Clerk/Executive Officer

Overview

The Fourth Appellate District Court of Appeal, Division One, located in downtown San Diego, is accepting applications for the position of Clerk/Executive Officer for the Fourth District Court of Appeal. The position reports to the Administrative Presiding Justice.

Under the authority of the justices of the Court and direction of the Court’s Administrative Presiding Justice, the Clerk/Executive Officer is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing the Office of the Clerk of the Court and, with minor exceptions, all non-judicial administrative support activities for the entire court.  The Clerk/Executive Officer is an "at will" employee who serves at the pleasure of the justices of the court. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the effective and collaborative administration of the court while fostering strong working relationships and supporting its ongoing mission and priorities.

The Court seeks a dynamic administrator with an exceptional capacity for managing and leading people  who will serve as subject matter expert on court operations.  This position is responsible for performing fiscal, accounting, and budgetary duties, in addition to managing the administrative and operational functions of the Court including assigned duties in human resources, facilities maintenance, fiscal management, information technology, and other court provided services.

The Clerk/Executive Officer should be a team builder who can motivate employees and sustain a culture that combines high performance with job satisfaction, professionalism, and a common sense of public service. It is essential that the administrator foster a respectful environment for employees, as well as users of Court services, and exercises best practices for personnel management. A proven track record of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, successful performance management, and knowledge of California appellate procedures are desirable qualities, though not essential if the candidate can otherwise demonstrate the management skills needed for the position. Applicants can expect the Court to carefully consider both their education and experience.

Responsibilities

The following are examples of duties the Clerk/Executive Officer may be called on to perform pursuant to the California Rules of Court 10.1020 and at the direction of the Administrative Presiding Justice:

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (illustrative only)
Plans and implements administrative and operational programs and policies for the court and for the Office of the Clerk of the Court.

• Directs, plans, organizes, administers, reviews, and evaluates the work of staff, often through subordinate managers and/or supervisors; oversee or provides for the selection, training, professional development, and discipline of staff; supervises assigned staff.
• Develops and/or revises administrative policies and procedures.
• Reviews and responds to correspondence and inquiries regarding interpretation of court policies and procedures.
• Develops, administers, and monitors budget of an appellate court.
• Coordinates facility and space planning.
• Manages the procurement of supplies and equipment.
• Ensures a full range of human resources is provided for the court.
• Coordinates information systems activities.
• Administers a variety of business services, including telephone systems, fax capability, and mail and duplicating services.
• Coordinates court security.

• Represents the court to internal and external customers, including the other branches of government, on issues pertaining to the court.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Attend meetings outside of normal working hours.
• Work occasionally in the evening and weekend hours.
• Required to travel statewide as necessary.
   

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Policies and procedures associated with appeals and original proceedings before an appellate court.
• Functions, procedures, rules, and regulations of the Clerk’s Office.
• California Rules of Court and rulemaking procedures.
• Management principles and practices, including goal setting; employee development; program development, implementation, and evaluation; and the supervision of employees.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Administrative principles, best practices of personnel management, and procedures associated with human resources, business services, information systems, finance, security, and other services found in a court.
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution methods and techniques.
• The operation of personal computers and the use of specified computer applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets.
• Principles and techniques of preparing effective oral presentations.
• Principles and techniques of preparing a variety of effective written materials.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement court administrative programs, policies, and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, and work standards.
• Direct and/or manage programs and staff often through subordinate managers and/or supervisors.
• Translate goals, objectives, and policies into day-to-day operations.
• Develop and direct effective work teams and motivate individuals to meet goals and objectives and provide services in the most effective and efficient manner.
• Maintain fiscal, legal, and statistical records and prepare necessary summaries and reports.
  Develop and administer the court’s budget.
• Apply effective methods of office administration in the areas of purchasing, human resources, budgeting and accounting, information systems, and other business services related to the operation of the court.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Apply problem-solving and conflict resolution methods and techniques.
• Operate personal computers and use specified computer applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets.
• Communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Use tact and discretion in dealing with those contacted in the course of the work.

Licenses and Certificates:
None

Education and Experience:
Equivalent to possession of a bachelor’s degree, preferably in court administration or a related field, and six years of court management experience, including a minimum of two years of increasing responsible management experience. A law degree may be substituted for two years of experience.

OR

Two years as an Assistant Clerk/Executive Officer.
 

How To Apply

To ensure consideration of your application, please apply by September 30, 2026 by 5:00pm; however, the position will remain open until filled. This position requires the submission of a cover letter, resume, supplemental questions, and one page narrative describing experience that qualifies applicant for the position.

To complete an online application please click the APPLY TO JOB button.

Applications materials can also be emailed to Human Resource Liaison Amy Miragliotta at amy.miragliotta@jud.ca.gov.
 

Pay and Benefits

$17,018 -$21,052 per month

Please note due to statewide fiscal conditions, the posted salary range is subject to a temporary 3% reduction. In exchange for this temporary 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
• Public Services Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
   

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supplemental Questions

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, the Court asks that you respond to the following questions.  Your response should be no more than two pages in length.

1. Describe the qualities you believe are essential to effective leadership and provide an example of how you have demonstrated them.
2. Please describe a specific experience or accomplishment in which you improved the efficiency, effectiveness, or quality of court operations. What was your role, and what was the outcome?
3. What does public service mean to you, and how have you demonstrated a commitment to public service in your professional experience?
4. Why are you interested in this position, and are there any circumstances or considerations that could affect your ability to accept the position if selected?