservatorships and guardianships; ensures reports are complete and submitted to the court in a timely manner; may conduct investigations of conservatorships and guardianships, provides recommendations to the court; and performs related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics
Supervising Court Investigator oversees the functions, operations and staff of investigators assigned to the unit. Incumbents are responsible for providing technical guidance and monitoring employee training, preparing performance evaluations and improving employee performance and productivity. Incumbents develop procedures, policies and materials and direct work priorities to improve service. Incumbents are expected to exercise considerable discretion in carrying out responsibilities independently and with a thorough understanding of court policies, procedures and customer service issues.

Employees in this class report to the Family and Children Services Division Manager and provide supervision to Court Investigators and support staff.

Essential Functions

1. Organizes, assigns, schedules, supervises and evaluates the work of assigned unit staff; develops, implements and monitors work plans to achieve assigned unit objectives; participates in developing, implementing and evaluating plans, processes and procedures to achieve established goals and objectives in accordance with court standards; prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports.
2. Interviews and participates in selecting new staff for the assigned unit; approves leave time and timesheets; supervises and evaluates staff performance; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides training, coaching and mentoring for performance improvement; recommends performance recognition when warranted; with management concurrence, implements the progressive discipline process to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with court Personnel Plan policies and labor contract agreements.
3. Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports achieving the Court's mission, objectives and values regarding teamwork, mutual trust and respect; applies best practices and quality assurance processes to assigned areas of responsibility; enforces the maintenance of safe working conditions and ensures safe work practices are followed by staff.
4. Reviews incoming cases and gets clarification and/or correction of minute orders as needed; monitors workflow and assigns cases to ensure high-quality, efficient and timely investigations and recommendation reports; provides professional review of recommendation reports; coordinates, collects and compiles statistical workload reports.
5. Conducts individual meetings or group case conferences, reviews and discusses cases with staff; provides professional guidance, assistance, direction, support and encouragement to ensure proper resolution of investigations; participates in high-profile or complex cases, including conducting field investigations, as required.
6. Reviews and approves investigations and reports prepared by Court Investigators to ensure compliance with the law and court policies.
7. Confers with manager and judges regarding a variety of issues; develops, recommends, implements and revises work programs, plans, processes and procedures to achieve unit goals and objectives consistent with established statutory, rule and policy requirements and court service quality expectations; plans methods and activities to meet work objectives; develops solutions to resolve staff or operating problems; develops procedure manuals; ensures operating policies and procedures meet needs of the unit; creates forms to be used by unit to improve service and productivity.
8. Interprets policies and procedures to employees through case conferences, staff meetings, bulletins, instructions, procedures and other means; informs staff of procedural changes pertaining to new legislation or changes in probate law or professional standards.
9. Reviews and resolves complex work unit issues, complaints or problems that may require research and compiling information.
10. Acts as a liaison to Judicial Assistants, Department of Children and Family Services, Adult Protective Services, attorney's, public guardian, regional centers, other courts, county and state agencies.
11. Serves on court-wide committees; performs special projects as assigned.
12. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a degree in a science, a social science, a behavioral science, liberal arts or nursing, and four (4) years of experience performing casework or investigations in a legal, financial, law enforcement or social services setting. Two (2) years as a court investigator in a Superior Court is highly desirable. A master's degree and experience working with the elderly or developmentally disabled are preferred.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• Continuing education requirements must be met annually pursuant to criteria outlined in California Rule of Court 10,478.
• A valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Court's vehicle insurance program.

Knowledge of:

• Codes, rules, policies, procedures and legal terminology applicable to probate court operations and courtroom support functions;
• Effective investigative and interview methods and techniques;
• Issues of the elderly and mentally disabled;
• Social issues such as child abuse, domestic violence, drug abuse and elder abuse;
• Roles of other agencies in probate proceedings, including Department of Children and Family Services, Adult Protective Services, Regional Centers and Office of the Public Guardian.
• Medical and psychological terminology, conditions and treatments;
• Basic practices and procedures of budgeting and purchasing;
• Procedures and techniques for analyzing and improving court work processes to enhance efficiency and productivity;
• General functions and organization of the judicial system, including various divisions of the Court and the rules and functions of other legal and law enforcement agencies;
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to areas of assigned responsibility, including California Probate Code, other California codes pertaining to probate, conservatorship and guardianship matters;
• Professional practices and regulations relating to dispute investigation and resolution;
• Principles and practices of customer service and business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation;
• Principles and practices of effective supervision;
• Court Personnel Plan policies and labor contract provisions.

Ability to:

• Plan, supervise, assign, review and evaluate the work of subordinate employees engaged in conservatorship and guardianship investigations; coordinate work with other units;
• Set priorities and allocate staff and other resources to meet court operational needs;
• Ensure the unit conforms to all professional, statutory, rule and procedural requirements;
• Interview and communicate effectively with a variety of individuals including the elderly, developmentally disabled, children, and others;
• Obtain, read, understand, interpret and analyze a wide variety of financial, legal and medical reports and documents;
• Define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and develop sound, independent conclusions and recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations, rules and policies;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply a wide variety of specialized information including laws, codes, ordinances, rules, policies, forms and legal terms;
• Represent the court effectively in dealings with other employees, state and county employees, vendors, court appointees and the public;
• Present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively;
• Maintain and ensure the integrity of sensitive and confidential information;
• Operate a computer and use standard business software and a variety of complex computer software programs and databases related to area of assignment;
• Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Physical Characteristics
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds unaided.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel between court districts and other locations as needed to support field investigations and business operations.
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; observes and interprets people and situations; learns and applies new information and skills; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with the public.

Work Environment
The employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet to moderate.

BENEFITS SUMMARY
SUPERVISORY BENEFIT GROUP

The San Bernardino Superior Court offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked. A summary of benefits is provided below.
Health and Welfare Benefits

MEDICAL: The Court offers a variety of comprehensive health plan options to fit individual employee needs. The Court contributes up to $250.00 in benefit plan dollars each pay period to help full-time employees pay for health premiums. In addition, the health plan subsidy the court contributes toward the employee cost is 59% to 63% based on plan selection and level of coverage.
DENTAL: The dental subsidy is equivalent to 100% of the employee only DPPO coverage plan (but not less than twenty-three dollars and two cents {$23.02} per pay period.)
VISION: Court-paid plan for employees. No co-pay/deductible for eye exams; frames and standard lenses or contact lenses (in lieu of standard lenses) every twelve (12) months.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY: Court-paid benefit that provides partial income replacement in the event that an employee is unable to work due to a non-work related disability.
LIFE INSURANCE: Court-paid basic life insurance benefit of $50,000. Additional supplemental life and AD&D insurance benefits may be purchased voluntarily.
MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT: Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that helps participating employees lower their taxable income. Under this plan, employees elect to set aside pre-tax money each pay period to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses for themselves and their eligible dependents that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan.
DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PLAN: This is a type of Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that helps participating eligible employees lower their taxable income. Under this plan, employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.
Leave Allowances

VACATION: After