Associate Municipal Judge (Part Time)

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

February 19, 2025

Compensation Details:

Full Pay Range

75,441.60 - 113,162.40

Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a part-time salaried position. The posted Hiring Range is adjusted based upon the Scheduled Weekly Hours divided by 40. If the adjusted salary rate falls below the FLSA exempt threshold, salary will be paid on an hourly basis.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

20

Benefit Eligibility Group:

Non-Union (20 - 29 Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

Join the City of Boulder Municipal Court as a part-time Associate Judge and contribute to a nationally recognized, transformative justice system. Designated as a Mentor Court by the Center for Justice Innovation, Boulder’s Municipal Court is committed to advancing equity, innovative problem-solving, and community-focused justice. This role offers the opportunity to engage in programs addressing systemic issues and fostering lasting change.

Job Description:

Why Boulder?

Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is renowned for its vibrant culture, progressive values, and commitment to sustainability. This position offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact on the community while working with a dedicated team that prioritizes equity, innovation, and restorative practices.

Boulder is a city deeply invested in its residents’ quality of life, championing sustainability, inclusivity, and community engagement. It is an ideal location for professionals passionate about combining meaningful work with an exceptional quality of life.

About Boulder Municipal Court

The Boulder Municipal Court is a leader in criminal justice reform, addressing municipal code violations—including traffic infractions, criminal misdemeanors, and city ordinance violations—with a focus on restorative, problem-solving approaches. The Associate Judge will play a vital role in furthering this mission of accountability, restoration, and systemic transformation.

Notable programs include:

• Community Court: Serving unhoused individuals by resolving low-level offenses through services such as housing assistance, mental health support, and substance use interventions.
• University Partnerships: Collaborating with the University of Colorado Boulder to address underage drinking and THC use, reflecting the court's dedication to innovative, community-centered solutions.

By combining accountability with comprehensive support, the court reduces recidivism and enhances public safety while exemplifying systemic transformation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Adjudicate Cases: Preside over civil and criminal cases arising under the City Charter, City Code, and other ordinances, including traffic violations, misdemeanors, and ordinance infractions.
• Educate and Inform: Explain legal processes and applicable laws to defendants, fostering understanding and accountability.
• Impose Judgments: Assess evidence, testimony, and legal briefs to make informed decisions. Apply relevant ordinances to determine appropriate fines, penalties, or other remedies. Authorize search warrants for property inspections in accordance with legal protocols.
• Maintain Court Order: Issue and enforce orders related to contempt, failure to appear, nuisance abatement, and other court-mandated actions.
• Policy Development: Collaborate with the Presiding Judge to refine and implement equitable court policies and programs.
• Support Staff Development: Contribute to the professional growth of court staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
• Provide Coverage: Serve as Acting Presiding Judge during absences, ensuring seamless operations.
• Ensure Safety and Compliance: Maintain a safe working environment, adhering to all safety protocols.

The above duties reflect the court’s dedication to equity, collaboration, and meaningful community impact. Responsibilities may be adjusted to meet evolving needs of the City and the Municipal Court.

Team Dynamics

Reporting directly to the Municipal Judge, you will collaborate with a dynamic and supportive team, including the Court Administrator, Deputy Court Administrator, Probation Officers, Court Navigators, and Specialists.

The team values:

• Continuous Learning and Improvement: Encouraging growth and innovation.
• Open Communication and Workplace Hospitality: Fostering mutual respect and transparency.
• Trust and Accountability: Promoting autonomy and commitment to shared goals.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Embracing new challenges and approaches.
• Recognition and Celebration: Valuing individual and team achievements.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a licensed attorney with substantial experience in municipal or criminal law. They are deeply committed to restorative and trauma-informed justice practices and possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.

See full qualification information below.

Compensation and Schedule

This part-time role offers competitive compensation with a flexible schedule tailored to the court’s needs and the individual’s availability.

Job Profile

SUMMARY:  

Under general direction of the City Council, and in accordance with the Canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct as adopted by the Supreme Court of Colorado, to adjudicate Municipal Court cases. The Associate Municipal Judge sits as a trial judge of the Boulder Municipal Court to adjudicate traffic, criminal, parking, and other municipal code violations. The Associate Judge works with key stakeholders in the Municipal Court system to ensure effective, and respective municipal processes and collaborates with key leadership on policy issues related to the Court to provide joint policy recommendations to City Council. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Adjudicates civil and criminal cases arising under City Charter, City Code, and other ordinances of the City of Boulder.  This includes the following: 

• Explains the laws and system to offenders.  Evaluates evidence, testimony, and legal briefs.  Issues written findings as necessary. 

• Applies appropriate ordinances, code provisions, and/or regulations.  Imposes fines and penalties as authorized by code or ordinance. Assesses and collects civil penalties. 

• Orders and enforces contempt, failure to appear, abatement of nuisance, and other responsibilities prescribed by charter, code, or ordinance. 

• Acts as hearing officer as needed. 

• Issues inspection and search warrants in accordance with applicable law 

• Assists with selection and supervision of associate judges, temporary referees and law clerks. 

• Coordinates with court administrative supervisor on matters related to court procedures. 

• Presides over the Municipal Court and its functions 

• Administers equitable, fair, and impartial justice in a timely and courteous manner 

• Administers the judicial component of the Municipal Court  

• Provides judicial coverage to ensure efficient and expeditious hearings of all matters scheduled for hearing in the court 

• Collaborates with the Court Administrator, Lead Prosecutor, City Attorney, City Manager, Director of General Services and the Police Chief to develop effective policies and frameworks responsive to community needs, emerging legislation, and technology opportunities 

• Performs such other duties as may be prescribed by the Charter or by the Council 

• Maintains regular and punctual attendance 

• Provides input on the revision and creation of City ordinances relevant to impacts on the court or court procedures. 

• Collaborates with Court Administrator and court staff in developing and refining court policies and procedures as they relate to adjudication. 

• Performs related duties as required by management to meet the needs of the city. 

   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS   

• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.  

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City Council, the City Manager, and the City Attorney 

• Knowledge that can be demonstrated at an extensive level of Colorado rules of evidence and procedure Demonstrate thorough knowledge of local home rule Charter, municipal ordinances, state and federal laws, and constitutional provisions affecting criminal procedure and municipal operations 

• Knowledge that can be demonstrated at an extensive level of the principles and procedures of municipal, civil, criminal, and constitutional law 

• Knowledge that can be demonstrated of the Boulder Municipal Code, Colorado Rules of Evidence, the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Colorado Rules of Municipal Procedure, and the general ordinance, statutory, and case law in Colorado 

• Valid Colorado driver's license and acceptable motor vehicle record.  

• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal history.  

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• One (1) to two (2) years of experience as a judge or magistrate in Colorado 

• Extensive municipal law experience  

• Extensive knowledge of Colorado law 

• Extensive experience as a practicing attorney 

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university or college 

• Graduation from a nationally accredited law school  

• Licensed member of the Colorado State Bar Association in good standing 

• At least five (5) years of experience presiding over or advocating in municipal or criminal court proceedings. 

• Ability to acquire and maintain Colorado Bureau of Investigation operator security number.   

SUPERVISION  

Supervision Received:  Presiding Judge 

Supervision Exercised: None 

  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS      

Physical and Mental Effort: 

This is primarily sedentary office work. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office when needed. The position requires a great deal of communication with City employees, the public, and outside agencies. 

 Work Environment: 

 Work is constantly performed indoors. Will have periods of high activity, extended work hours and demanding conditions. 

Machines and Equipment Used: Personal computer, telephone, photocopy machine, facsimile machine, and calculator. 

Additional Job Description:

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.