Principal Manager I

Overview

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of Principal Manager I with the Center for Families, Children & the Courts (CFCC). CFCC performs a broad range of legal, funding, education, and data analytics functions to assist the courts and improve the quality of justice and services to children, youth, parents, and families.

The Principal Manager I position provides high-level management oversight and strategic direction for core service areas of CFCC, including Family Court Services, Data Analytics, Collaborative Justice, Behavioral Health, and the CARE Act. The position supervises three supervisors and oversees approximately 15 indirect reports. This position has organization‑wide impact and is accountable for directing multiple complex, sensitive, and highly visible programs that are critical to the Judicial Council’s mission. Responsibilities include funding allocation and program administration, statewide resource and curriculum development, and delivery of legal and technical assistance to the courts. The position also provides staff support to the Judicial Council’s Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee and its Juvenile Subcommittee.
 

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.

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, based on their office leader’s direction, 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 State of California and within a 150-mile driving radius of their assigned reporting location.
 

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight, through supervisors, in specialized, complex core service areas of CFCC: Family Court Services, , Data Analytics, Collaborative Justice, CARE Act and Behavioral Health.
• Provide subject matter expertise in the core service areas of Family Court Services, Data Analytics, Collaborative Justice, CARE Act and Behavioral Health. Guide policy and program development.
• Collaborate with CFCC and office leadership to implement goals, establish processes, and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Provide strategic context and oversee financial and program administration to three supervisors responsible for operations that have critical impact for the Judicial Council, courts and the public:  Family Court Services, Collaborative Justice, CARE Act, and Behavioral Health, and Data & Analytics.
• Build and sustain strong working relationships with courts, justice partners, state agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Support cross-unit coordination, strategic planning, and organizational decision-making.

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

Bachelor’s degree and six (6) 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 three (3) 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

• Knowledge of the California court system, court operations, relevant codes, rules, and regulations;
• Knowledge of treatment, services, and resources for vulnerable populations in the court system;
• Knowledge of family court services, collaborative court proceedings, and applicable law;
• Sufficient knowledge and experience to represent the Branch in discussions of program and policy;
• Sufficient knowledge to provide staff development in substantive areas;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and persuasively.
   

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.

How To Apply

This position is Open Until Filled and 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 Monday, April 20, 2026.

To complete an online application, 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.
 

Pay and Benefits

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. Describe a statewide initiative you led that required directing supervisors across multiple program areas. What were the goals, how did you align the work with executive direction, what key decisions did you make, and how did you measure impact on courts and the public?
2. Give an example of a complex program you managed, including budgets, expenditures, contracts/procurement, and multi funding source workplans. What financial controls and compliance practices did you use, how did you handle constraints, what results did you achieve, and what lesson learned improved future budget or contract management? Include dollar ranges and timelines.