Contra Costa County Superior Court is seeking those willing to serve on the 2019-2020 civil grand jury for one year beginning in July, it has announced.
Nineteen members will be chosen from applicants. The civil grand jury monitors, reviews and reports on city and county governments, special districts and school districts.
Applications are being accepted now.
Once selected and sworn in, jurors will train for two weeks, during which they will meet members of local governments and learn their functions.
Jurors will be organized into committees to investigate local government agencies, research topical materials, interview county executives and staff members and gather facts, the announcement said.
Then jurors will compose and issue written reports on their findings and make recommendations intended to benefit those who live in Contra Costa County, the court announcement said.
Investigations and in-house jury activities are to be kept strictly confidential, the announcement said.
During their year of service, a grand juror will develop solutions to problems, meet governmental leaders and tour government buildings and observe those governments in action, the court’s announcement said.
In addition, jurors often experience “a sense of making a contribution to the difficult task of governing, develop strong working relationships with fellow jurors and know that your ideas can ‘make things happen,’” the announcement said.
Jurors should be prepared to spend three days a week in committee meetings and to perform some work at home, the announcement said.
Members receive a stipend, mileage reimbursement and a parking permit.
Applicants must be a citizen of the United States, be 18 or older and have been a Contra Costa County resident for at least one year prior to selection.
The announcement said it’s “a plus” if applicants have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
Those interested in applying may call the Office of the Civil Grand Jury, 9250608-2621, or obtain applications online at www.co-courts.org/grandjury or at Martinez Library, 740 Court St.
Deadline to apply is March 22.
