Director, Criminal Justice Services

Overview

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of Director with the Criminal Justice Services office. The Criminal Justice Services office is a dynamic team of attorneys, analysts, and researchers who work together to support courts and partners in implementing programs that ensure everyone has fair and equal access to justice.

The Director is responsible for oversight of the Criminal Justice Services (CJS) office for the Judicial Council, including overseeing the legal, research, and program efforts related to criminal justice in order to improve efficiencies and assistance to the courts, justice partners, and the public. The Director allocates resources and staff and develops and implements the goals, objectives, and policies of CJS and may coordinate criminal justice related activities conducted by other offices within the Judicial Council. The Director provides subject matter advice and expertise to the Chief Justice, Judicial Council, its advisory committees, and other government partners and represents the interests and positions of the Judicial Council to justice system partners, elected officials, the Governor's Administration, and other stakeholders. The Director ensures the work of CJS aligns with policy and research activities. The CJS Director reports to the Chief Operating Officer.
 

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, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and retirement savings plans. The San Francisco office is only a 7-minute walk from the downtown Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is located 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 at the Judicial Council’s San Francisco or Sacramento office at least two days per week and reside in the areas surrounding these locations. To be eligible for Judicial Council employment and participation in the Judicial Council’s Hybrid Work Program, a prospective or current employee’s primary residence/remote work location must be in the 

Responsibilities

• Direct the personnel and programs of CJS including overseeing the office’s legal, research, and program efforts.
• Develop and implement goals and objectives of the Criminal Justice Services Office.
• Provide counsel and advice to the Judicial Council, JC advisory committee leaders, the Executive Office, and other Judicial Council staff in the decision-making processes related to criminal justice policy.
• Represent the interests, needs, and positions of the Judicial Council related to criminal justice matters to other justice system partners, stakeholders, elected officials, and the Governor's Administration.
• Provide input to the Executive Office in the development of Judicial Council-wide policies and practices.
• Provide subject matter expertise and respond to inquiries from trial court leadership.

OTHER DUTIES

• Attend staff meetings.
• Attend training and other mandated education requirements.
• Respond to Executive Office and Judicial Council inquiries related to office priorities and duties.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

• 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.
   

Qualifications

This position requires the submission of our official application, responses to the supplemental questions, and a resume. To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

To complete an online application, click on 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.
 

Pay and Benefits

$13,820 - $20,729 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.

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
• Public Services Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
   

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Judicial Council of California Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
 

Supplemental Questions

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, please provide a response to the following questions. Your answers should not exceed a total of three pages.

1. Please describe your experience providing lead direction and oversight to managers and supervisors, as well as your experience managing staff directly.