Director, Collaborative Justice Programs (148C) in San Francisco, CA
The Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (the Court), invites applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as Director, Collaborative Justice Programs, to coordinate the efforts associated with adult, family, and juvenile collaborative court programs. This position requires expertise in the operation of collaborative courts that involve substance use or co-occurring disorders of varying population groups and their service needs. Experience in program and policy development, grant writing, and community networking is essential.
This selection process is being conducted in accordance with San Francisco Superior Court Personnel Rule 4. An eligibility list will not be established.
FINAL FILING DATE: 12:00 PM, August 17, 2026
COMPENSATION: $4,675.78 to $5,683.73 biweekly ($121,570 to $147,777 annually)
The Court offers a generous flexible benefits program which includes a variety of health, dental, life insurance plans, and other benefit options; a contributory retirement plan; paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay; and a deferred compensation savings program.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of Collaborative Justice Programs provides strategic leadership, executive oversight, and administrative direction for the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco's Collaborative Justice Programs and related behavioral health initiatives. The Director is responsible for developing, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining innovative court-based programs that improve public safety, promote equitable access to justice, reduce recidivism, and improve outcomes for individuals with behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, housing instability, and other complex challenges.
The Director oversees a diverse portfolio of collaborative court programs spanning criminal, juvenile, probate, family, and civil divisions and serves as a primary liaison with justice system partners, government agencies, behavioral health providers, community organizations, state agencies, and grant‑making entities. The Director administratively oversees Mental Health Diversion, Prop 36, and provides support to Mental Health Court.
The position requires significant independent judgment, executive‑level decision‑making, policy development, fiscal oversight, systems planning, and collaboration with judicial officers and executive leadership.
Examples of Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The duties listed below are representative but not intended to be all-inclusive.
Strategic Leadership
- Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for all Collaborative Justice Programs and specialty court initiatives.
- Develop long‑term strategic plans that align with Court priorities, Judicial Council initiatives, and statewide justice reform efforts.
- Identify emerging trends in behavioral health, criminal justice, pretrial services, diversion, reentry, veterans’ services, and collaborative justice and implement innovative responses.
- Work with Court Executive Leadership and Judicial Officers regarding program development, policy, operational issues, and system improvement opportunities.
Program Administration
- Direct the planning, implementation, administration, evaluation, and continuous improvement of Collaborative Justice Programs.
- Oversee multiple interdisciplinary programs simultaneously while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, grant requirements, and Court policies.
- Develop policies, procedures, operational protocols, and best practices for collaborative court operations.
- Establish standardized performance metrics and quality improvement initiatives across programs.
Judicial and Interagency Collaboration
- Serve as the principal liaison between the Court and justice system stakeholders, including judicial officers, attorneys, probation, law enforcement, behavioral health services, the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Human Services Agency, community‑based organizations, and state and federal agencies.
- Facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration to resolve complex operational and policy issues.
- Represent the Court on local, regional, statewide, and national committees and advisory groups.
Behavioral Health and Collaborative Justice Leadership
- Lead initiatives involving Mental Health Diversion, Drug Court, Young Adult Court, Veterans Justice Court, Community Justice initiatives, Behavioral Health Court, Mental Health Court, treatment court innovations, alternative sentencing initiatives, reentry programs, pretrial collaborative initiatives, Intensive Supervision Court, CARE Court, and Parole Reentry Court.
- Promote evidence‑based and trauma‑informed practices throughout collaborative court operations.
- Advance equitable access to treatment, recovery supports, housing, employment, and community services.
Grant Development and Fiscal Oversight
- Identify and pursue federal, state, local, and private funding opportunities.
- Direct the preparation of competitive grant applications and administer multiple grant‑funded programs simultaneously.
- Ensure compliance with grant requirements, budgets, reporting obligations, audits, and fiscal monitoring.
- Collaborate with Fiscal Services regarding budgeting, invoicing, procurement, and contract management.
Data, Research, and Performance Management
- Develop performance measurement systems and program evaluation strategies and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to assess program effectiveness. Utilize research and outcome data to guide strategic planning and policy recommendations.
- Prepare executive reports for Judicial Officers, Court leadership, grantors, the Judicial Council, County agencies, and other stakeholders.
Policy Development
- Lead the development and revision of Court policies and procedures governing collaborative justice programs. Recommend policy improvements that enhance efficiency, equity, accountability, and public safety.
- Analyze legislation, regulations, and statewide policy changes affecting Court operations and develop implementation strategies for new statutory requirements and Judicial Council initiatives.
Training and Professional Development
- Develop and deliver interdisciplinary trainings for judicial officers, attorneys, probation, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, and community partners.
- Coordinate educational conferences, webinars, and countywide learning collaboratives.
- Promote best practices through ongoing workforce development and technical assistance.
Supervision
- Supervise professional, administrative, analytical, and support staff and establish performance expectations, provide coaching, conduct evaluations, and foster professional development.
- Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing work environment.
Community and Public Relations
- Represent the Court at public meetings, conferences, legislative briefings, community forums, and statewide initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Court's Communications Office regarding public education and outreach efforts.
- Develop partnerships that strengthen community engagement and improve access to justice.
Other Duties
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Work is performed in an office and courtroom environment but may require local, intra‑ and interstate travel for contact with various social service and governmental agencies; continuous contact with judicial officers, attorneys, litigants, treatment organizations, social service organizations, other staff, and the general public. Some work may be performed remotely.
Physical Requirements
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye‑hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.
Qualifications
Typical qualifications include:
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience administering complex behavioral health, criminal justice, public sector, or collaborative justice programs, including at least two (2) years supervising professional staff.
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Public Policy, Behavioral Sciences, or a closely related field is strongly preferred.
- Master’s degree in social work, Public Administration, Public Policy, Criminal Justice, Behavioral Health, or a related field is strongly preferred.
- Licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), psychologist, attorney, or comparable professional credential is highly desirable.
Desired Knowledge
- Collaborative justice and specialty court models
- Behavioral health systems and treatment, substance use disorder treatment, trauma‑informed care
- Evidence‑based criminal justice practices, California criminal law and court operations
- Pretrial services and risk assessment
- Program evaluation and performance measurement
- Government budgeting and grant administration and public sector procurement and contracting
- Strategic planning and organizational development
- Principles of equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service delivery
Desired Skills and Abilities
- Provide executive‑level leadership across multiple complex programs.
- Develop innovative justice system initiatives.
- Build consensus among diverse stakeholders with competing priorities.
- Lead organizational and systems change.
- Manage multiple grants, budgets, contracts, and funding streams.
- Interpret legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Present complex information clearly to executive leadership, judges, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
- Build strong partnerships across governmental and community organizations.
- Supervise multidisciplinary teams.
- Exercise exceptional judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
- Prepare high‑quality reports, policy documents, grant applications, and public presentations.
- Effectively manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.