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The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, is seeking qualified and experienced candidates for the position of Court Human Resources Director.

Please review the job brochure for details about the position. You can view the PDF version by clicking here.

About the Role:

This is a rare opportunity to serve in a trusted leadership position within the Superior Court of San Mateo County. As Human Resources Director, you'll guide a team of professionals to deliver high-quality HR services that support the Court’s operations and employees. From driving policy to modernizing processes, this role is central to shaping an inclusive and effective work environment for judicial and administrative staff alike.

As HR Director, you will:

• Oversee all aspects of HR for the Court, including recruitment, employee relations, training, classification and compensation, and performance management
• Serve as a key member of the Court’s executive team, advising judicial leadership on HR policy and labor matters
• Lead and mentor a dedicated HR team while building strong partnerships across departments
• Drive innovative, people-first HR strategies that support a high-performing, inclusive, and equitable work environment

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic HR guidance to Court leadership and support workforce planning initiatives
• Oversee recruitment, classification and compensation, benefits, training, employee relations, and facilities services
• Lead labor relations, including negotiations and contract interpretation
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, Court rules, and HR policies
• Supervise HR staff and promote continuous improvement across all HR functions
• Manage workplace investigations and support risk mitigation efforts
• Coordinate with payroll and finance to ensure accurate processing
• Use HR data to inform decisions and support organizational effectiveness

Ideal Candidate:

• An influential leader who brings clarity, confidence, and purpose to organizational leadership
• A proven manager with direct experience in human resources operations
• A collaborator who inspires trust and brings teams together to solve problems
• A strong communicator who can present complex ideas with clarity and diplomacy
• A strategic thinker who embraces change and champions continuous improvement
• A values-driven professional with a commitment to equity, empathy, and community well-being

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE:

Final Filing Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025, 11:59 PM PST

Application Screening: August 18 - 22, 2025

Civil Service Panel Interviews: September 4 and/or 5, 2025

Departmental Panel Interviews: TBD

The San Mateo County Attorney's Office is seeking candidates for the 2026 Michael P. Murphy Public Law Fellowship.

In 2014, the County of San Mateo established a Fellowship position in honor of former San Mateo County Counsel Michael P. Murphy. Mr. Murphy served in the County Counsel’s office from 1982 to 2011, the last four years as County Counsel. Vacancies in Bay Area county counsel offices typically attract many qualified applicants and new attorneys are generally not considered for these positions. This Fellowship provides an opportunity for new attorneys to receive training and experience in advising and litigating on behalf of government agencies as they begin their legal careers.

Attorneys in the San Mateo County Attorney’s Office (previously known as the County Counsel’s Office) are generalists. We provide legal advice to County departments, school districts, and special districts; litigate civil cases in State and Federal courts and before administrative agencies; and manage calendar assignments in Dependency, Probate, Lanterman Petris Short Act, and other specialized areas of law. Fellows are given the opportunity to experience a wide range of public sector work, in litigation, public policy, and advice roles. The goal is to provide each Fellow a year in the life of a Deputy County Attorney.

The one-year Fellowship position is focused on providing opportunities to recent law school graduates and judicial clerks. This Fellowship will begin in the Fall of 2026. Law School graduates who will be sitting for the 2026 July Bar Exam are encouraged to apply.

The annual salary range for the position is $131,673 to $187,860.

To apply, please submit in one combined PDF: a resume, cover letter, writing sample, unofficial transcript, and a list of references to cc_applications@smcgov.org by 11:59 p.m. on September 1, 2025.

Applications will be accepted by email only (cc_applications@smcgov.org).