Probate Examiner

Superior Court of CaliforniaCounty of Contra CostaAnnounces An Openrecruitment ForProbate ExaminerAnnual Salary Range: $73,162.75 - $93,375.98Final Filing – 5:00 pm on Monday, June 15, 2026The Court is conducting an open recruitment for the classification of Probate Examiner. Under the general supervision of the Court’s Chief Counsel, a Probate Examiner provides technical expertise in reviewing filings in probate proceedings in order to assist the court and the parties to get the filed matters properly ready to be considered by the court in accordance with requirements and performs related duties as required. The Probate Examiners unit works closely with the Supervising Probate Judge, the Probate Legal Research Attorney and other court staff to support the Court’s efforts to efficiently and effectively adjudicate Probate matters.Only applicants who meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing day may apply. An eligibility list will be established as a result of this recruitment. Regular and punctual attendance is essential.Duties for the Probate Examiner may include, but are not limited to:Reviews guardianship and conservatorship probate cases by examining pleadings for sufficiency as to form, content and procedural requirements of the statutes, court rules and policy; Summarizes petitions, replies, objections, and responses;Reviews accounting documentation as to income, disbursements, assets and surety bonds;Identifies defects in filings and returns to originating party with explanation of findings;Recommends action in matters that are in order and may be approved by the Probate Judges on verified petition; Prepares cases for hearing and participates in hearings to respond to judicial officer questions;Answers questions from the public and attorneys; Provides drop-in and telephone assistance litigants on all probate issues including name changes;Provides probate statutes as needed for the Probate Judges; and Other duties as assigned.Knowledge OfThe IDEAL CANDIDATE should have:Legal terminology and legal procedures;Functions and purpose of guardianship and conservatorship probate laws;Basic accounting and bookkeeping methods and practices;Provisions of the Probate Code, Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedure, Revenue, Taxation Codes and other related statutes;Rules promulgated by the Judicial Council and Superior Court rules which are regularly applied in the examination of petitions for conservatorship, guardianship, probate of wills, trust administration and other actions requiring approval of the Probate Court;Legal procedures and documents pertaining to all probate-related matters;Word processing and spreadsheet software applications.Ability ToPerform basic accounting, bookkeeping and mathematical computations;Read and comprehend complex provisions of probate law;Analyze complex information and data;Correctly identify problems and develop valid courses of action to resolve problems;Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with individuals from various backgrounds and educational levels;Deal courteously and tactfully with the public, attorneys, court officials and other staff;Examine and determine if the contents of probate and other probate-related files are consistent with statutory procedural requirements;Apply pertinent provisions of the Probate Code, Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedure, rules promulgated by the Judicial Council and Superior Court rules to individual circumstances and case facts;Explain defects in filings; assist self-represented litigants in filing guardianship cases.Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; ANDTwo or more years’ employment experience with a court, with a public or private law office, in a probate-related capacity, or with a public guardian or conservator or a private professional fiduciary;ORParalegal certificate from an accredited educational institution; AND Four or more years of employment experience with a court, with a public or private law office, in a probate-related capacity, or with a public guardian or conservator or a private professional fiduciary.Any combination of education and experience that provides the candidate with the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the Probate Examiner will be considered.Application And Selection ProcessInterested individuals must complete a court application on-line and must provide a valid email address. Only applications submitted electronically by 5:00 pm on Monday, June 15, 2026, will be considered. To apply go to: http://www.cc-courts.org click on the Jobs-Volunteer-Intern-RFP tab then click on the Job Listings link. All communications will be via email. Please add contracosta.courts.ca.gov and government.jobs.com to your email address book to ensure delivery of emails. For additional information email: jobs@contracosta.courts.ca.gov.Depending on the number of applications received, an application evaluation committee may be convened to review and evaluate each candidate’s application package, and those deemed best qualified will be invited to a written examination. Those achieving a passing grade on the written examination will then be invited to an oral interview. The court reserves the right to make revisions to this process in accordance with the Court Personnel Plan and accepted selection practices.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 accordance with applicable law.GENERAL INFORMATIONConditions of EmploymentSuccessful completion of fingerprint and a criminal record background check is required prior to appointment and is a condition of employment.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.ConvictionsFelony 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 EligibilityIn 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 RepresentativeThis position is represented by AFSCME Local 2700.