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The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo is seeking highly qualified candidates for the position of Court Director of Finance. 

To view our online brochure, please click here.

Located in Redwood City, at the heart of Silicon Valley, the San Mateo Superior Court offers the best of both worlds—a mission-driven organization that values innovation, integrity, and impact. You will play a key role in shaping how justice is delivered in one of California’s most forward-thinking and community-centered courts.

Working as part of the court executive team, the Court Director of Finance (Director of Finance) will exercise managerial authority over the financial operations, oversee the budget, and look for ways to enhance the revenue of the Superior Court of California in San Mateo County.  In addition, the Director of Finance will develop, recommend, and implement departmental budgetary goals, policies, and objectives and will develop and implement dual (programmatic and cost center) budgetary, monitoring, and fiscal reporting systems to coordinate with the State budgetary and fiscal reporting systems. 

The Director of Finance will also coordinate financial activities with those of other local agencies and the State and will provide highly responsible and complex financial management support to the Court Executive Officer and related management staff.  Additionally, the Director of Finance will provide direct and indirect supervision over assigned professional, supervisory, technical, and clerical personnel.

The successful candidate is a strategic, innovative, and collaborative financial leader who thrives in a mission-driven environment. You bring a passion for service, a forward-looking mindset, and the ability to lead through change.

You will demonstrate:

• Strategic vision and the ability to anticipate fiscal challenges and opportunities.
• A participatory leadership style that fosters engagement, respect, and innovation.
• A results-oriented, approachable demeanor with a sense of humor and humility.
• The ability to develop and persuasively communicate the Court Executive Officer’s fiscal management vision and effectively motivate others to achieve that vision.
• Skill as a consensus builder who is firm, fair, and responsive, and is a tactful leader with excellent group facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated success implementing system improvements and automation initiatives to enhance financial efficiency and transparency.
• Skill in evaluating the operations of court divisions of various sizes, functions, and levels of complexity.
• Demonstrated success with automation and system upgrades.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plan, develop, and oversee fiscal management, budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting functions for the Court.
• Provide strategic policy direction for all financial activities and ensure integration with State budgetary and reporting systems.
• Monitor and analyze State and local legislation affecting court operations and develop responsive fiscal strategies.
• Direct and evaluate staff responsible for fiscal and accounting functions, including training, motivation, and performance management.
• Plan the development and implementation of the overall Court budget in coordination with operational divisions, prepare budgetary administrative information, and participate in forecasting additional funding requirements for programs, staffing, facilities, equipment, and materials.
• Oversee revenue collection, cost recovery, auditing, procurement, and contract administration.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance of financial statements, reports, and reimbursement claims.
• Oversee, prepare, and review the preparation of complex financial statements, reports, summaries, and reimbursement claims, and analyze and interpret financial information and statistical data for Court management, judicial officers, advisory committees, auditors, and related individuals and groups.
• Represent the Court administration in meetings with the State, judicial officers, County departments, other Superior Courts, and public and private organizations.
• Provide expert consultation to the Court Executive Officer and executive team on fiscal strategy, forecasting, and risk management.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Current Opportunities and Challenges

The Court is in an exciting phase of innovation and modernization including strengthening systems, enhancing transparency, and preparing for long-term fiscal sustainability.
Key initiatives include:

• Implementing financial systems to improve accuracy, efficiency, and insight.
• Expanding automation and data analytics to support executive decision-making.
• Aligning fiscal practices with evolving State funding models.
• Supporting capital project planning and long-term financial forecasting.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, auditing, economics, business, or public administration or a related discipline. A graduate degree in one of the above disciplines is preferred.
• Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible experience performing a wide variety of fiscal resource management in a public agency, at least two years of which were in an administrative or management capacity. Experience in a California Court setting is preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Legislation, policies, and procedures related to budgeting and financial reporting for the California Superior Courts, including public agency fund accounting and third-party reimbursement and claims payment practices.
• Fiscal resource administration, including planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, auditing, and related practices.
• Understanding of California court fiscal structures, fund accounting, and State reporting.
• Strong leadership and management capabilities, including staff development and performance management.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to foster innovation while maintaining compliance and stewardship of public funds.
• Strategic planning, process improvement, and fiscal policy development. Principles and practices of internal and external auditing.
• Techniques for communicating technical financial information to nontechnical operational staff.
• Manage effective financial systems, spreadsheets, and analytics tools.
• Methods for effectively communicating complex financial data to diverse audiences.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, review, and evaluate department-wide budgetary, fiscal reporting, and accounting operations for the Court.
• Coordinate and align local fiscal practices with State requirements.
• Analyze complex administrative and operational problems and implement effective solutions.
• Plan, oversee, train, motivate, review, and evaluate the work of supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical support staff.
• Interpret, evaluate, make complex decisions in accordance with, and explain complex laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor, analyze, and recommend policy and procedure modification in accordance with State and local legislation.
• Negotiate agreement among groups and individuals with differing objectives.
• Prepare and present comprehensive financial reports and analyses.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Total Rewards and Benefits

The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to attract and retain top talent. We are proud to provide exceptional benefits that promote work-life balance, wellness, and financial security:

• Compensatory time accrued at 5 hours per bi-weekly pay period, which may be used for additional time off or eligible for yearly cashed out.
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families.
  • San Mateo County administers benefits for the Superior Court and offers a variety of plan options. Please visit the Benefits At-A-Glance page on the County’s website for a summary of available benefit packages.
• Wellness and professional development programs designed to support your personal and professional growth. Most opportunities are offered during work hours and at no cost to you.
• Participation in the federal Social Security system, providing valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
• CalPERS pension plan with optional deferred compensation programs for additional retirement savings.

• Generous leave programs including vacation, sick leave, and 14 paid holidays per year.
• Participation in Social Security and the CalPERS pension system, with optional deferred compensation programs.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Longevity pay.

Application / Examination
To apply, the following materials must be submitted using the County's online application system:

• County of San Mateo Employment Application Form
• Resume
• Cover Letter expressing your interest in the position and including responses to these four supplemental questions/ subject areas:

Budget Management and Fiscal Oversight
Describe your experience preparing and managing budgets for a judicial government or similar organization. Include the approximate size of the budgets, total staffing, and your specific responsibilities for budget development, monitoring, and reporting. 

Revenue Forecasting and Long-Range Planning
Discuss your experience developing revenue projections and long-range financial forecasts. Include examples of how you used forecasting to guide strategic decision-making or ensure fiscal sustainability.

Contracts and Procurement Management
Describe your experience overseeing contracts, purchasing, and procurement functions. Include examples of how you ensured compliance with public sector regulations, maintained fiscal accountability, and improved procurement efficiency or vendor performance.

Innovation and Operational Efficiency
Provide examples of innovative strategies or process improvements you have implemented to increase efficiency, enhance revenue, or modernize financial or administrative operations. Describe the impact of these initiatives on your organization.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Recruitment Opens: November 7, 2025

Final Filing Date: December 1, 2025, by 11:59 PM PST

Application Screening: December 3-4, 2025

Civil Service Panel Interview: December 16 and 17, 2025

 

Join an agency committed to creating a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident while protecting and improving public health, air quality, and the global climate! 

The Bay Area Air District (Air District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices. 

The Air District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma. 

At the Air District, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a workplace that values diversity and promotes cultural awareness. We prioritize employee engagement by providing a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages active participation and open dialogue. Additionally, we believe in pay equity and strive to create an equitable compensation structure. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, we understand the importance of supporting our employees' well-being both inside and outside the workplace. Join us in a dynamic and inclusive culture where your contributions are celebrated, and your growth is nurtured. 

The Air District recognizes and values the contributions of every employee and works to sustain an environment where everyone is respected. We incorporate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within our decision-making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring.

The Air District is accepting applications for the position of Legal Intern in the Legal Office. This is a temporary, exempt position, not to exceed 10-12 weeks in Summer 2026. There are two (2) vacancies. 

About the Division
The Legal Division provides a wide array of legal services to support the entire Air District, including prosecuting violations of air laws; advising on legal compliance with the Brown Act, California Environmental Quality Act, AB 617, and other federal, State and local laws; supporting rulemakings by developing regulatory language and advising on compliance with rulemaking requirements; supporting the permitting program; reviewing records under the Public Records Act; researching legal issues; and staying abreast of current legal developments in air quality throughout California and nationwide. The Division utilizes a variety of tools to resolve enforcement actions, such as abatement orders, civil enforcement, and coordinating with other enforcement agencies, like local district attorneys or the state Attorney General. For cases in environmental justice communities, Air District staff can directly engage with community members when determining the appropriate legal remedies, including high enough penalties to reach deterrence-based outcomes and ensure the community benefits from the related funds and measures to bring the facility into long-term compliance and prevent the potential recurrence of violations.

Definition
Under close supervision, the legal intern performs various work related to and in support of legal casework being undertaken by attorneys in the Legal Division. The intern gains practical work experience through assisting the Air District’s attorneys while following guidelines and procedures defined by the Legal Division.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a temporary training position for current law students and recent law school graduates. Interns will apply their legal education to work and gain practical experience assisting experienced attorneys on a variety of cases and projects. Through this work, interns will gain valuable environmental law and regulatory experience.

 

Examples of Duties for this Position

(Illustrative Only)

Conducts legal research and prepares legal memoranda for review by attorneys.

Assists attorneys in the preparation of enforcement cases, often involving a specialized body of law.

Assists attorneys in reviewing air quality regulations and policies.

Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions, evaluates their impacts on Air District operations, and recommends appropriate action.

Attends and takes notes at Air District departmental, board and committee meetings.

Maintains, organizes, and tracks accurate records and compiles reports of work performed.

Provides support for special projects as needed.

Performs related duties as assigned.

The Department:
The responsibilities of the City Attorney's Office broadly consist of representing and advising the City Council, City officials, and employees of all City departments in all matters of law pertaining to their offices and departments. This includes appearing on behalf of the City in legal actions or proceedings, providing the City Council with information and advice on wide range of legal matters including litigation and new legislation, and staffing City Council and City Board and Commission meetings as necessary. The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice and support on matters initiated by the City Council, City Manager's Office, and all City departments. Typical work includes research and opinion on various issues; review and negotiation of contracts, leases, or permits; drafting employee policies; review and drafting of resolutions, ordinances, and agenda reports; and preparation of responses to Public Records Act requests.
 
The Position:
The City is recruiting to fill one (1) Assistant City Attorney position. Ideally, the position will be assigned to act as the primary advisor to the City’s Human Resources Department, with additional general municipal areas of work for other departments including but not limited to finance, governance, conflicts of interest, open meetings, and public records.
 
The position is expected to perform a wide variety of legal services ranging from litigation (or litigation management) of  administrative matters (such as internal disciplinary appeals, PERB UPC charges, and CalPERS determinations) to collective bargaining and MOU review/drafting; legal research and drafting opinions; negotiating contracts; drafting disciplinary documents; drafting resolutions and ordinances; providing on-call legal support to all divisions of the Human Resources Department (records, benefits, testing, classification, labor, workers compensation, recruitment, safety, risk management, etc.); and, staffing commission meetings such as the Civil Service Commission and Salary Setting Commission. This position is also expected to perform other duties as assigned.
 
The ideal candidate will have superior legal analytical ability and excellent research, writing and oral communication skills and the ability to deal effectively with City employees, opposing counsel, elected and appointed officials, and members of the public.
 
The ideal candidate will also have experience defending  allegations of misconduct in personnel matters, significant experience advising on human resource issues, including Fair Labor Standards Act, Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, labor negotiations, California Public Employees’ Retirement Law, state and federal benefits/leave laws, state and federal employment-related tax laws, and experience providing training in laws, regulations, policies and best practices in personnel management and workplace misconduct

This is a professional position in the Unclassified Service, is an “at-will” position, and the incumbent serves at the discretion of the City Manager. This position is responsible for performing a broad range of duties, which deal with more complex issues. An incumbent in this classification must exercise independent judgment and discretion; manage, control, and direct employees; and formulate administrative policies for the effective use of assigned personnel. The position requires a demonstrated ability to work well with management, professional and administrative support employees in the Office; with clients, professionals, managers, City’s executive management team and all City Departments and elected and appointed officials from the City and various boards, commissions, and committees. An incumbent in this classification must demonstrate strong ethical, professional, and service-oriented leadership and interpersonal skills, set a good example; and correctly apply and abide by the tenets of the City’s Code of Ethics and Values.
 
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Additional Information: 
Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter 2) Resume, and 3) Writing Sample of maximum 5 pages (appropriate examples would be a staff report, public legal memo, redacted memo).  Incomplete applications will not be considered.
 
Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. This job posting is open until filled: Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis. If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the posting is closed, which may happen at any time.

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS.  ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. 

 

The annual salary range for this position is $213,185.04 - $275,895.96.  This position will be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.
 

Minimum Qualifications

EXPERIENCE
• J.D. or L.L.B. from an accredited law school;
• Six (6) years recent experience in the general practice of law.  Four (4) years of the qualifying experience must include dealing with municipal, county or state governmental agencies in the State of California;
• One year of supervisory experience is desirable; and
• Trial experience is highly desirable.

CERTIFICATION
• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California is required;
• Admission to the Federal District Court and Federal Appeals Court Bar is desirable.

LICENSE:
Possession of an appropriate California driver's license is required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job.

Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
May be required to work odd and unusual hours.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Incumbents in this position are required to file a Conflict of Interest statement upon assuming office, annually and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager Directive 100.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  
The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.