What are the responsibilities and job description for the Municipal Court Judge position at Athens-Clarke County Unified Government?
Purpose & Job Related Requirements
The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia seeks candidates for an exciting opportunity to serve as the Municipal Court Judge. This position is responsible for planning, directing, budgeting and managing the operations of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County's Municipal Court. The Municipal Court Judge is appointed by the Mayor & Commission for a two-year term.
The Municipal Court Judge presides over the various proceedings of Municipal Court; directs and oversees judicial and administrative duties of the Municipal Court; directs and oversees the judicial and court services staff of the Municipal Court; establishes, reviews and revises the policies and procedures of the Court.
As department head, the Municipal Court Judge is ultimately accountable for budgeting controls and managing the department's resources in accordance with policies and regulations of the organization. In addition, the judge:
- Oversees the adjudication of misdemeanor criminal, traffic and city code violations. Ensures relevant Court Rules, state statutes, city ordinances, etc., are applied when presiding over trials to the Court, trials to the jury, pretrial conferences, arraignments, etc. Sets annual terms of court;
- Supervises and evaluates assigned staff, handling all employee concerns, directing work assignments, counseling and disciplining employees when necessary, and completing employee performance appraisals;
- Ensures court records, policies and practices include record preparation, retention, public access and privacy protections; oversees operational management of the Tyler Case Management System
- Directs the development, implementation and monitoring of fiscal policies, internal controls and procedures ensuring the efficient and accurate fiscal operations. The judge is accountable for the collection and processing of all cash receipts and disbursements and reconciliation of accounts and for the Court performing within budget; oversees cost, control activities; reviews expenditures in the Court to assure sound fiscal control; requires effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time;
- Establishes overall expectations and provides feedback to the Mayor & Commission. Directs the assessment of the Court's needs and ensures education, training and development opportunities for staff. Reviews and approves policies, procedures and best practices that support and reward professional growth and adequately addresses succession planning.
- The Municipal Court Judge confers with Mayor on consistent basis in regards to court achievements, challenges and opportunities. Coordinates continuous communications with the ACCGov Leadership Team, ACCGov Departments and other governmental agencies. Ensures the assessment of the Court's needs for diverse community outreach, the resources that are available and their deployment, as needed.
We hope you will take time to explore this opportunity to join a highly professional local government organization and a progressive, vibrant community in the heart of sunny Northeast Georgia just 65 miles from Atlanta. Home of the University of Georgia, Athens is nationally-recognized for its high quality of life, state-of-the-art educational opportunities, endless outdoor recreation, and cultural amenities such as arts, entertainment, music, and food. If this opportunity is for you, we invite you to apply, or to pass on this information to others who might find this position of interest.
Municipal Court Judge
Competitive Annual Salary depending on qualifications
Salary range: $101,842 - $121,318 depending on qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Qualified applicants must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia with at least five years legal experience and a graduate of an American Bar Association accredited law school. This is a full-time position, and private practice is not permitted.
Four years of supervisory experience required.
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Final candidates must successfully pass the pre-employment process that includes a thorough background investigation of employment, educational history, driving history, criminal history, and credit history.
This position is an appointed position (at-will) and serves at the discretion of the Mayor.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open from March 28, 2025 - April 20, 2025. .
First review of applications begins on April 11, 2025.
Please do not send resumes in lieu of a completed application.
Please direct questions to:
Lori Pollock, Employment Administrator, lori.pollock@accgov.com
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor
The Mayor is a part-time position chosen through direct election for up to two four-year consecutive terms and serves as the official representative of the Unified Government, including serving as the Unified Government's representative to federal, state, and local governmental bodies and officials. The Mayor:
- initiates the process, with the involvement of Commission members and appropriate staff, to search and screen candidates for the positions of manager, attorney, and auditor and to recommend candidates for these positions to the Commission for appointment with the concurrence of a majority of the Commission;
- sets the agenda after receiving input from members of the Commission, the manager, and the public, for meetings of the Commission and presides over these meetings;
- makes committee appointments and non-binding recommendations to the Commission for the position of Manager of the Unified Government;
- presents a proposed annual budget and a proposed capital improvements budget prepared by the manager with the assistance of department and agency heads for approval by the Commission;
- approves or vetoes ordinances or resolutions approved by the Commission;
- calls special meetings of the Commission;
- executes all deeds, contracts, and obligations of the Unified Government;
- votes only in the case of tie-votes in any matters before the Commission;
- performs any other duties and exercises any other powers required by state or federal law or authorized by a duly adopted ordinance that is not in conflict with the Charter.
The Athens-Clarke County Commission
The Commission is made up of 10 part-time Commissioners elected from 10 geographically-separate districts. All legislative powers of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, including any such powers that may be conferred, are vested exclusively in and exercised by the Commission. Members of the Commission serve four-year staggered terms.
REPORTS TO: Mayor
CLASSIFICATION: Appointed; serves at the discretion of the Mayor.
PAY GRADE: Not classified
SAFETY SENSITIVE: No
Purpose of Job
This position is responsible for planning, directing, budgeting and managing the operations of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County's Municipal Court. The Municipal Court Judge is appointed by the Mayor & Commission for a two-year term.
The Municipal Court Judge presides over the various proceedings of Municipal Court; directs and oversees judicial and administrative duties of the Municipal Court; directs and oversees the judicial and court services staff of the Municipal Court; establishes, reviews and revises the policies and procedures of the Court. Additionally, the Judge serves as the Administrative Hearing Officer for the Unified Government, and and other duties generally associated with oversight of judicial activities and functions, and performing additional tasks as assigned.
Job Related Requirements
May be required to work on religious holidays.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
Must work cooperatively with others.
When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC's safe driving policy.
Minimum Training & Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Qualified applicants must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia with at least five years legal experience and a graduate of an American Bar Association accredited law school. This is a full-time position, and private practice is not permitted.
Four years of supervisory experience required.
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Final candidates must successfully pass the pre-employment process that includes a thorough background investigation of employment, educational history, driving history, criminal history, and credit history.
Essential Duties, Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Planning, directing, budgeting and managing the operations of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County's Municipal Court. The Municipal Court Judge is appointed by the Mayor & Commission for a two-year term.
Presides over the various proceedings of Municipal Court; directs and oversees judicial and administrative duties of the Municipal Court; directs and oversees the judicial and court services staff of the Municipal Court; establishes, reviews and revises the policies and procedures of the Court.
Serves as the Administrative Hearing Officer for the Unified Government.
As department head, the Municipal Court Judge is ultimately accountable for budgeting controls and managing the department's resources in accordance with policies and regulations of the organization.
Oversees the adjudication of misdemeanor criminal, traffic and city code violations. Ensures relevant Court Rules, state statutes, city ordinances, etc., are applied when presiding over trials to the Court, trials to the jury, pretrial conferences, arraignments, etc. Sets annual terms of court;
Supervises and evaluates assigned staff, handling all employee concerns, directing work assignments, counseling and disciplining employees when necessary, and completing employee performance appraisals;
Ensures court records, policies and practices include record preparation, retention, public access and privacy protections;
Directs the development, implementation and monitoring of fiscal policies, internal controls and procedures ensuring the efficient and accurate fiscal operations. The judge is accountable for the collection and processing of all cash receipts and disbursements and reconciliation of accounts and for the Court performing within budget; oversees cost?control activities; reviews expenditures in the Court to assure sound fiscal control; requires effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time;
Establishes overall expectations and provides feedback to the Mayor & Commission.Directs the assessment of the Court's needs and ensures education, training and development opportunities for staff. Reviews and approves policies, procedures and best practices that support and reward professional growth and adequately addresses succession planning.
The Municipal Court Judge confers with Mayor on consistent basis in regards to court achievements, challenges and opportunities. Coordinates continuous communications with the ACCUG Leadership Team, ACCUG Departments and other governmental agencies. Ensures the assessment of the Court's needs for diverse community outreach, the resources that are available and their deployment, as needed.
Performs other duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of the Athens-Clarke County Government and the operations and functions of the Judicial System and the position of Municipal Court Judge.
Knowledge of the terminology used within the department.
Knowledge of the criminal and civil justice systems, courts, Georgia Court Rules and Procedures, legal terminology and procedures and methods as required in the performance of duties.
Knowledge of budgeting practices and principles.
Knowledge of grant application and management and records management.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships and communication effectively with judges, attorneys, court personnel, jurors, law enforcement officials, county governing officials, and public.
Ability to conduct read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical and legal procedures, and government regulations.
Ability to solve practical problems while directing office operation, work flow, and workload performance.
Ability to compile, organize, prepare, and maintain an assortment of records, reports, and information in an effective manner and according to departmental and/or governmental regulations.
Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.
Ability to handle the required mathematical calculations.
Ability to utilize and understand computer applications and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments.
Ability to plan, organize, and/or prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
Ability to comprehend and apply the regulations and procedures of the department.
Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, facsimile machine, and copier. Must be able to use body members to work, move, or carry objects or materials. This position requires: walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work.
DATA CONCEPTION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants / from supervisors
LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires the ability to read a variety of law books, research manuals, court cases and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare memorandums and write policies using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques, to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation, and to make independent judgments in the absence of management.
VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages including legal terminology.
NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, and to utilize and determine percentages.
FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with office equipment.
MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using office equipment. Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.
MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as a computer, copier, and various office equipment. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
COLOR DISCRIMINATION: May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimum stress when confronted with an emergency.
PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.
Total compensation at the Unified Government includes a comprehensive set of benefits, a well established culture of wellness, and a secure retirement that set us apart as a stable Employer of Choice where you can serve and make a difference in the community.
BENEFITS
http://www.accgov.com/434/Benefits
WELLNESS
http://www.accgov.com/wellness
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
http://www.accgov.com/index.aspx?nid=791
Salary : $101,842 - $121,318
