Assistant Deputy Clerk I/II/III

Overview

The Court of Appeal for the Third Appellate District in Sacramento is accepting applications for an Assistant Deputy Clerk I/II/III. The individual selected will be hired at a level commensurate with their qualifications. 

Department Overview

The Clerk’s Office handles a variety of legal procedures related to the preparation and processing of appellate court cases. The staff of the Clerk’s Office provides information and assistance to justices, staff, counsel, and the public, regarding cases on appeal, and provides information regarding rules governing appellate procedure. Deputy Clerks may rotate through a variety of assignments within the court, based upon day-to-day operational needs.

Responsibilities

The Clerk’s Office is looking for self-starters who are interested in working in a detail-oriented environment that requires a high degree of accuracy. The ideal applicant will possess integrity, initiative, excellent interpersonal skills, and personal adaptability to:

• Perform advanced clerical work in a specific area of case management, involving the filing, processing and disposition of cases; 
• Review legal documents; 
• Prepare various legal forms, documents, and court orders;
• Determine the proper handling of court orders and documents;
• Prepare oral argument calendar and notify attorneys; 
• Enter pertinent information and updated data relating to areas of service and case activity; 
• Answer inquiries and provide information to the public, attorneys, staff, petitioners, and others, concerning the California Rules of Court, case information and related activity, by telephone or in person
• Utilize the computer to retrieve necessary information for concerned parties; 
• Maintain attorney lists and other relevant records; 
• Perform filing duties; distribute orders, notices, and opinions; 
• Act as relief for departmental or other employees; 
• Handle receipt of monies, fees, and balance/reconcile daily cash; 
• Sit in on court proceedings and assist the Judiciary as assigned; and
• Perform special projects and related work as required.

Qualifications

Assistant Deputy Clerk I: Equivalent to an associate’s degree OR equivalent to graduation from high school and two (2) years of legal clerical processing experience.

OR

One (1) year as an Appellate Court Records Assistant OR two (2) years as an Office Assistant II with the judicial branch.

Assistant Deputy Clerk II: Equivalent to an associate’s degree and one (1) year of legal clerical processing experience

OR

equivalent to graduation from high school and three (3) years of legal clerical processing experience.

OR

One (1) year as an Assistant Deputy Clerk I with the judicial branch.

Assistant Deputy Clerk III: Equivalent to an associate’s degree and two (2) years of legal clerical processing experience

OR

equivalent to graduation from high school and four (4) years of legal clerical processing experience.

OR

One (1) year as an Assistant Deputy Clerk II

OR

two (2) years as an Assistant Deputy Clerk I with the judicial branch.

Additional directly related experience or education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for any of the above.

Desirable Qualifications:

• College degree preferred.
• Make sound decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, internal policies, and procedures. 
• Understand complex procedures and prepare material from such procedures. 
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to perform well in a diverse work environment.
• Advanced computer application skills, working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Working knowledge of legal source materials and legal terminology.
• Knowledge of correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 
• Attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other court personnel.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality.

Knowledge of:

• Policies, procedures, and jurisdictional requirements associated with the trial courts and with appeals and original proceedings before an appellate court. 
• Functions, procedures, rules, and regulations of the Clerk’s Office. 
• Pertinent California Rules of Court, Standard California Codes, and the California Style Manual.
• Office and court clerical practices, including filing and the operation of office equipment.
• The operation of personal computers and the use of specified computer applications, such as word processing, data entry, and spreadsheets. 
• Record keeping principles and practices.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to: 

• Prioritize and examine incoming court documents and materials for conformance to the California Rules of Court, appellate court procedures, and local rules;
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines;
• Organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple work activities and meet critical deadlines;
• Perform detailed clerical and legal processing support activities accurately;
• Apply rules, regulations, codes, and other guides in a variety of work situations in the Clerk’s Office;
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Safely operate standard office equipment;
• Organize and maintain accurate files and records;
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines;
• Operate personal computers and use specified computer applications, such as word processing, data entry, and spreadsheets;
• Communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work;
• Lift up to 50 pounds.

How To Apply

This position is Open Until Filled and requires the submission of our official application, a resume and a response to the supplemental question. To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by September 8, 2026 at 5:00pm.

To complete an online application, please click the Apply for Job button.

The Judicial Council provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodation. Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Human Resources at (415) 865-4260. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is available by dialing 711. Once connected, provide the relay operator with the number for Human Resources: 415-865-4260.

Other Information

If you are selected for hire, the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, will require verification of employment eligibility or authorization to legally work in the United States.

Pay and Benefits

Assistant Deputy Clerk I: $4,413 - $5,364 per month
Assistant Deputy Clerk II: $4,850 - $5,900 per month
Assistant Deputy Clerk III: $5,336 - $6,490 per month

Please note: Due to statewide fiscal conditions, state-level judicial branch employee pay is temporarily reduced by 3% through June 30, 2027. In exchange for this reduction, employees accrue an additional 5 hours of paid personal leave each month.

Highlights of our benefits package include: 

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Pretax Parking
• Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility

Supplemental Questions

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, we will review your responses to the following questions. Please indicate for which employer you performed these functions. Your answers should not exceed a total of three pages.

1. Describe a situation where you had to adapt quickly to unexpected changes in your workload or responsibilities. How did you manage that change, and what was the outcome?
2. Give your best example of a time when you had to work cooperatively as a team member to accomplish an important work goal.

Equal Employment Opportunity

THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.