Hearings Referee

State of Oregon • Oregon City, OR

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) is seeking a Part-Time Hearings Referee for the Clackamas County Circuit Court. This limited-duration position, funded through June 30, 2027, involves presiding over a variety of legal matters including family law hearings, juvenile proceedings, and civil commitment hearings. The role requires conducting hearings, investigating facts, examining evidence, instructing parties on legal rights and procedures, making findings of fact, applying law, and issuing judicial orders and judgments. The Hearings Referee will work with both represented and self-represented litigants, ensuring proceedings are conducted clearly, fairly, and in accordance with the law. Assigned tasks may be adjusted based on workload and organizational needs. OJD is committed to serving the public and values candidates who want to impact their communities, remove barriers to access justice, and interact with the public. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply and consider relevant work experience, education, and transferable skills.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Five (5) years of experience as a trial attorney in criminal, civil, or family litigation.
• Currently approved by the Oregon Supreme Court to sit as a Circuit Court Judge pro tempore OR must be approved and complete the process to sit as an Oregon Circuit Court Judge pro tempore within 60 calendar days of the date of hire.
• Active member of the Oregon State Bar in good standing for a period of at least three years.
• Knowledge of statutes, case law, and procedures applicable to the types of matters commonly assigned to a hearings referee (e.g. family law, juvenile matters, and civil commitment).
• Knowledge of the rules of evidence and procedure, including how you have used them in practice and how you would apply them when making rulings.
• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills, including examples from past work and how you would use these skills to explain rulings, rights, and procedures.
• Strong legal research and analysis skills, including the ability to identify legal issues quickly and how you would apply those skills in time-sensitive hearing settings.
• Experience using computer programs and court-related systems to search, enter, and maintain information.
• Skill in understanding, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, regulations, and policies accurately and consistently.
• Skill in working respectfully and professionally with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who may be unfamiliar with court processes or who may be angry, distraught, or confused.
• Skill in managing a courtroom or hearing setting effectively or experience that show how you would maintain order, guide proceedings, and ensure procedural fairness.
• Commitment to impartiality and access to justice, including how you have demonstrated fairness in past roles and how you would ensure that all parties are heard and treated consistently in your courtroom.
• A cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, Special Qualifications, and Requested Skills and Attributes.
• A completed work history, either by completing the Job History (internal candidate) or Work Experience (external candidate) portion of your Workday profile OR by attaching an updated resume.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual skills (includes ASL) may receive a 5% allowance if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job.

Responsibilities

• Preside over a wide variety of legal matters that may include family law hearings, juvenile proceedings, civil commitment hearings, and other cases as assigned.
• Conduct hearings or trials on assigned cases.
• Investigate the facts of the case by hearing testimony and examining evidence.
• Instruct parties on legal rights and procedures as required by law.
• Make findings of fact and apply applicable law to those facts.
• Issue judicial orders and judgments.
• Work with both represented and self‑represented litigants, ensuring that all proceedings are conducted clearly, fairly, and in accordance with the law.
• Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.

Benefits

• 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees [OR up to 99% of medical insurance premiums for part-time employees], including mental health coverage.
• 10 paid holidays.
• 2 floating holidays.
• 3 personal business days.
• Separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees).
• Optional insurances.
• Flexible spending plans.
• 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree