Court Referee

General Purpose The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is seeking candidates with a passion for executing and upholding the law. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of personal integrity, flexibility, and exemplary people skills.

IMPERIAL COUNTY

Imperial County was founded in 1907 and is the youngest of California’s 58 counties. Its current population is approximately 180,580 and encompasses a 4,500 square mile area in the southeast corner of California. The area includes over 400,000 acres of irrigated farmland that is among the most productive agricultural regions in the world. The terrain varies from 235 feet below sea level at the Salton Sea to 4,548 feet at Blue Angel Peak. Imperial County is also the winter home of the United States Navy Blue Angels, the Glamis Sand Dunes, the Imperial Valley Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta, the Holtville Carrot Carnival, and Brawley's Cattle Call Rodeo. The County consists of seven incorporated cities: El Centro, Brawley, Calexico, Imperial, Holtville, Calipatria and Westmorland and is located on the international border with Mexico. Through the three ports of entry, there is travel of over 35 million people and over 250,000 cargo trucks each year. The Valley’s central location and proximity to Mexico make Imperial County an ideal location for industry and business services. Imperial Valley is noted for its sunny climate and almost unbelievable agricultural productivity. The climate is hot and dry, ranging from lows in the mid 30's in January to highs of 110+ in July and August. There are lots of recreation opportunities for its residents and visitors varying from the sand dunes to golf and just across the border, amenities of a large urban city.

About The Court

The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is a unified Superior Court, served by ten judges, one commissioner, and one referee. The Presiding Judge is the Honorable Monica Lepe-Negrete and the Court Executive Officer is Maria Rhinehart. The Court employs approximately 115 staff including full-time, part-time and contract. There are three current courthouses located: 2 in El Centro and 1 in Winterhaven. The Court utilizes a single case management system for all case types and submits data electronically to DMV, DOJ and JBSIS. For additional information about the Court, visit the website at

Examples of Essential Duties

For a complete list of the qualifications and essential duties, please refer to the job description.

Minimum Qualifications; Licenses; Special Requirements

This position requires the incumbent to be an active member in good standing with the California State Bar and admitted to practice law in California for at least 10 years or, on a finding of good cause by the presiding judge, for at least 5 years. Candidates must possess a valid California Driver’s License and ability to maintain insurability under the Court’s vehicle insurance policy.

Additional Information

Each candidate for the position of Court Referee is advised that he or she should not contact any judge of the Court for the purpose of soliciting support for his or her candidacy. Solicitation of support on behalf of any candidate by any other person is also discouraged. Members of the selection committee will seek information from their fellow judges or others regarding the qualifications of candidates at the appropriate stage of the examination procedures.

Required Documentation

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Copy of California State Bar card showing active status.
• Legal writing sample or samples such as a portion or all of an appellate brief, memorandum of points and authorities, opinion letter, article, etc. Sample(s) should not exceed 10 pages.
• Five references including name, address and telephone number.

Notice

Superior Court of California, County of Imperial referees are prohibited from practicing law during their employment.

Pay Practices

This position is paid on a biweekly basis. Medicare is paid at a rate of 1.45% by both, Court and Employee.

Leave Provisions

• Sick leave is accrued at a rate of .0500 per hour worked based on max of 80 hours per pay period. Max amount accrued per pay period is 4 hours per pay period.
• Vacation – You accrue vacation each pay period according to the following accrual schedule. Actual accruals are dependent upon actual hours paid up to 80 hours per pay period. Vacation time is accrued based on years of service.
• Up to 7 years = 18 days per year
• Greater than 7 – 14 years = 20 days per year
• After 14 years = 22 days per year
• Accrual Cap = Upon reaching 240 hours, you will no longer accrue vacation until your balance falls below the accrual cap.
• Employee retains mileage or expense reimbursement only.
• Military Leave provided in accordance with the law.
• Bereavement leave available.

Benefits

• Health Insurance is available at a shared cost. The Court will subsidize a percentage of the medical premium and employee is responsible for the rest. The percentage subsidized by the Court depends on coverage plan chosen. Coverage is also available for registered domestic partners and eligible dependents at employee's expense.
• Vision and Dental Insurance is paid by the Court. Coverage is also available for registered domestic partners and eligible dependents.
• Basic life Insurance of $20,000.00 is paid by the Court. Optional Supplemental Life and Dependent Insurance is available at the employee's expense.
• Long Term Disability Insurance is available at the expense of the employee.
• Worker's Compensation is paid by the Court.
• State Disability Insurance is paid by employee.
• Deferred Compensation (457(b) Plan) is available at the employee's expense.
• Employee Assistance Program is paid by the Court.
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $1,200 per calendar year subject to pre-approval and availability of funds.

Retirement

ICERS – For Employee/Employer contributions rates visit ICERS Employee/Employer Contributions Rate. Rates are X hourly rate X hours worked per pay period (up to 80 hours per pay period).

Holidays

14 paid holidays per year. The Court recognizes the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Lincoln's Birthday
• President's Day
• Cesar Chavez Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Native American Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day