Associate Judge

City of Beaverton•Griffith Drive Building, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Beaverton Municipal Court is seeking a qualified attorney or judge to be the city’s next Associate Judge. The ideal candidate will demonstrate skill in analyzing and appraising case facts, rules of evidence and procedure, and making decisions promptly and in accordance with the law, court procedures, and court policies. The candidate must maintain judicial impartiality and judicial temperament in cases, as well as a non-discriminatory attitude and behavior regarding race, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Strong communication skills, both oral and written, are essential, as is the ability to work effectively with elected officials, employees, public agencies, and the general public. The role requires operating paperless court software, including real-time data entry while administering a full docket. The candidate must function accurately and effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and demonstrate a commitment to long-term involvement in court programs with a willingness to receive instruction and develop in the job, conforming judicial performance to new and changing evidence-based practices. Expertise using technology, including computers, databases, and video conference technology, is also required. The mission of the Beaverton Municipal Court is to ensure that each person accused of a violation or crime is guaranteed and provided with all constitutional rights to a fair and speedy judicial process in a manner that preserves the dignity and rights of the defendant, victims, and residents of Beaverton while ensuring public safety. The Beaverton Municipal Court is one of the largest municipal courts in the state of Oregon, processing approximately 1,500 misdemeanor cases and 30,000 violations annually, as well as parking citations and city code violations. The court employs approximately 25 staff members and judges also perform weddings. The Beaverton Municipal Court is a court of record, with appeals taken directly to the Oregon Court of Appeals. The court has several specialty programs, including two treatment courts and a restorative justice city diversion program. The B-SOBR (Beaverton Sobriety Opportunity for Beginning Recovery) Program is a nationally recognized sobriety and treatment court focusing on rehabilitation and recovery. The Behavioral Health Court focuses on engaging defendants in mental health treatment in exchange for dismissal of their charges, with a multidisciplinary team meeting twice a month to offer support. This is a full-time, exempt, Management 2 (M2) position with one vacancy. The Associate Judge reports to the Presiding Judge and requires working on-call every three weeks for one-week periods to address law enforcement applications for search warrants, which may involve frequent interruptions of sleep. Applications must be submitted via the City of Beaverton’s online portal with a resume and cover letter.

Requirements

Law degree from an accredited institution (JD or equivalent)
Five years of experience practicing law, including trial experience; or experience as an administrative hearings officer, arbitrator, or judge; or any equivalent combination of education and experience enabling the incumbent to perform the essential functions of the position.
Active member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar.
Ability to pass reference checks and education verification, and satisfy the requirements of a background check, including Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) fingerprints.
Ability to satisfy the requirements of a pre-employment drug screen (urinalysis; includes marijuana).
Within 30 days of hire, the successful candidate will be required to receive CJIS certification.

Nice To Haves

Willingness to receive instruction and develop in the job.
Ability to conform judicial performance to new and changing evidence-based practices.
Expertise using technology, including computers, databases and video conference technology.

Responsibilities

Preside over trials and render judgments for misdemeanors, violations, violations of city ordinances, traffic violations, and any other cases within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court.
Provide for the orderly conduct of proceedings before the court or before its officers.
Preside over pretrial conferences, arraignments, contested motion hearings, traffic hearings, jury and non-jury trials, and various other court hearings as required for the City of Beaverton.
Find defendants “guilty” or “not guilty,” “responsible” or “not responsible,” or “in violation” or “not in violation” in non-jury trial proceedings based upon evidence and impose sentencing as required.
Authorize issuance of search, arrest, and administrative warrants.
Conduct arraignments, set security, review fines, and handle release hearings.
Conduct settlement conferences.
Conduct legal research and write opinions and orders.
Stay current with state and municipal law including changes in statutes, ordinances, and appellate decisions.
Prepare and present continuing legal education classes to court stakeholders.
Attend conferences and training as directed by the Presiding Judge.
Handle court matters and any administrative matter as assigned by the Presiding Judge.
Perform weddings when scheduled through the court.
Work collaboratively with all judges, court administrator, and supervisors on judicial economy, strategizing efficiency of court dockets and operations.
Participate in city and court related trainings and programs, including attending court-funded conferences.
Facilitate and execute a positive and supportive work environment with a culture of inclusion, teamwork, and communication.
Contribute to promoting organizational values, including engagement and belonging; support a culture of accountability within the organization through personal and professional development.
Additional duties are outlined in the Associate Judge class specification.

Benefits

The city pays the full retirement contribution to the Oregon Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) including the employee portion
Opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation retirement plan
Public service loan forgiveness program
Tuition reimbursement program
Excellent health, dental, vision and life insurance coverage
Excellent paid time off (PTO) accrual
PTO cash-out options
Wellness programs and incentives
Employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA
Paid Continuing Legal Education that includes Judge Conferences twice per year, live trainings, and webinars
Oregon State Bar annual dues
Membership in the Oregon Judges Association