Assistant Deputy Clerk I, II, III, Deputy Clerk, or Senior Deputy Clerk

Overview

The State of California, Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, located in San Jose, is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Deputy Clerk I, II, III, Deputy Clerk, or Senior Deputy Clerk. The individual selected will be appointed at the level commensurate with his/her qualifications.

Under the supervision of the Assistant Clerk/Executive Officer and Clerk/Executive Officer, this role handles procedural, legal, and support tasks for a Court of Appeal Clerk’s Office, using electronic systems in a professional environment. The Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, offers a team-based environment, work/life balance, career growth and development opportunities, and excellent benefits. The Court offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Have familiarity with appellate procedures in civil, criminal, and juvenile appeals.
• May assist in processing original proceedings.
• Review and assess incoming documents for conformance with the California Rules of Court, local rules, and appellate court procedures.
• Process/docket and code documents using an electronic case management system.
• Manage case dockets, including monitoring overdue or missing documents, files, exhibits, or records and evaluating docket entries, attachments, and correspondence for accuracy and timeliness.
• Evaluate, prepare, and issue court orders, letters, default notices, and other notices relating to cases.
• Maintain court files, documents, exhibits, transcripts, etc.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with public and court staff members, including answering incoming calls or in-person inquiries from the court staff, public, attorneys, and other courts regarding cases, California Rules of Court, and other procedural and legal processing issues.
• May assist in preparing oral argument calendars.
• Serve periodically as a courtroom clerk, including recording, teleconferencing, and entering court proceedings into minutes.
• Open, review, and distribute incoming mail and process outgoing mail.
• Process electronic or cash payments or fees and prepare financial transaction receipts.

A SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE SKILLS IN:

• Using programs and software for electronic case management and other applications such as Word, Excel, Adobe, Microsoft Outlook, Office 365, MS TEAMS, etc.
• Explaining complex procedures and processes concisely and comprehensively.
• Applying rules, regulations, codes, and other guides in various work situations in the Clerk’s Office.
• Understanding and documenting processes and procedures step-by-step.
• Maintaining a complex record-keeping, filing, and notification system.
• Composing correspondence independently.
• Performing detailed clerical and legal processing support activities accurately.
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions.
• Organizing own work, setting priorities, and meeting critical deadlines.
• Safely operating standard office equipment.
• Establishing and maintaining professional and respectful working relationships with those contacted during the work.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Deputy Clerk I, II, or III: Equivalent to graduation from high school and two to four years of legal processing experience. Experience and/or education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Deputy Clerk: Equivalent to graduation from high school and five years of legal processing experience, including two years of advanced procedural and legal processing experience at the appellate court deputy clerk level. Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Senior Deputy Clerk: Equivalent to graduation from high school and six years of legal processing experience, including two years of advanced procedural and legal processing experience at the level of an appellate court deputy clerk and one year as a lead.

Directly related college-level coursework may be substituted for required experience on a year-for-year basis.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The California Courts of Appeal are equal opportunity employers. The California Courts of Appeal comply with obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Light Work: This position is performed in a standard office environment with appropriate lighting and temperature. The role may occasionally require exerting up to 30 pounds of force, up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis, or a negligible amount of force on a constant basis to move objects. Duties typically involve prolonged periods of sitting, as well as walking, reaching, standing, grasping, pushing, pulling, lifting, keyboarding, kneeling, crouching, stooping, seeing, hearing, speaking, and performing repetitive motions.

Please note: If you are selected for hire, the Sixth District Court of Appeal will require verification of employment eligibility or authorization to legally work in the United States.

How To Apply

To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by 5:00 P.M. on May 22, 2026.  This position will remain open until filled.  This position requires the submission of our official application, a resume, and a response to the supplemental questions.

To complete an online application, click on the Apply for Job button.

The Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate Court District, provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodation.  Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Human Resources at (415) 865-4260. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is available by dialing 711. Once connected, provide the relay operator with the number for Human Resources: 415-865-4260.

Pay and Benefits

Assistant Deputy Clerk I, II, III Salary Range:        $4,793 - $7,046 per month

Deputy Clerk Salary Range:                                    $6,372 - $7,749 per month

Senior Deputy Clerk Salary Range:                        $7,015 - $8,527 per month

Please note due to statewide fiscal conditions, the posted salary range is subject to a temporary 3% reduction. In exchange for this reduction, judicial branch employees accrue an additional 5 hours of paid personal leave per month through June 30, 2027.

Highlights of our benefits package include:

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Pretax Parking
• Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility

Equal Employment Opportunity

THE SIXTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Supplemental Questions

These questions are intended to provide more detailed information about your work experience.  Your answers to the following questions will allow us to better assess your qualifications.

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, we ask that you respond to the following questions:

1. Describe three skills for a successful professional life and explain why they are essential or effective.
2. Which of your previous positions were a great fit and why? Which of your previous positions were not a great fit and why?
3. How do you define work ethics, and what does it mean to you?
4. Please indicate why you believe your experience and skills qualify you for the position.  In addition, explain why you are interested in this position.