Job Opening – Magistrate

Please turn in your application, resume, and references to City Clerk Cindy Beshears

Job posting will close on July 18th at 4:00 PM

Job Description

Position Title: Magistrate

Reports to: Court Clerk

Department: Municipal Court

Purpose of Position:

The purpose of this position is to provide clerical support to the court and to exercise authority

as assigned by law to issue warrants, accept pleas, receive and record fines, and perform other

duties as mandated by applicable local, state, and federal law.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or

all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Makes determination for issuance of misdemeanor warrants; issues warrants following procedures

established by law; maintains log of all warrants issued.  Swears in complaints and traffic

citations; dates and records into court following established guidelines; approves surety bonds.

• Receives, records, reviews, composes, and approves legal records, documents, forms and requests;

records, process and forwards records to appropriate departments and agencies; ensures documents

are filed and maintained for ease of retrieval and utilization by the court.

• Balances cash received against receipts daily; researches any errors detected and corrects

accordingly, secures cash in department safe; prepares cash for deposit; compiles, distributes, and

maintains reports for analysis and use by the court.

•  Issues Failure To Appear Notices

• Prepares records of jail time, payments, community service records, defensive driving school and

other court documentation.

• Assists public by providing information; researching court dates.

•  Processes documentation of defendants for first appearance.

• Answers telephone; directs calls to appropriate personnel and/or takes and relays message

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: Must be physically able to operate a variety of office equipment. Must be

able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials. Must be able to exert up to

twenty pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to ten pounds force frequently. Physical demand

requirements at levels of those for sedentary work.

DATA CONCEPTION: Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional,

structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious

standards) of data, people or things.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of informational documentation, directions,

instruction and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write reports with proper format,

punctuation, spelling and grammar.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and

techniques; to make independent judgment io absence of supervision; and to acquire knowledge of

topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures and

to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to utilize the mathematical formulas; add and subtract

totals; determine percentages; determine time and weight.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape,

visually with office equipment.

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using equipment.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control

knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion with

coordinating other hand with different activities.  Must have mioimal levels of eye/hand/foot

coordination.                                ·

COLOR DISCRIMINATION: May require the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal stress with confronted with an

emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking – expressing or

exchanging ideas by means of spoken word). (Hearing – perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

•  Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; reads

professional literature; attends workshops and training sessions.

•  Provides clerical support to the court; maintains office and computer equipment; photocopies and

distributes documents.

•  Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; utilizes word processing,

spreadsheet, database, or other software programs.

•  Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and

citizens.

Marginal Job Functions

•  Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

High School diploma (or GED) required, (Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, Political Science or

related field preferred) with a minimum of one to three years of progressive experience in a legal

department/office; or any equivalent of education, training and experience which provides the

requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position. Must obtain certification as a

Municipal Court Magistrate within six months of employment. Must possess and maintain a valid

Alabama driver’s license.

Knowledge of Job

Has thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and Municipal

Court/Division of City Clerk practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the

position of Magistrate. Has thorough knowledge of the local city ordinances, State Traffic Code,

State Criminal Code and State Code, and legal practices as necessary in the completion of daily

responsibilities. Knows how to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations,

equipment needs, etc., as they pertain to departmental operations and activities. Is able to

effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, members of the general public and all other

groups involved in the activities of the department. Is able to assemble information and make

written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner. Have good organizational,

human relations, and technical skills.  Is able to use independent judgment and work with little

direct supervision when necessary. Has the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations,

procedures, and related information.  Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology, principles,

and methods utilized within the department. Has the mathematical ability to handle required

calculations using percentages and decimals. Is knowledgeable and proficient with computers.

Please turn in your application, resume, and references to City Clerk Cindy Beshears

Job posting will close on July 18th at 4:00 PM