City Magistrate

***Salary is Based on Experience***

"This Position is "Open Until Filled"

SUMMARY: Under administrative direction, directs the operation of the City of Somerton Municipal Court, presides over trials, pre-trial conferences, arraignments, and other hearings, applying relevant laws and ordinances.

Essential Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Directs and oversees administrative, operational, and legal activities of the Municipal Court and renders legal decisions.
• Performs as the Municipal Court liaison with the Superior Court and Arizona Supreme Court.
• Adjudicates/processes misdemeanors, city ordinance violations, and traffic complaints referred to the Court.
• Arraigns defendants, schedules pre-trial conferences, conducts hearings and arraignments, and sentences violators in compliance with case law and Federal/State/local laws, regulations, statutes, codes, and ordinances.
• Receives and grants/denies requests for Search Warrants, petitions for Orders of Protection, Injunctions Against Harassment, and related legal actions.
• Researches and analyzes legal information to facilitate decision-making related to court cases.
• Ensures prompt disposition of cases.
• Conducts legal research to determine the law applicable to a given set of circumstances.
• Evaluates evidence presented to the court and applies existing law in rendering decisions.
• Interprets and applies case law to cases over which the City Magistrate presides.
• Analyzes legal memoranda submitted by attorneys to determine applicability to issue at hand.
• Enters legal decisions into the court file.
• Completes and signs various legal forms.
• Hears cases involving traffic violations, misdemeanors, and Orders of Protection, in order to render decisions.
• Reviews briefs submitted to the court by attorneys, researches applicable case law, and communicates decisions made.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in any combination of training, education and experience providing administrative support, legal counsel, compliance administration or closely related work in a court system, law enforcement or corrections agency.
• Must reside within 25 miles of city limits within the United States.
• Must pass an extensive criminal background check.
• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish)
• This position may require working after hours, weekends and holidays.

Knowledge of:

• Legal principles and precedents and their application.
• The statutory and constitutional law of the State of Arizona.

Skill in:

• Present statements of fact and law through clear communication and logic in written and oral form.
• Define issues, perform legal research, analyze problems, evaluate and make appropriate findings and recommendations.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Licenses & Certifications

• Must have a valid Arizona driver license.
• Must obtain the Arizona Committee on Judicial Education and Training (COJET) within one year of hire and there after required yearly.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Work is performed in an office environment. May occasionally be required to bend, reach, stoop, and lift objects.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person