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Department:

Court Administration

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Join Our Team as a Civil Magistrate! We’re looking for a skilled legal professional to serve as a Civil Magistrate, responsible for conducting hearings, making case determinations, and preparing recommended orders on referred civil matters. This role also includes presiding over weekly Baker Act and Marchman Act hearings and supervising one Administrative Assistant II.

If you have strong knowledge of civil procedure, courtroom processes, and legal writing, and are proficient in Microsoft Word, we encourage you to apply. Familiarity with the Code of Judicial Conduct and judicial ethics is essential. Apply today for a career known for making a meaningful impact in the court system!

About the Position

In this role, you will...

+ Review judges’ referrals, legal motions, and conduct legal research for civil case hearings.

+ Schedule and preside over civil hearings in accordance with laws and regulations.

+ Collect and evaluate evidence and testimony presented during hearings.

+ Analyze legal research and hearing materials to determine case outcomes.

+ Rule on pretrial and post-judgment motions, including those on discovery and pleadings.

+ Draft and issue Recommended Orders following hearings.

+ Conduct hearings related to the Baker Act and Marchman Act.

+ Review and sign attorney-submitted orders and stay informed on legal updates and case law.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

+ Full-time, 40 hours per week.

+ Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ( no weekends! )

About You

To be considered for this role, you must have the following:

+ Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school -with- a minimum of five (5) years of legal practice experience, including at least one year in civil law.

+ Active membership in good standing with the Florida Bar

+ Valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.

+ In-depth knowledge of the legal system, civil procedure, and evidentiary/discovery matters, along with the ability to write clear, fact-based legal orders.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.

+ Prior experience as a magistrate.

+ Proficient in Microsoft Word and tech-savvy; strong attention to detail and the ability to draft recommended legal orders.

+ Familiarity with the Code of Judicial Conduct (especially Canons 1, 2A, and 3) and related judicial ethics opinions.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five years.

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move 20 lbs.

CJIS Clearance: The successful candidate will be subject to an extensive background check(s) as a part of the hiring process.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $102,000.00 annually.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents (http://www.scgov.net/home/showpublisheddocument/66596/638617478290291353) . You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

+ If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)

Benefits:

+ Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! C hoose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!

+ For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net (https://www.scgov.net/government/human-resources/employee-health-and-benefits) for additional information.

+ Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.

+ Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.