Court Referee
Salary
$183,545.25 Annually
Location
Historic Courthouse, 939 W. Main Street, El Centro, CA 92243, CA
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
2026-16
Department
Administration
Opening Date
08/25/2026
Closing Date
9/8/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
General Purpose
The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is seeking candidates with a passion for executing and upholding the law. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of personal integrity, flexibility, and exemplary people skills.
This professional level position performs various judicial and quasi-judicial functions as prescribed by law California Rules of Court, Rule 10.700 et seq or conferred by the Court, making dispositions on cases. The Court Referee has the same jurisdiction and exercises the same powers and duties as the judges of the Court with respect to infractions and small claims. The Court Referee hears, evaluates and makes decisions on infraction offenses, small claims and other judicial proceedings, including the imposition of fines, sentences and the settlement of issues; interprets, enforces and carries out laws including issuing judgments and orders, and acts as a temporary judge and presides over cases as needed and by stipulation of the parties. The percentage of time dedicated to these responsibilities is approximately 80%(Infractions) / 20% (Small Claims).
The candidate holds office at the pleasure of the Court and works under general direction of the Presiding Judge.
IMPERIAL COUNTY
Imperial County was founded in 1907 and is the youngest of California's 58 counties. Its current population is approximately 180,580 and encompasses a 4,500 square mile area in the southeast corner of California. The area includes over 400,000 acres of irrigated farmland that is among the most productive agricultural regions in the world. The terrain varies from 235 feet below sea level at the Salton Sea to 4,548 feet at Blue Angel Peak.
Imperial County is also the winter home of the United States Navy Blue Angels, the Glamis Sand Dunes, the Imperial Valley Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta, the Holtville Carrot Carnival, and Brawleys Cattle Call Rodeo. The County consists of seven incorporated cities: El Centro, Brawley, Calexico, Imperial, Holtville, Calipatria and Westmorland and is located on the international border with Mexico. Through the three ports of entry, there is travel of over 35 million people and over 250,000 cargo trucks each year. The Valley's central location and proximity to Mexico make Imperial County an ideal location for industry and business services.
Imperial Valley is noted for its sunny climate and almost unbelievable agricultural productivity. The climate is hot and dry, ranging from lows in the mid 30s in January to highs of 110+ in July and August. There are lots of recreation opportunities for its residents and visitors varying from the sand dunes to golf and just across the border, amenities of a large urban city.
ABOUT THE COURT
The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is a unified Superior Court, served by ten judges, one commissioner, and one referee. The Presiding Judge is the Honorable Monica Lepe-Negrete and the Court Executive Officer is Maria Rhinehart. The Court employs approximately 115 staff including full-time, part-time and contract. There are three current courthouses located: 2 in El Centro and 1 in Winterhaven. The Court utilizes a single case management system for all case types and submits data electronically to DMV, DOJ and JBSIS. For additional information about the Court, visit the website at www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/.
Examples of Essential Duties
For a complete list of the qualifications and essential duties, please refer to the job description.
Minimum Qualifications; Licenses; Special Requirements
This position requires the incumbent to be an active member in good standing with the California State Bar and admitted to practice law in California for at least 10 years or, on a finding of good cause by the presiding judge, for at least 5 years. Candidates must possess a valid California Driver's License and ability to maintain insurability under the Court's vehicle insurance policy.
Additional Information
Soliciting Support for Candidacy:
Each candidate for the position of Court Referee is advised that he or she should not contact any judge of the Court for the purpose of soliciting support for his or her candidacy. Solicitation of support on behalf of any candidate by any other person is also discouraged. Members of the selection committee will seek information from their fellow judges or others regarding the qualifications of candidates at the appropriate stage of the examination procedures.
Required Documentation:
Notice:
Superior Court of California, County of Imperial referees are prohibited from practicing law during their employment.
Selection Process:
The selection process is confidential. Applications received before the deadline will be evaluated to determine if the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. The Court will only interview the candidates that best meet the needs of the Court. Successful candidates may be asked to return for a second interview. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment live scan clearance. All applicants will be notified by e-mail following application review.
Application Process:
Interested candidates must apply online. Applications must include required documentation listed above and complete supplemental questionnaire. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questionnaire.
Status Notification:
You will be notified by email during the process of this recruitment through governmentjobs.com. Please check your email spam/junk folders. If your information changes, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com and email HR@imperial.courts.ca.gov.
Reasonable Accommodations:
Imperial County Superior Court provides reasonable accommodations upon request for applicants with disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 760-336-3530 or HR@imperial.courts.ca.gov if you feel you will need an accommodation for any aspect of the selection process. The Human Resources Department requests that it be advised of special needs at least five days prior so that a reasonable accommodation may be made.
The Court offers a competitive compensation package. Total compensation includes not only your salary, but also the benefits paid by the Court on your behalf. These Court provided benefits add significantly to the overall value of your compensation.
Pay Practices
This position is paid on a biweekly basis. Medicare is paid at a rate of 1.45% by both, Court and Employee.
Leave Provisions
Up to 7 years = 18 days per year
Greater than 7 - 14 years = 20 days per year
After 14 years = 22 days per year
Accrual Cap = Upon reaching 240 hours, you will no longer accrue vacation until your balance falls below the accrual cap.
Employee retains mileage or expense reimbursement only.
Military Leave provided in accordance with the law.
Bereavement leave available.
Benefits
Retirement
ICERS - For Employee/Employer contributions rates visit ICERS Employee/Employer Contributions Rate. Rates are X hourly rate X hours worked per pay period (up to 80 hours per pay period).
Holidays
14 paid holidays per year. The Court recognizes the following holidays:
01
Are you currently a member of the California State Bar in good standing?
02
Are you willing to take an oath of allegiance to support and defend the Constitution of the State of California?
03
Please list all undergraduate, graduate, and law schools you attended; include the dates you attended, the degrees earned, and your law school GPA. If you graduated with honors from any institution or were a member of a law review, please indicate.
04
Have you ever held public office other than a judicial office, or have you ever been a candidate for such an office? If so, provide the details, including the offices involved, whether elected or appointed, and the dates of your service.
05
List all courts in which you are presently admitted to practice. Include the date of admission to each court. Provide the same information for administrative agencies having special admission requirements.
06
Describe the nature and extent of your service, if any, as a referee, as a judge pro tem, as an arbitrator, or as a mediator, either privately or through a judicial arbitration program. Describe the five (5) most recent cases and up to five (5) other significant cases and identify the counsel involved, including names, addresses, phone numbers and dates of your service.
07
Have you ever applied for a position as a judge, commissioner, referee or other judicial position? a) If so, state the date of application, and whether or not you were offered the position applied for. b) Has your name ever been submitted to the California State Bar Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation? If so, state the approximate date of the submission, and whether you were found qualified or not qualified.
08
Briefly describe the nature and extent of any free legal services you have provided to nonprofit organizations, indigent individuals, and others. Include pro bono experience. Include the names and addresses of such organizations and/or individuals where appropriate.
09
Describe the nature and extent of your involvement in legal community affairs other than those previously mentioned.
10
As an attorney or judicial officer, have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics or unprofessional conduct by any court, administrative agency, bar association, disciplinary committee or other professional group? If so, provide the details, including the applicable date and disposition for each incident.
11
Have you ever been summoned, cited, arrested, taken into custody, indicted, convicted or tried for, or charged with, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, the violation of any felony or misdemeanor (excluding traffic infractions), or have you ever been requested to appear before any prosecuting attorney or investigative agency in any matter, military or civil? If so, provide the details, including the date, description of the alleged offense, locality and disposition for each incident.
12
As a member of any public office or as an attorney, have you ever been: suspended, disbarred, or otherwise disqualified or had your license suspended or revoked; or have you ever been reprimanded, censored, or otherwise publicly or privately disciplined; or are there any charges formal or informal, presently pending against you? If so, provide the details, including dates, dispositions and name and address of the organization in possession of the records thereof, for each incident.
13
Have you ever been a party or otherwise involved in any other legal proceedings? If so, provide the details. Do not list proceedings in which you were merely a guardian ad litem or stakeholder. Include all legal proceedings in which you were a party in interest, a material witness, named as a co-conspirator or co-respondent, and any grand jury investigation in which you were identified as a subject or target, or in which you appeared as a witness. Provide the details including the name, address and telephone number of counsel for the parties in each case.
14
Are there any unsatisfied judgments against you, or are you in default in any way in the performance or discharge of any duty or obligation imposed upon you by decree or order? If so, provide the details.
15
Have you ever been sanctioned in excess of $1000 by any court, or have you ever been cited for contempt of any court or tribunal having the power of contempt? If so, provide the details, including date and name, address and telephone number of the judicial officer involved and counsel for the opposing parties in each case.
16
Have you ever been charged in any civil, criminal or administrative action with conduct alleged to involve moral turpitude, dishonesty and/or unethical conduct? If so, provide the details, including the applicable date and name, address and telephone number of the counsel for the opposing parties in each case.
17
Has a tax lien or other collection procedure ever been instituted against you by federal, state or local authorities? If so, provide the details, including the amount at issue and the date and status of the claim or other collection procedure for each incident.
18
Have you filed appropriate tax returns as required by federal, state, local and other government agencies? If not, provide the details including an explanation, the amount at issue, date and resolution for each incident.
19
If any articles or allegations have ever been printed, broadcast or otherwise made public concerning you that may reflect adversely on your job performance, identify the material, explain fully, and attach a copy of each publication to this application. (If the volume is extensive, attach representative samples of the publications and specify where the balance may be reviewed.)
20
Did you attach the required documents: 1) Cover letter, 2) Resume, 3) Copy of California State Bar card showing active status, 4) Legal writing sample or samples such as a portion or all of an appellate brief, memorandum of points and authorities, opinion letter, article, etc. Sample(s) should not exceed 10 pages. Note: Failure to attach these documents may disqualify you from the selection process.
21
Did you include the required five (5) references including name, address and telephone number in the above Reference section of this application? Note: Failure to include the required references may disqualify you from the selection process.
Required Question
Employer Superior Court of California, County of Imperial
Address 939 W Main Street
El Centro, California, 92243
Phone 7603363530
| Location | El Centro, CA |
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