Judicial Assistant Trainee

Salary: $19.37 - $24.74 Hourly

Location : Historic Courthouse, 939 W. Main Street, El Centro, CA 92243, CA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 2026-06

Department: Operations

Opening Date: 01/28/2026

General Purpose

Open until filled. Applications will be considered in the order received.

Please review the minimum qualifications for this position and ensure that your "Work Experience" clearly includes the duties/experience that qualify you for this position.

Under supervision, performs basic courtroom duties while learning courtroom policies, practices and procedures such as assisting in the management of the logistical functioning and flow of courtroom activities to ensure the court runs in an efficient and professional manner; at a judicial officer's direction, sets calendars and schedules hearings according to legal and procedural time limits; maintains the official record of the court; acts as liaison with judicial officers, legal counsel, court staff, all interested parties and the public to answer procedural questions and resolve problems; and performs related duties as assigned.

Judicial Assistant Trainee is the trainee class in the Judicial Assistant series. Incumbents are assigned to a courtroom to perform courtroom duties while learning courtroom policies, practices and procedures applicable to the duties of Judicial Assistants. Incumbents may be assigned to a variety of traffic, small claims, criminal arraignment and misdemeanor courts and to the less complex civil trials. Under direct supervision, incumbents learn and perform a variety of highly responsible courtroom support functions that require a developing knowledge of the terminology, procedures and practices for their assigned areas, with a significant degree of independence and accountability for results. Incumbents organize and manage courtroom support operations and activities by coordinating courtroom flow, maintaining the official record of the court and acting as liaison to judicial officers, legal counsel, court staff and the public.

Judicial Assistant Trainee is distinguished from Judicial Assistant I in that incumbents in the latter class perform more complex courtroom support functions and are assigned to departments requiring significant knowledge of court operations, policies and procedures.

A Judicial Assistant Trainee is expected to qualify for advancement to the Judicial Assistant I level, Step 1, following 12 months, depending upon their background, experience and performance.

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

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent; and three (3) years of experience performing progressively responsible court related services duties; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Completion of training in areas specified by the Court is highly desirable.

A valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Court's vehicle insurance policy.

The ability to read and/or speak Spanish or another language is frequently required.

Additional Information

Required to submit a cover letter and current resume with application. Failure to submit cover letter and resume may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questionnaire.

Human Resources will review applications to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications; therefore, it is to your benefit to include all current and previous related work experience within the previous 10 years.

Selection Procedure:

Step I: Applications will be reviewed to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and have submitted required documents; eligible candidates will be referred to step II in the selection process.

Step II: Those candidates that are successful in the previous step will be invited to participate in a required written assessment. Candidates selected to move forward will be notified approximately one week before the assessment. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Step III: Candidates that pass the written assessment with a 70% or better may be invited to participate in an oral interview.

Step IV: Those candidates who are successful in the interview may be placed on the eligibility list. Placement on the eligibility list is not a guarantee of employment.

Additional steps for the selection process will include a drug test, background and reference checks.

Status NotificationsYou will be notified by email during the process of this recruitment through governmentjobs.com. Please check your email spam/junk folders and accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and imperial.courts.ca.gov. If your information changes, please update your profile atwww.governmentjobs.com.

Reasonable Accommodations

The Court provides reasonable accommodations upon request for applicants with disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department at or 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 priorto the examination 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 is an non-exempt hourly position with biweekly paydays. Medicare is paid at a rate of 1.45% by both, Court and Employee.

Leave Provisions

Sick leave is accrued at a rate of .0500 per hour worked based on max of 80 hours per pay period. Max amount accrued per pay period is 4 hours per pay period.

Vacation time is accrued based on years of service capped at 240 hours:

From date of hire to 60 months (5 years) accrual rate is at .038462 per hour worked and equivalent to 10 days per year.

60 months to 120 months (5 to 10 years) accrual rate is at .057690 per hour worked an equivalent to 15 days per year.

120 months to 180 months (10 to 15 years) accrual rate is at .069230 per hour worked an equivalent to 18 days per year

180 months to 240 (15 to 20 years) accrual rate is at .080760 per hour worked an equivalent to 21 days per year

Over 240 months (20 years +) accrual rate is at .088460 per hour worked an equivalent to 23 days per year. This bracket is capped off at 320 hours.Jury leave is paid at employee's regular rate of pay by the court. Employee retains mileage or expense reimbursement only.

Military Leave provided in accordance with the law.

Bereavement leave is 9 days per rolling 12 months.

Benefits

Health Insurance is available at a shared cost. The Court will subsidize a percentage of the medical premium and employee is responsible for the rest. The percentage subsidized by the Court depends on coverage plan chosen. Coverage is also available for registered domestic partners and eligible dependents at employee's expense.

Vision and Dental Insurance is optional and paid by the employee.

Basic life Insurance of $20,000.00 is paid by the Court. Optional Supplemental Life and Dependent Insurance is available at the employee's expense.

Long Term Disability Insurance is available at the employee's expense.

Worker's Compensation is paid by the Court.

State Disability Insurance is paid by employee at 1% rate up to $101,636 in wages.

Deferred Compensation (457(b) Plan) is available at the employee's expense.

Employee Assistance Program is paid by the Court.

Tuition Reimbursement up to $1,200 per calendar year subject to pre-approval and availability of funds.

Retirement

ICERS - For Employee/Employer contributions rates visit 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:

New Year's Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Lincoln's Birthday

President's Day

Cesar Chavez Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Native American Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Day

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Stating "see resume" does not fulfill the requirements of the question. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

Yes

No

02

What is your highest level of education?

Less than High School / GED

High School / GED

Some College

Associates Degree or Higher

03

How many years of experience do you have performing progressively responsible court related services duties?(Reminder: Responses will be verified from information included within the work experience section of your application. If needed go back and update your work experience.)

04

Describe your experience and length of time in any and all areas of law. (Reminder: Responses will be verified from information included within the work experience section of your application. If needed go back and update your work experience.)

05

Did you attach the required Cover Letter and Resume?

Yes

No

Required Question