What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Municipal Judge position at City of Fort Collins?
POSITION TITLE: Assistant Municipal Judge (Hourly)
REQUISITION #: req8627
DEPARTMENT: Municipal Court
LOCATION: 215 OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
HOURLY RATE: $110.00 per hour
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 10/1/2026 .
The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check required .
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure
Job Summary
An Assistant Municipal Judge is appointed by the Fort Collins City Council. The Assistant Judge presides over the municipal court docket as needed when the Chief Judge is unavailable or when two judges are necessary based on the size of the docket. An Assistant Municipal Judge may act in the capacity of a Municipal Court Referee and hear municipal court ordinance violations, parking violations, non-pointed traffic type cases (Camera Radar/Red Light cases) and review any costs of abatement pursuant to civil infraction provisions of the City Code. The municipal court docket includes civil infractions, traffic infractions, petty offenses, traffic misdemeanors, animal cases, parking cases, and misdemeanors. An assistant judge may preside over any type of docket or trial, including arraignments, pretrial conferences, in-custody hearings, pretrial readiness hearings, show cause hearings, court trials, jury trials, and any other hearing set on the docket. Assistant judges also review and rule on motions and documents relating to cases to which they are assigned or in which the Chief Judge has a conflict. Assistant judges are invited, but not required, to attend scheduled judges’ meetings. Assistant judges may, from time to time, be assigned to specific cases or appeals.
The ideal candidate must have a genuine desire to serve the community of Fort Collins by providing the highest possible level of service. It is fundamental to administer equitable, fair, and impartial justice in a timely and respectful manner; protect fundamental rights; promote public safety; and facilitate community reparation.
Judicial Duties
Notice Regarding Medical And/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
Post Offer Background Check Required.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
REQUISITION #: req8627
DEPARTMENT: Municipal Court
LOCATION: 215 OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
HOURLY RATE: $110.00 per hour
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 10/1/2026 .
The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check required .
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure
Job Summary
An Assistant Municipal Judge is appointed by the Fort Collins City Council. The Assistant Judge presides over the municipal court docket as needed when the Chief Judge is unavailable or when two judges are necessary based on the size of the docket. An Assistant Municipal Judge may act in the capacity of a Municipal Court Referee and hear municipal court ordinance violations, parking violations, non-pointed traffic type cases (Camera Radar/Red Light cases) and review any costs of abatement pursuant to civil infraction provisions of the City Code. The municipal court docket includes civil infractions, traffic infractions, petty offenses, traffic misdemeanors, animal cases, parking cases, and misdemeanors. An assistant judge may preside over any type of docket or trial, including arraignments, pretrial conferences, in-custody hearings, pretrial readiness hearings, show cause hearings, court trials, jury trials, and any other hearing set on the docket. Assistant judges also review and rule on motions and documents relating to cases to which they are assigned or in which the Chief Judge has a conflict. Assistant judges are invited, but not required, to attend scheduled judges’ meetings. Assistant judges may, from time to time, be assigned to specific cases or appeals.
The ideal candidate must have a genuine desire to serve the community of Fort Collins by providing the highest possible level of service. It is fundamental to administer equitable, fair, and impartial justice in a timely and respectful manner; protect fundamental rights; promote public safety; and facilitate community reparation.
Judicial Duties
- Conducts hearings/trials in an efficient and appropriate manner. Advise defendants of their rights, administers oath and affirmations, rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony, examines evidence and interprets applicable law, enforces orders, rules, and judgments in compliance with all applicable law.
- Imposes fines and sentences upon finding of guilty/liable or responsibility according to City Code, and state and federal law. Designs and implements appropriate and creative penalties. Enforces penalties consistently, according to City Code and Charter as well as state law.
- Protects and preserves the court record to ensure that the City and defendants have a record on which to appeal, if necessary.
- Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
- Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
- A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
- A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
- Excellent communications skills-written, verbal, and interpersonal; able to exhibit presence in various settings, tailor communication style to diverse audiences, and present complex information in a clear, diplomatic, and understandable manner.
- Able to balance confidence and humility.
- Demonstrated confidence in rendering decisive, well-founded factual findings, legal opinions and sentencing without regard to popularity of decision
- Possesses judicial temperament with respect to attentiveness, patience, impartiality, promptness, and courtesy.
- Confidence in making sound judgments and exhibiting patience when dealing with stressful situations
- Unquestionable personal integrity, character, and conviction
- Strong attention to detail.
- A Juris Doctorate degree from a nationally accredited school of law.
- Licensed to practice law in Colorado, and in good standing with the Colorado Supreme Court
- Five years legal or judicial experience. Experience in municipal law or criminal law is preferred.
- Knowledge of Colorado Law, the Colorado Municipal Court Rules of Procedure, and Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure.
- Knowledge of Fort Collins City Charter, City Code, and City Traffic Code.
Notice Regarding Medical And/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
Post Offer Background Check Required.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
Salary : $110