Probate Examiner
Probate Examiner (Part Time) Merced Superior Court
Hourly Range: $23.15 - $28.16
Filing Deadline: 4:30pm 7/10/18
Probate Examiner (Part-Time; 2 – 3 days/wk.)
Open Recruitment
Filing Deadline: July 10, 2018
4:30pm Actual Receipt
Hourly Rate: $23.15 - $28.16
DEFINITION:
Under general supervision, a Probate Examiner provides technical expertise in the procedural aspects
of probate cases; and performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is a single level professional class responsible for reviewing a variety of probate matters prior to
submission to the judge. This class is distinguished from Court Investigator in the latter performs
probate investigation rather than file review and evaluation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties
does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment
for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
1. Performs technical reviews of probate files; reviews detailed financial and accounting records;
reviews applications and provides recommendations for revisions; performs related computer data
entry; posts probate notes on court’s website; creates lists of defects in probate matters; refers
certain matters to the research attorney
2. Attends court hearings; monitors cases during court sessions; reviews related documents; provides
recommendations; prepares notes of action taken in court; monitors probate matters for future
action and compliance with code and rule requirements; interacts with attorneys; provides
direction to rectify technical defects.
3. Conducts legal research; posts pertinent information and law changes on the court’s website;
creates local court forms; reviews and drafts local rules; reviews changes in law and procedures;
consults practice guides and legal publications; conducts on-line research; reviews probate codes
and rules of the court.
4. Creates, maintains, and updates probate procedures policy manual.
5. Prepares, maintains and distributes statistical reports and related budgets for approval.
6. May be required to conduct monthly mandatory sessions for new conservators and guardians
including providing instructions for simple accounting.
7. Performs routine office related tasks; answers incoming calls; maintains filing systems; orders
supplies.
8. Reviews inventories of assets for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with probate code.
9. Assists in the preparation, maintenance, and distribution of the list of attorneys eligible for court
appointment in probate matters as directed.
10. Complete education and attend trainings as required by the Court and the Rules of Court.
11. Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or other regulations
including labor and employment bargaining information.
12. Performs other related duties as required.
Supervisory Duties:
None
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Employment Standards
As applicable to assigned areas of responsibility
Knowledge of:
Basic legal terminology and legal procedures
Functions and purpose of probate laws
Basic accounting and bookkeeping methods and practices
Provisions of the Probate Code, Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedures, Revenue and Taxation
Codes, rules promulgated by the Judicial Council, and Superior Court rules which are regularly
applied in the examination of petitions for conservatorships, probate of wills and other actions
requiring approval of the Probate Court
Legal procedures and documents pertaining to probate matters.
Skill/Ability to:
Perform 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
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals from various backgrounds
and education levels
Deal courteously and tactfully with the public, attorneys, court officials and other staff
Use a computer to word process and communicate
Examine and determine if the contents of probate 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 pro per clients in filing guardianship cases
Communicate effectively to members of the public regarding various topics related to probate
matters
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Education:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree; AND two (2) years of
full-time, increasingly responsible experience processing and documenting cases related to probate,
civil, family, juvenile, and/or LPS mental health matters from one or more of the following employers:
a court; a public or private law office; and/or a public administrator, public guardian, public
conservator, or private professional fiduciary; OR
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a paralegal certificate or an Associate’s
degree; AND four (4) years of full-time, increasingly responsible experience processing and
documenting cases related to probate, civil, family, juvenile, and/or LPS mental health matters from
one or more the following employers: a court, a public or private law office; and/or a public
administrator, public guardian, public conservator, or private professional fiduciary; OR
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree; AND six (6)
months of full-time increasingly responsible experience processing and documenting cases related to
probate, civil, family, juvenile, and/or LPS mental health matters from one or more of the following
employers: a court, a public or private law office; and/or public administrator, public guardian, public
conservator, or private professional fiduciary.
Substitution:
A paralegal certificate from an accredited university is highly desirable and may substitute for one (1)
year of the clerical experience.
License, Certification and/or Special Requirements:
A valid class C California driver’s license may be required. The requirement will be reviewed on
a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
Performance Aptitudes
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data.
Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to
established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and
relationships.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others
in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver,
and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing
essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or
advisory data, and information.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions;
and the ability to interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as
motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and
principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in
situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria,
as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
Physical Ability:
Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use a keyboard, computer monitor, and other
office equipment on a daily basis and for extended periods of time
Fine finger manipulations, dexterity, and coordination to handle files and single pieces of
paper
Forceful and repetitive gripping, grasping, and pinching
Occasional lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 20 lbs.
Frequent reaching for items on shelves, above, at, and below desk/shoulder level
Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or
negligible amount of force constantly to move, torque, twist, push, and pull objects
Frequently sit for extended periods; frequently stand for extended periods; and frequently
walk, move, bend, stoop, lift, and stretch
Able to move to different locations such as, but not limited to: courtrooms, clerk’s office,
various departments, other court facilities, and desk assignments based on the operational
needs of the Court
Able to traverse inside and outside over uneven ground and pavement
Perform repetitive writing, typing, copying
Employees are regularly required to verbally communicate both in person and by telephone
Corrected hearing and vision to normal range
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of
colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse
environmental conditions.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Applications may be obtained from and submitted to:
Merced Superior Court
Human Resources
627 W. 21st
St., Room 20
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 725-4103
Or visit our website at www.mercedcourt.org
All applications for employment must be made on an official application form and must be filed with
Human Resources on or prior to the closing date and time for receipt of applications. Postmarked
and faxed applications will not be accepted. A resume may be included with the application as
supplemental information, but will not be accepted in lieu of an official application. All information
on the application must be completed – “see resume or see attached” is not acceptable. Applications
must be legible, signed and complete (including copies of licenses, certificates, transcripts,
Supplemental Questionnaire, etc. if required). All information is subject to investigation and
verification.
The selection process is subject to change. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a
sufficient number are received at which time the recruitment will be closed or the filing deadline has
occurred. In order to insure proper evaluation of employment qualifications, it is suggested that
applicants read the directions carefully and fill out the application COMPLETELY. Those applicants
meeting the minimum qualifications and possessing the most relevant experience as shown on the
application may be invited for an interview. The screening of applications will be done by Human
Resources who will determine the most qualified to be referred for interviews.
If you require accommodations in the application or interview process, contact Human Resources at
the number listed above before the deadline posted on the job announcement.
Merced Superior Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer
EOE