Magistrate (Family/Guardianship) Collier County

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS FOR THE 20TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT?

• Great working environment
• Growth and Development Opportunities
• Competitive Benefits Package
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualifying Employer
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan Options
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans 

SUMMARY  

This is a professional and responsible quasi-judicial position assigned to Family Court and Guardianship. The Magistrate will perform a variety of duties including deciding the merits of a case, hearing and evaluating evidence, analyzing laws and rules, making findings of fact and conclusions of law, and issuing oral or written decisions to resolve cases. The position requires legal conduct appropriate to the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration and research activities at the trial court level in matters referred by the Family and Civil Judges. The Magistrate will conduct hearings and trials that involve considerable interpretation and judgment in the analysis of legal issues. The Magistrate is responsible for timely preparing and filing reports that include findings of fact, recommendations and conclusions of law. This position is required to report monthly statistics, meet court performance standards and perform administrative duties directly related to the activities of a Magistrate. The Magistrate serves as an integral member of the 20th Judicial Circuit Court's case management team and uses differentiated case management techniques and time standards to guide family court cases to early resolution and disposition. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Judge, Administrative Judge, Family Law Judges and Family/Civil Court Director.

 
The core functions of this position include the following: (1) Schedule and conduct hearings and trials; (2) Perform legal research, analysis and writing; (3) Prepare reports and recommendations; (4) Manage caseload; (5) Other duties as assigned.
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are normal for this position.  The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

(1) Schedule and Conduct Hearings and Trials

• Schedule and conduct trials and hearings in matters referred by the Judge which includes civil court matters, Baker Act and Marchman Act proceedings
• Administer oaths and evaluate evidence
• Manage court proceedings and dockets to timely progress cases

(2) Perform Legal Research, Analysis and Writing

• Prepare reports, draft orders, review briefs and research substantive and procedural issues
• Research the application and interpretation of the Florida Rules of Court and Rules of Judicial Administration
• Perform research on particular questions of law as presented by judges sitting in the civil and/or family division of the court
• Research and track legislation applicable to civil/family court
• Conduct legal research and provide case recommendations and conclusion of law

(3) Prepare Reports and Recommendations

• Prepare Magistrate reports that include findings of fact, recommendations and conclusions of law
• Interpret and make judgments on legal issues
• Type, format and prepare court reports

(4) Manage Caseload

• Work closely with case management teams to manage the progress of cases
• Conduct conferences and status review hearings
• Utilize differentiated case management techniques
• Review and monitor the court caseload to determine appropriate case paths

(5) Other 

• Attend meetings, training, and educational seminars as required
• Compile statistical information and prepare reports
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities satisfactorily.  The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  A full-time Magistrate cannot have a law practice while employed with the Administrative Office of the Courts.  Part-time or on-call Magistrate positions cannot maintain a law practice in the same area of law in which they perform Magistrate functions or in any area of law which would create any appearance of impropriety or any potential conflict of interest.

Knowledge of:

• General legal principles, statutes, case law, court rules, and procedures
• Legal publications and legal research tools and the ability to use them efficiently
• Legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures
• Differentiated  case management principles and techniques
• Code of Judicial Conduct
• Florida State Courts System

Skills:

• Manual legal research
• Computerized legal research, including Westlaw and/or Lexis-Nexis
• Legal writing and drafting

Ability to:

• Reason logically and analytically
• Grasp, comprehend, and analyze complex legal issues and complicated factual details
• Effectively conduct hearings and trials
• Type and prepare reports
• Exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and honesty in handling matters before the court
• Communicate ideas and concepts effectively verbally and in writing
• Work effectively with others
• Conduct legal research manually & via the Internet
• Efficiently operate and utilize various computer software programs including but not limited to Microsoft Word, & Outlook
• Perform exacting work, attentive to issues in matters before the court
• Effectively and respectfully handle highly emotional people
• Digest and communicate ideas and concepts orally and in writing
• Exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and honesty in handling matters before the court
• Maintain organization and meet deadlines
• Travel the county and circuit wide to conduct hearings and assist the judiciary, as needed
• Attend meetings, training educational seminars as required

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school
• Five years of experience in the practice of law
• One year of family law experience required (Two or more years of family law preferred)
• Prior judicial/quasi-judicial experience also preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Must be a member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
• A valid Class "E" Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving record is required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None

Salary : $107,550