The Alameda County Superior Court has opened a recruitment for Mental Health Hearing Officers.  

Mental Health Hearing Officers are independent contractors and perform subordinate judicial officer duties as Mental Health Hearing Officers under the authority and direction of the Superior Court Presiding Judge or designee.

Mental Health Hearing Officers conduct hearings regarding involuntary hospitalization for mental health patients (Probable Cause/Certification Review Hearings, Welfare & Institution Code Sec. 5250 et seq) and patients’ capacity to make treatment decisions (Capacity Hearings, Welfare & Institution Code 5332 et seq). Hearings are conducted at designated Alameda County mental health facilities. The Judicial Services Division or designee coordinates the Mental Health Hearing Officer Program.

Eligibility requires California Bar membership in good standing and five (5) years of legal practice. Candidates shall be selected in accordance with statutory authority and regulations in Welfare & Institutions Code sections 5256.1 and 5334 (c). Pursuant to Government Code 69917, effective January 1, 2003, attorneys who perform subordinate judicial officer duties may not engage in the practice of law. Qualified applicants selected to provide professional services as Mental Health Hearing Officers must comply with all provisions of the California Code of Judicial Ethics and California Judicial Conduct Handbook.

Those interested can learn more and apply here. If you have questions, contact Crystal Esparza, Principal Analyst, in the Human Resources Division at (510) 891-6097.

The job posting end date is May 29, 2023.