City Judge

ANNOUNCEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CITY JUDGE

Legal Department

Hiring Range: $145000 - $215000 DOE

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Grade: Open Range

Full Pay Range: $145000 - $215000

Deadline to Apply: 6/20/2025

Major Benefits for Full-Time Regular Employees:

• A diverse range of complimentary mental health and wellness services is available including an Employee Assistance Program a free subscription to Calm and health coaching.
• Paid time off up to 20 days in first year of employment
• 10 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday per year
• Free employee only coverage for medical dental vision short-term disability and life insurance
• Free family coverage for select medical and dental plans
• Pension and long-term disability through Arizona State Retirement System click here for more details
• Supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation plans and additional life insurance

Position Summary:

This position adjudicates the civil and criminal traffic and criminal misdemeanor violations of Arizona State laws and City code which are cited or filed in the Court; issues protective orders. Responsible for applying relevant Supreme Court Rules state statutes City ordinances and case law when presiding over trials to the court trials to a jury pre-trial conferences arraignments motions and other hearings.

Essential Duties:

The City Judge conducts initial appearances arraignments change of plea proceedings trials (jury and non-jury) sentencings protective order hearings evidentiary hearings and oral arguments; reviews hearings and other matters in formal court setting; responds to correspondence; reviews motions; researches and prepares decisions and opinions; appoints counsel for indigent defendants; enforces State and City established fees and orders and enforces payment of fees.

• Coordinates activities affecting other City departments with the department heads City Manager and Council.
• Provides leadership and management to all assigned City Court staff. Directs staff on difficult projects and interprets the application of practices policy and procedure.
• Directs the work of and manages court staff. Interviews and selects new employees. Provides training instructions and ongoing training needs. Assigns tasks reviews work and prepares performance evaluations. Recommends employee transfers promotions disciplinary action and discharge.
• Provides leadership in the delivery of superior services to City residents and businesses.
• Conducts legal research to determine the law applicable to a given set of circumstances.
• Evaluates evidence presented to the court and applies existing law in rendering decisions. Interprets and applies statutes ordinances and case law to cases over which the City Judge presides. Analyzes legal memoranda submitted by attorneys to determine applicability to issue at hand.
• Informs defendants of their rights and any sentence which may be imposed in a manner which makes the information clearly understandable.
• Enters legal decisions into the court file. Completes and signs various legal forms. Hears cases involving traffic violations misdemeanors and Orders of Protection in order to render decisions. Reviews briefs submitted to the court by attorneys researches applicable case law and communicates decisions made.
• Prepares annual court budget and capital expenditure plans; authorizes requisitions of services equipment and money required for court operations.
• Attends continuing judicial education.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university in law with a minimum of eight (8) years of experience as a lawyer judge or hearing officer in criminal or traffic cases. A minimum of four (4) years of supervisory experience.

Licensing Certification and Other Requirements:

Admission to the Arizona State Bar Association is required.

Employee Core Beliefs

City of Prescott employees should seek to uphold the Citys core beliefs throughout their day-to-day business and with every customer they come in contact with both internal and external. Our core beliefs are: Act with Integrity Work as a Team Have Personal Commitment and Loyalty Solve Problems Take Pride In Excellent Results High Level of Productivity and Being Nice.

Knowledge Skill and Abilities:

• Knowledge of rules of Judicial Conduct (Supreme Court Rule 81); Arizona Rules of Court state statues City ordinances and applicable case law; and court procedures and operations.
• Knowledge of the City and Departments operating requirements policies procedures and practices; and local State and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting fiscal management project management principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of computer software required to perform the essential duties of this position.
• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices & principles.
• Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues defining problems and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Skilled in time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to preside over courtroom hearings including: jury trials trials to the court pre-trial conferences sentencing hearings violation of probation hearings and orders of protection and injunction against harassment petitions.
• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to develop department goals and objectives.
• Ability to plan develop implement and evaluate projects and programs.
• Ability to develop interpret and implement regulations policies procedures written instructions general correspondence and other department specific documents.
• Ability to organize assign and modify the work assignment of others and establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions general correspondence; Federal State and local regulations.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization including Elected Officials.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files reports and conversations within the provisions of open records laws and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
• Ability to work independently and respond quickly and efficiently to various types of cases assigned.
• Ability to engage with persons who are hostile or aggressive posing threatening conditions.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

Physical Demands And Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office environment.
• Must work successfully in a highly visible high-pressure environment
• Observes information and conditions affecting the City Courts interests to determine compliance with the law; must be able to effectively perform required duties.
• Must be able to effectively communicate and have sufficient speaking ability to clearly concisely and effectively communicate in person electronically and over the telephone.

Successful candidate will receive a post-offer pre-employment background screening to include:

• Drug screening
• Motor vehicle records check
• Criminal background screening

City of Prescott Contact Information

201 N. Montezuma Street Suite 207

Prescott AZ 86301

Email:

Website:

Phone: / Fax:

In accordance with A.R.S. 23 - 493 this position has been identified as Safety Sensitive. The City of Prescott is an EEO/ADA reasonable accommodation employer.

Successful candidate will receive a post-offer pre-employment background screening to include: