Deputy Director (Principal Manager II)

Overview

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Director (Principal Manager II) for the Center for Families, Children & the Court (CFCC). The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Director (Principal Manager II) for the Center for Families, Children & the Court (CFCC).

CFCC’s core mission is to provide direct services to support effective court practices and meet the diverse needs of families, children, and others served by the California state courts. The Deputy Director (Principal Manager II) reports to the CFCC Director and assists the Director with managing operations and interactions with judicial branch officials, partners, and critical stakeholders to further the mission and goals of the Judicial Council. The Deputy Director is charged with supporting the CFCC Director and Executive Office leadership in implementing the strategic goals and objectives of the Judicial Council of California through a portfolio of statewide programs to assist the courts and the public to improve practice in family and juvenile law, as well as other case types, including child support, collaborative justice and treatment courts, domestic violence, probate/mental health and the Community Assistance Recovery and Empowerment Act, legal services support through the Shriver and Equal Access programs, and services to self-represented litigants. 

The Deputy Director focuses on ensuring high quality deliverables for the Executive Office, Judicial Council, court leadership, the legislature, and other stakeholders. The Deputy Director is responsible for overseeing the fiscal operations and funding allocations; resource allocation and operations such as personnel actions, office equipment, technology and data projects, and project management; and the office’s compliance with all guidelines, reporting, and directives from Leadership Support Services, Budget Services, Branch Accounting and Procurement, Human Resources, and Legal Services.

The position directly oversees two Principal Managing Attorneys and one Principal Manager I and direct management of the Allocations Unit. The Deputy Director provides across-the-board, high-level oversight of office operations, and representing the CFCC Director as assigned. Duties extend to accountability in all aspects of operations including alignment with Judicial Council goals and objectives, adherence to quality excellence, and timeliness, in the implementation and execution of program and policy priorities, reporting mandates, grant management, and financial management of multiple funding streams.

The Judicial Council

The Judicial Council of California is the policy setting body for the state court system and has constitutionally conferred statewide rule-making authority. This authority includes developing, advocating for, and allocating the judicial branch budget. A majority of Council members are California state justices and judges; however, the Council also includes lawyers, legislators, and court administrators.

By enhancing its role as a leadership, knowledge, and service resource for the judicial branch, the Judicial Council’s staff organization seeks to continue to evolve as one of California’s most dynamic public service entities, focused on improving access to justice for all Californians by innovating and responding to the changing needs of the courts and the public. 

As a government body charged with improving the statewide administration of justice, the Judicial Council has multiple offices with diverse responsibilities relating to court policy and operations. As employees of the council, every member of staff should view and approach their work as one Judicial Council with a public service mission that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Judicial Council strives for work-life balance, including substantial vacation and holiday time. In addition, we offer an excellent benefits package, including pension, medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending, up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs, and retirement savings plans. In San Francisco, the office is only a 7-minute walk from the Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is minutes from downtown, just north of Discovery Park.

The Judicial Council offers hybrid work arrangements for many positions. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person on Wednesdays at the Judicial Council’s San Francisco or Sacramento office and reside in the areas surrounding these locations. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications 

Education and Experience 

Bachelor’s degree, and seven (7) years of professional analytical or managerial experience in assigned function, including, but not limited to, program analysis, development, implementation, research, and advising, including at least three (3) years of supervisory/management experience. An additional four (4) years of professional experience as noted above may substitute for the bachelor’s degree. Or, additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted on a year for-year basis.

OR

Master’s degree in a directly related field for the assigned discipline and four (4) years of professional-level analytical or managerial experience in assigned function, including, but not limited to, program analysis, development, implementation, research, and advising, including at least three (3) years of supervisory/management experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• ​​Experience with various CFCC programs including, but not limited to, juvenile dependency and delinquency; child and family-focused programs; child support; child welfare and adoptions; family law and domestic violence; self-help for self-represented litigants; mental health and behavioral health services; tribal/state programs; Court Appointed Special Advocates program; and Community Assistance Recovery and Empowerment Act. 
• Strong understanding of budgeting, financial analysis, and fiscal management.
• Ability to effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and the public. 
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and implement innovative solutions to complex problems. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and persuasively.
• ​Strong attention to detail, organization, and project management skills.  
• ​Experience in managing a portfolio of programs with multi-grant and fund sources and requirements.  
• ​Knowledge of trial court funding, budgeting and accounting procedures. 
• ​Experience with state, federal, and/or local policies and budget and legislative processes. 
• ​Strong understanding of budgeting, financial analysis, and fiscal management. 
• ​Experience developing and maintaining positive working relationships with internal and external business partners. 
• ​Ability to effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and the public.  
• ​Experience leading and directing high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams to achieve business objectives, while promoting a fair, diverse, and inclusive team culture.  
• ​Demonstrated ability to think creatively and implement innovative solutions to complex problems.  
• ​Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and persuasively. 
• ​Experience in leading and managing organizational change initiatives. 

Responsibilities

• Ensure high quality office deliverables for CFCC Director review and approval and dissemination to the Judicial Council, Executive Office, courts, the legislature, and others.
• Under direction of the CFCC Director, oversee the fiscal operations of the office including direct management of the office-wide allocations unit, ensuring the quality and accuracy of all office financial reports, allocations, and transactions.
• Oversee office operations, ensuring that office is staffed and vacancies promptly filled, staff have access to tools required for their work, and technology and security guidance is followed.
• Manage office compliance with all internal policies and requests for information and assistance from Executive Office, Leadership Services, Budget Services, Branch Accounting and Procurement, Human Resources and Legal Services.
• Under direction of the CFCC Director, manage the implementation of new programs and policies.
• Recommends selection of staff.
• Trains staff and proposes internal and external training courses and workshops.
• Provides for career development and planning for staff.
• Approves time off requests. 
• Reviews and approves time sheets.
• Evaluates employee performance and conducts performance reviews; and 
• Administers discipline as required. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Judicial Council of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay and Benefits

$11,866 - $17,798 per month 

Some 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)

How To Apply

To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by 5:00 P.M. on Monday, November 10, 2025, however, 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 the online application, please click the Apply for Job button. 

The Judicial Council 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.

Other Information

Please note: if you are selected for hire, verification of employment eligibility or authorization to work in the United States will be required.

Supplemental Questions

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, we will review your responses to the following question. (You may consider submitting a separate document due to character limitations.)

1. What interests you about this position and what specific skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to this role?  

2. Describe your approach to ensuring the quality and accuracy of high-level deliverables intended for executive leadership, judicial bodies, or legislative stakeholders. How do you manage competing deadlines and maintain quality control?  

3. Describe your approach to supervising and developing staff. How do you balance performance management with career development?