Self-Help Managing Attorney

Superior Court of California County of Contra Costa

Announces an open recruitment for:

 Self-Help Managing Attorney

$119,918.24 - $153,049.73 annually

 Final Filing – 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2025

The Superior Court of Contra Costa County is conducting an open recruitment to fill the Self-Help Managing Attorney position. Under the general direction of the Deputy Executive Officer, the Self-Help Managing Attorney serves as the Family Law Facilitator as defined in Family Code § 10000 et seq. and directs the self-help programs designed to assist self-represented litigants with Family, Civil, and Probate matters.  

An individual appointed to this position must exemplify all the core competencies expected of court managers including being a leader of change, being a leader of people, being results oriented, possessing good business acumen, and being able to build coalitions and communicate effectively with all others. Regular and punctual attendance is essential.

Typical duties may include, but are not limited to:

1. Lead, organize, assign, schedule, supervise, and evaluate the work of the Family Law Facilitators team, the Civil Self-Help team, the Small Claims Advisor Program, and Probate Facilitator services; develop, implement, and monitor work plans to achieve court objectives; participate in the selection of new staff; establish performance and personal development targets; regularly monitor performance, and provide training, coaching, and mentoring to staff.
2. Plan, organize, and evaluate the administrative and operational functions of the court’s self-represented programs and services to assist self-represented litigants; lead the development and implementation of litigant assistance programs and enhance existing programs and services; develop strategies and policies to effectively meet the needs of self-represented litigants and improve the flow of cases through the court.
3. Responsible for data collection for evaluation of court programs and services, services levels and outcomes; compiles, analyzes, and interprets complex data sets; prepares statistical and other workload reports, maintains necessary accounting and audit records for grant expenditure and workload data; collaborates with judicial officers and court management to make recommendations regarding program enhancements.
4. Ensure all federal, grant, and other funding requirements for litigant self-represented support programs are met; participate in the development of grant applications as requested.
5. Serve as the Court’s family law expert, assisting judicial officers and court personnel in researching family law related matters.
6. Assist in the development, documentation, and maintenance of policies, local rules, local forms, procedures and programs targeting self-represented litigants involved in family, civil and probate matters.
7. Provide assistance to self-represented litigants in a variety of settings including, but not limited to a triage desk, a help desk, workshops, and in the courtroom; prepare concise written instructions and materials for litigants. Explain legal issues and procedures to litigants with little to no knowledge of the law.
8. Develop and coordinate programs for bar and community outreach and educational programs focused on improving service and access to financially disadvantaged litigants.
9. Establish and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with judicial officers, attorneys, court employees, and other governmental agencies.

 In addition to the ability to perform the above duties, the IDEAL CANDIDATE should have the following: 

 Knowledge of:

• Program planning and evaluation;
• Management principles and methods, including goal setting, effective communication, program and budget administration and employee supervision;
• Family, Civil and Probate law procedures;
• The child support establishment and enforcement process under Title IV-D of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.);
• Child support law and the operation of the uniform state child support guideline;
• The law and psychological issues related to domestic violence;
• Trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence;
• Civil, probate and family litigation; and
• Office productivity software as well as other computer programs such as DCSS Child Support Calculator, LiveChat, QMatic, STARS, Essential Forms, Xspouse, Westlaw, and Lexis/Nexis.
• Grant fund management; specifically, AB1058 and Judicial Council’s Enhanced Self-Help Grant
• Effective diffusion and de-escalation techniques to help resolve and reach agreement in contested matters

• The Self-Help Managing Attorney must meet the minimum qualifications set forth in the Family Law Facilitator Act (Family Code section 10000 et seq) and California Rule of Court 5.430 including:

• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of California;
• Possession of a law degree from an accredited law school
• Active membership in the State Bar of California; and
• A minimum of five years' experience in the practice of law, which must include substantial family law practice including litigation and/or mediation.

• Bilingual – Ability to speak fluent Spanish.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Excel to develop and update budgets and reports.

• Three weeks of vacation per year, accrued on a bi-weekly basis increasing with years of service, with annual buyback option;
• Twelve days of sick eave per year, accrued on a bi-weekly basis increasing with years of service;
• Fourteen fixed paid holidays;
• Twenty-four (24) hours personal floating holiday annually pro-rated based upon hire date;
• One hundred (100) hours of administrative leave each January 1st, pro-rated for new appointments;
• Annual Professional Development reimbursement benefit;
• Reimbursement for base annual state bar license fee;
• Membership in the County's retirement plan under the County Employees' Retirement Law of 1937;
• Choice of health, dental and vision plans with court subvention for employee and dependent coverage of up to 100% of the lower premium-cost plan for medical and 90% for dental and vision;
• Court paid life insurance;
• Voluntary benefits including deferred compensation (457) retirement program and supplemental benefits plans; and
• Commuter Benefit Program that allows employees to pay for eligible public transit and parking expenses using pre-tax dollars (up to IRS limits).

GENERAL INFORMATION

Conditions of Employment

Successful completion of fingerprint and a criminal record background check is required prior to appointment and is a condition of employment.

Because the Court operates in multiple branches, the employee may be required to travel to other court locations, and possession of a valid California driver’s license is therefore required.  All employees of the court who operate a vehicle on court business must certify they possess a valid California Driver’s License and required levels of automobile insurance. 

Convictions

Felony and misdemeanor convictions MAY BE disqualifying for employment with the court. The court will assess the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has elapsed since the offense was committed, and the nature of the job duties to be performed.

Employment Eligibility:

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all persons hired after November 6, 1986, are required to present to the Court, at the time of appointment, original documents which show satisfactory proof of: 1.) identity and 2.) U.S. Citizenship or a legal authorization to work for any employer in the United States. 

 Union Representative

This is an unrepresented management position. 

Applicants with Disabilities:  Reasonable accommodations will be made so applicants with disabilities may participate in the recruitment process.  Please advise Superior Court Human Resources of special needs in advance.

 The Court is an equal opportunity employer.   The Court provides equal employment opportunity at all times and does not discriminate in violation of applicable law

Salary : $119,918 - $153,050