Magistrate

Title: Magistrate

State Role Title: Magistrate

Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Supreme Court

Location: Franklin County Territory

Agency Website: www.vacourts.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Commonwealth of Virginia has an opening for a Magistrate position in Magisterial Region 2. A Magistrate is an independent judicial officer appointed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. A Magistrate must possess a fundamental working knowledge of Virginia law and must demonstrate the ability to impartially and efficiently apply that knowledge in the resolution of legal issues. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting neutral and impartial hearings relating to searches, arrests, bail, temporary detentions, and civil issues
• Conducting legal research and analysis
• Ascertaining facts and applying them to relevant legal principles
• Maintaining order and decorum in highly charged, sensitive circumstances
• Receiving and accounting for money

The work schedule has rotating shifts that include weekends and holidays.

Magisterial Region 2 is comprised of the Counties of Alleghany, Amherst, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Craig, Franklin, Henry, Highland, Nelson, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Roanoke, Rockbridge; and the Cities of Bedford, Buena Vista, Covington, Danville, Lexington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, and Waynesboro. A Magistrate may be required to work throughout a Magisterial Region. The primary assignment for this position will be in the Franklin County area of the 22nd Judicial District.

This position offers a competitive benefits package which includes vacation and sick leave, 12 paid holidays, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, deferred compensation, and short-term and long-term disability.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Excellent English speaking, listening, and writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Computer proficiency
• Citizen of the United States
• Be or become a resident of Virginia prior to appointment
• Meet all the qualifications of a magistrate under Va. Code § 19.2-37

Preferred Qualifications -
• Relevant legal experience, training, or education; and/or
• Virginia State Bar membership

Additional Considerations

• The Canons of Conduct for Virginia Magistrates applies to this position. See http://www.courts.state.va.us/courtadmin/aoc/mag/resources/canons.pdf.
• If not currently certified as a magistrate, the successful candidate must attend an intensive four-week training course, and successfully pass a certification process that includes a written examination and extensive on-the-job training.
• The successful candidate will be required to sign a training repayment agreement, which will require the magistrate to reimburse, pro-rata, the Office of the Executive Secretary for the cost of providing training if the magistrate leaves employment during training or within two years of completing training.
• All candidates are subject to a criminal history background check before being offered employment.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

• Applicants must apply online.
• State application, resume, and cover letter required.
• STATE APPLICATION MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.
• No phone calls or e-mails regarding application status. Only interviewed applicants will be notified of the filling of the position.
• The Virginia Judicial System is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. Applicants who need accommodations for an interview should request this in advance.

Contact Information

Name: Richette Howell

Phone: No calls

Email: humanresources@vacourts.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.