Magistrate

6 days ago

Bacoor, Calabarzon, Philippines Grand Traverse County Full time $60,000 - $120,000 per year

Grand Traverse County is a team of passionate and incredible people who are committed to providing responsive, effective quality service to our up-north community.  We strive to be a leader in innovative, effective, collaborative, and sustainable county government.  We offer stable work environments and competitive salaries to both full- time and part-time employees.  Understanding the many challenges facing today's professionals and families, we offer a competitive compensation package including an impressive list of benefits and time off.

Job Description:

Primary function of the job is to handle all traffic related matters within the court system, accepting admissions and pleas and sentencing. Conducts arraignments for individuals charged with offenses of State laws and local ordinances. Set bond on individuals in custody when appropriate. Reviews and authorizes arrest and search warrants. Must be willing to be on call 24/7 in Grand Traverse County for all Grand Traverse County related work and cover Leelanau and Antrim Counties in the absence of that magistrate. Must be willing to cover all three counties on a rotational basis for weekend and holiday coverage for bond setting and search warrants. Serves in a quasi-judicial role. Must adhere to judicial code of ethics. May not practice law in the 86th District Court.

Employees must meet the minimum requirements, conditions of employment, and be able to successfully perform all essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations.

This position may require irregular hours. It may also require travel by the employee in the employee's own vehicle.  Required to work on-call and in an emergency.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but are not limited to the following)

  • Conducts arraignments on first appearance, bench warrants and probation violations, sets bonds, schedules next court dates.

  • Facilitates first appearance of defendants in all criminal cases, arraigns and sets related bonds.

  • Arraigns and sentences upon pleas of guilty or no contest for violations of law for which Magistrates are authorized by statute and the Chief Judge.

  • Collaborates with the Court Administrator and management team in coordinating the proper handling of court cases.

  • Presides over discovery exams.

  • Conducts probable cause conferences.

  • Issues arrest and search warrants and sets bonds.

  • Maintains records and ensures proper disposition of all cases processed.

  • Performs civil marriage ceremonies.

  • Presides over civil infractions, administers oaths, examines witnesses and makes findings of fact and conclusions of law.

EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE (minimum requirements)    

  • Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field.

  • Juris Doctorate Degree not required

  • Four to six years' experience with exposure to the legal field, in a court system as a paralegal or other experience in the criminal justice field.

  • Continuing education as required by the State Court Administrators Office.

  • Must be able to obtain certification by the Michigan Supreme Court to conduct informal hearings.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES

  • Requires a valid driver's license and personal vehicle insurance and must maintain eligibility to drive as per the County's Vehicle policy

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (minimum requirements - legal or contractual pre- employment obligations and/or requirements, such as drug testing, background check, etc.)

Appointment to or continued employment in this job is contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include, but is not limited to: periodic background check; confirmation of a persons' identity; review of criminal conviction records; verification of educational degree, license, or certificate required for the position; review of Department of Motor Vehicles records; Department of Justice fingerprint scan; and/or drug and alcohol testing as required and allowable by law. A satisfactory background check is defined as the absence of a criminal history record which bears a demonstrable relationship to the applicant's or employee's suitability to perform the required duties and responsibilities of the position. Must be a registered voter of Grand Traverse, Leelanau, or Antrim County prior to appointment.

Required to serve in an "on-call" capacity

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Work involves the origination of models, concepts, theories that are new to the field, and where no prototype exists in the overall organization. Few, if any, guidelines exist. Leadership, judgment, and risk management skills are needed to deal with largely undefined issues or to find solutions to unyielding problems. Errors at this level could lead to extraordinary costs, major litigation, destruction of property, loss of funding, or failure of the agency to accomplish its mission and may require the intervention of the Judges or County's senior executives to resolve or may not be resolvable.

This job is not part of a series

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • May be required to reach with hands and arms; sit; stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, or feel.

  • Work is performed in an office environment.

  • May be exposed to infectious diseases and/or criminal suspects or prison inmates.

  • May be required to lift/move up to 50 pounds (such as a box of paper)

  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, COMPETENCIES (minimum requirements)

  • Advanced knowledge of court rules, applicable laws, policies and procedures

  • Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and simple mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, ratios, etc.

  • Proficiency in the development of appropriate written correspondence and reports

  • Skill in use of personal computer software, including word processing

  • Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with customers, co-workers, and representatives of other agencies.

  • Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment

  • Ability to think analytically and apply sound judgment, solve problems, make effective decisions, and act with integrity

  • Ability to explain complex policies and processes in layman's terms

  • Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries

  • Able to use County resources effectively and efficiently

Compensation:

Grand Traverse County is a great place to live, work and play. Come join our team and experience what northern Michigan is all about, apply today

You really should see what we have to offer: 

  • Medical: The County offers employees a high-deductible plan through Priority Health. To help cover the cost of the deductible, Grand Traverse County will deposit a contribution amount up to $2,000 into an employee Health Savings Account every year.  You may also direct deposit funds into this account every pay period.
  • Vision: The County provides a no cost plan for employees. We also offer an enhanced plan through EyeMed.  
  • Dental: Our dental insurance provider is Delta Dental. You will pay no costs or premium for diagnostic and cleaning services. 
  • Wellness: Grand Traverse County is committed to creating a culture of health. We provide a variety of incentives and programs that allow you to live a healthy lifestyle. 
  • Employee Recognition: We highly value our employees, which we show by providing our employees awards and recognition throughout the year, and on anniversary dates.
  • Tuition Reimbursement: Employees are reimbursed up to $5,250 annually for enrollment in courses at an accredited college, university, or trade school. 
  • Vacation: Grand Traverse County provides a generous amount of vacation days to benefitted employees so you can spend time with family and friends. 
  • Holidays: The County gives you 12 days a year to celebrate holidays. Beyond these 12 days, you will receive additional floating holidays to use at your discretion. 
  • Personal Leave: Employees receive up to 72 hours annually depending on contract, to use for appointments, take care of family needs and other personal reasons. Employees are paid every year for unused personal leave up to 40 hours. 
  • Parental Leave: Employees may take up to 6 months of leave to begin at birth or date of adoption of their child. 
  • Retirement: Grand Traverse County offers a defined contribution through MERS. The plan includes a generous match that fully vests after 6 years of employment. We also offer a deferred compensation 457b Plan.  
  • Life Insurance: Benefitted employees automatically receive life insurance. 
  • Short Term Disability: The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays two thirds of your salary or wages for a maximum of 182 days.
  • Long Term Disability: The County provides a plan through Mutual of Omaha, which pays 60 percent of your salary or wages for a maximum of 24 months.