What are the responsibilities and job description for the Magistrate - Unified Children's Court General Magistrate (County Funded) position at State of Florida?
Requisition No: 862227
Agency: State Courts System
Working Title: Magistrate - Unified Children's Court General Magistrate (County Funded)
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 15110
Salary: $105,441.24
Posting Closing Date: 10/31/2025
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Job Title: Magistrate - Unified Children's Court General Magistrate (County Funded)
Description
Salary is Non-Negotiable. The successful candidate will be hired at the minimum salary. Resume and legal writing sample are required. Preferably, the writing sample should cover Family Law issues. These documents must be uploaded by the closing date. Only completed applications with supporting documents will be considered.
The practice of law is prohibited in all areas.
This position is eligible for a hybrid remote work/onsite schedule after a 90-day period, as outlined by existing Circuit policies and procedures.
Responsibilities
- Reviews orders of referral from judges and presides over court hearings as referred.
- Reviews court calendars and case files prior to scheduling hearings and considering requests for continuances.
- Reviews and listens to testimony of witnesses and argument of counsel; and determines if action cited is supported by facts.
- Hears and evaluates evidence and testimony of witnesses and technical experts.
- Listens to presentation of cases; and rules on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
- Schedules cases and conducts hearings and rules on pre-trial matters; conducts final and post-judgment hearings in person or via Zoom.
- Conducts legal research including searching, reviewing, analyzing, studying and annotating laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs and related legal authorities; keeps abreast of Florida laws.
- Prepares court orders, reports, and recommendations based on evidence and findings and transmit to Judge.
- Attends staff meetings and conferences with Judges, Magistrates and attorneys on disposing of legal matters and other problems that arise in the processing of cases; gives opinions and recommendations.
- Directs and supervises office clerical staff, including organizing, selecting or recommending selection, training, assigning and evaluating work, counseling, or recommending termination; prepares periodic employee performance evaluations; reviews and approves timesheets and leave requests.
- Attends and participates in lectures and workshops. Reviews professional journals and case law to stay updated on regulations and statutes governing family law.
- Performs related work as required in an expeditious manner.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
- Member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
- Five (5) years of experience in the practice of law. Experience in Family Law and/or Juvenile Dependency preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
- Thorough knowledge of state laws and court rulings as they pertain to Family and Juvenile Dependency law.
- Thorough knowledge of general and specific law, state laws, established precedents, and sources of legal reference.
- Thorough knowledge of court procedures, rules of evidence, and trial and courtroom procedures.
- Knowledge of the responsibilities and authority of Hearing Officers.
- Ability to apply legal principles and specialized knowledge to individual cases and problems.
- Ability to conduct legal research.
- Ability to prepare for hearings, review cases, and present materials clearly and logically in oral and written form.
- Ability to calculate child support guidelines.
- Ability to work with litigants, witnesses and attorneys who are in stressful situations.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
- Ability to direct, supervise, select, train, evaluate and counsel office personnel.
- Ability to address and handle sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to utilize computer programs such as, CourtMap, Odyssey, child support guideline analyzer, Microsoft Office Suites to include, but not limited to Word, Outlook, Zoom, and the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS).
- Ability to meet or exceed established court performance measures on setting and conducting hearings, and rendering the ruling and reports.
- Ability to maintain the proper continuing legal education requirements and good standing with the Florida Bar.
- Ability to work and conduct hearings punctually.
Working Conditions:
- Moderate noise; business office setting.
Physical Demands:
- Work involves a significant amount of standing, walking, sitting, talking, listening, balancing, stooping, and reaching with hands and arms; must be able to transfer up to 10 pounds.
Licenses Certifications:
- Member in good standing of the Florida Bar required.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
Salary : $105,441
