16th Judicial Circuit

Job Description


 

Job Title: Magistrate
Department:Court Administration
Reports To:Trial Court Administrator
FLSA StatusExempt
Prepared By:Holly Elomina
Prepared Date:08/08/2023
Approved Date:08/10/2023

                                                 

Summary

The essential function of the position within the organization is to conduct hearings and make

recommendations on matters referred for hearing by judges in all three geographic areas of the 16th Judicial Circuit.  The position is responsible for setting referred cases for hearing, conducting hearings, making determinations on cases, and preparing findings and recommendations for the parties and the referring judge’s consideration.

 

Although the position is under the administrative supervision of the Trial Court Administrator, all work product is reviewed by the individual judges in the Family, Circuit Civil, Probate and Mental Health Divisions.  The person in this position must have independent judgment, consistent job performance, reliability, and excellent organizational and communication skills.  The position works independently, but has regular meetings with the Trial Court Administrator, Director of Case Management and individual judges.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.


  • Schedule cases and conduct hearings in compliance with applicable regulations and laws;
  • Take and evaluate evidence and testimony from witnesses and technical experts; make legal factual recommendations; make rulings on pretrial and post judgment motions to include discovery, dismissal, motions for relief, clarification and rehearings;
  • Review judge’s order of Referral to Magistrate and conduct legal research in preparation for hearings in Family, Circuit Civil, Probate and Mental Health Divisions;
  • Review pleadings and documents submitted by attorneys; consider/analyze related research and information presented at hearings to make case determinations in the form of a recommended order to the court.
  • Prepare case reports and recommendations with accompanying orders for judges’ signature at the conclusion of hearings;
  • Perform case management duties on referred Family, Circuit Civil, Probate and Mental Health matters;
  • Attend technical or professional classes, workshops, seminars or meetings to improve technical or professional skills and to exchange information.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Knowledge of the Florida State Court System and the trial court process; Ability to communicate effectively; Ability to perform extensive legal research; Ability to use independent judgment and discretion and maintain confidentiality of sensitive issues; Ability to prepare and present comprehensive reports; Ability to establish working relationships with judges, court personnel, clerk of court personnel, attorneys, local organizations and social service agencies and the general public; Knowledge of computer applications such as the Microsoft Office Suite products; Ability to make decisions with moderately serious impact; Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and be highly organized.


Education and/or Experience

A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of five years of work experience in the practice of law.


Language Skills

 Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.  Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.  Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.  Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.


Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.


Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.


Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Florida Driver's license, Member of the Florida bar in good standing.


Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus to develop visual presentations for targeted audiences.


Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.