County Criminal Court At Law #2 - Associate Judge

County of El Paso•Tx 79901, TX

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Judge for the DWI Court Treatment Program presides over a specialized docket designed to reduce repeat impaired-driving offenses through treatment, accountability, and structured judicial supervision. The judge works closely with a multidisciplinary team to support participant sobriety, enhance public safety, and promote long-term behavior change. Must have commitment to therapeutic jurisprudence, public safety, and evidence-based practices. The Associate Judge, under minimal direction from the assigned supervisory Judge and in accordance with the laws, exercises discretion in determining whether individuals should be held in contempt for failing to appear when summoned for jury service, performs highly advanced hearings and orders judgments to be made in cases. The incumbent adheres to Council of Judges Administration, Associate Judges guidelines, Local Rules and Code of Judicial Conduct.

Requirements

Licensed attorney in good standing with the State of Texas
At least four (4) years of experience in the practice of law in Texas
Must have lived in El Paso during the preceding 12 months
Must be a resident of Texas
Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and in accordance with the applicable requirements as listed in the Texas Government Code Section 54A
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso
In order to access the County’s network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date
Knowledge of: Texas State Law and County of El Paso Ordinances; court protocols and procedures; working knowledge of the Odyssey software; principles and practices of administrative management; the principles and practices of effective customer service; principles and practices of effective employee supervision; County organization, operations, policies and procedures; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products
Skill/Ability to: adjudicate a significant volume of cases promptly and efficiently; clearly and concisely explain pertinent legal information to affected parties; fairly and impartially enforce judicial authority; have compassion, maturity, and foresight to understand the potential impact of their decisions and act accordingly; work with attorneys in high-conflict situations; operate a personal computer and various software applications; conduct research, develop appropriate documentation, assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands to meet scheduled requirements; establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and customers to promote and support a productive work environment; work efficiently independently and in a team environment to meet established goals and objectives; communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to respond effectively to customers and staff; exercise initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines in performance of daily duties; responding effectively to customers; assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands; reading, interpreting, and communicating instructions; compilation, analysis, and presentation of statistical information; use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; complete projects on time and within budget; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records, maintain filing systems, compile and organize information; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; promote program activities; make mathematical computations; prepare clear, concise and comprehensive written reports, and staff studies; schedule, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff; and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work
Pass a background investigation
Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance
Work well with others and participate fully in a team-oriented environment
Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner
Maintain strict confidentiality
Project positive support of their department and all organizations receiving El Paso County service at all times
Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence

Nice To Haves

Depending on area assigned: DWI laws, alcohol use disorder treatment, ignition interlock systems, and problem solving court models
Depending on area assigned: must be bilingual in English/Spanish

Responsibilities

Schedules and holds prehearings and hearings and concludes them expeditiously
Issues summons for the appearance of witnesses, orders, and writs
Researches applicable law for rulings
Reviews pleadings, motions, etc. and the writing of rulings and order on matters presented to the Court
Conducts hearings involving varied legal, procedural, and technical issues
Administers oaths, examines witnesses, compels production of relevant evidence, and rules on evidence
Analyzes testimony and other evidence, applying all pertinent law, rules and policies to a case
Formulate finding of fact and conclusions of law and recommend the rulings, orders or judgment to be made in a case
Complies and maintains record of evidence, ensuring proper handling of matters for appeal, confidentiality and other considerations
Conforms to court policies regarding exporter communications and ethics matters
Prepares and submits data and/and/or reports
Regulates all proceedings in a hearing
Perform acts and take measures necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the duties required by the order of referral and the Associate Judges guidelines
Makes written recommendations of orders to be rendered in a case
As directed may compile statistics
May supervise department employees, including assigning and reviewing work, training, completing performance evaluations, and making recommendations on hiring, terminating, and disciplining personnel
May select, and motivates department staff; provides or coordinates training and works with employees to correct deficiencies
Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate-level staff, the department work plan; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures
Provides support, mentors, transfers knowledge, and skills to staff at all technical levels in a team environment to meet established goals and objectives
Makes recommendations on budget items
Makes recommendations on policy
Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions
Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field
Uphold judicial ethics, fairness, and professionalism in all interactions
May travel occasionally for required training, conferences, or community engagement
Presides over jury duty dockets; screens all requests for jury duty exemptions due to health or hardship
Signs all judgements, affidavits, medical forms (permanent or temporary), and other applicable documents of the Jury Duty Court
Conducts all other Jury Duty Court business requiring a judicial officer
Notifies the assigned supervisory judge and the Council of Judges Administration Office on leave that impacts the operations of the Jury Duty Court to ensure coverage of the docket
Presides over all DWI Court hearings, including participant orientation, status review dockets, phase advancement hearings, sanctions and incentives reviews, and graduation proceedings
Makes judicial determinations regarding participant eligibility, compliance, treatment engagement, phase movement, and program completion
Reviews reports on alcohol testing results, ignition interlock compliance, treatment attendance, supervision updates, and case progress
Issues judicial orders related to treatment participation, alcohol monitoring requirements, ignition interlock usage, community service, curfews, sanctions, and other supervision conditions
Applies evidence-based practices tailored to DWI Court operations, including structured accountability, graduated sanctions, and recovery focused incentives
Participates in regular staffing meetings with the DWI Court team to discuss participant progress and determine coordinated responses
Collaborates with probation departments, treatment providers, ignition interlock vendors, law enforcement, and community partners
Maintains a courtroom environment that balances public safety with therapeutic engagement and support for recovery
Ensures compliance with all relevant laws, court rules, program policies, and statewide Specialty Court or DWI Court standards
Promotes the mission of the DWI Court by engaging in community education, stakeholder meetings, and professional development as needed
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned
Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts
Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills
Maintains a safe and healthy workplace environment
As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train in emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor