Associate Judge

York County Government; South Carolina; On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Part time

Job summary

York County Government seeks a temporary, part-time Associate Probate Judge for 12 weeks (~25 hours per week) with potential for full-time conversion. The role requires strong probate knowledge and the ability to preside over civil commitments and related guardianship matters, while ensuring constitutional protections and orderly court operations.

Ideal candidate holds a Juris Doctorate or significant legal experience; non-lawyer candidates with substantial legal exposure may be considered.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate Degree or four years of legal experience in probate administration/litigation.
• Notary Public Commission and annual Judicial CPE are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Presides over civil commitments court hearings for mental health and chemical dependency proceedings.
• Interprets and applies state laws to protect litigants’ rights.
• Issues Orders after hearings with consideration of health, safety, and guardianship scenarios.
• Reviews filings related to guardianships, conservatorships, and related matters.
• Coordinates with guardians, attorneys, and Elected Judge to schedule hearings and ensure compliance.
• Audits active guardian/conservator files and related accounts.

Skills

Legal experience

Education

Juris Doctorate Degree

Notary Public Commission

Job description

Mission Statement

– York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement

– York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

Core Values - Excellence through Professionalism

• Respect -respect builds bridges, not silos. How we live it? Golden rule - treat others as you want to be treated.
• Dedicated- strong work ethic. How we live it? Persistence, reliability and commitment to do your best.
• Integrity- do the right thing instead of what is convenient. How we live it? Displaying strong moral principles.
• Knowledgeable- ready and able. How we live it? Having the right competencies necessary for achievement.
• Friendly- service with a smile. How we live it? Being respectful, pleasant and helpful to ALL.

We are hiring a temporary, part-time exempt Associate Probate Judge for a period of 12 weeks (6 biweekly pay periods) working approximately 25 hours per week ending January 5, 2027. The new associate will have a range of duties handling estates, guardianships and conservatorships, and involuntary commitment proceedings. The purpose of this position is to perform complex judicial and administrative duties in support of the effective and efficient operation of the Probate Court; to be knowledgeable of the SC Probate Code of Laws, SC Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rules of Evidence. The associate judge must be resident of York County. The ideal candidate will have a law degree from an accredited law school. The Court will consider non-lawyer candidates provided the person has a significant amount of legal experience such as working in a law firm, another court, or a state or local agency. When the temporary, part-time period closes, the employee may be offered a full-time associate judge position.

Projected Salary/Pay Grade 118:

$11,936.24 for the 12-week period (6 biweekly pay periods) working approximately 25 hours per week, salary is determined based on qualifications.

Our Total Compensation Package:

• Compensation – competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans - optional enrollment
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance - optional enrollment
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences
• Under "Benefits" tab, temporary benefits are applicable

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Presides over civil commitments court hearings for emergency and judicial (non-emergency) mental health and chemical dependency proceedings, supplemental proceedings, and rule to show cause proceedings.
• Interprets, enforces, and implement applicable state laws to ensure that the Constitutional and statutory protections are afforded to the litigants.
• Prepares and issues Orders after Court hearings. Exercises independent judgment in considering testimony pertaining to the health concerns of Respondents, availability of Department of Mental Health and other community assistance, homicide and suicide risk, risk of neglect or abuse, and any context of complex legal and family situations to determine which of the statutorily-provided options should properly be ordered.
• Reviews all litigation filings pertaining to adult guardianships, adult conservatorships, minor conservatorships, minor settlements, trust actions, actions pertaining to powers of attorney, and minor conservatorship actions.
• Presides over conservatorship proceedings for minors and uncontested guardianship and conservatorship proceedings with adults with the discretion of the elected judge.
• Coordinates with out-of-state interested parties regarding transfers or registrations of guardianship or conservatorships.
• Communicates with litigants and issues Orders dismissing stale cases.
• Assists the elected Judge by ensuring that the matters the elected Judge will hear are properly set for hearings and conferences with the elected Judge regarding any special or complex legal issues in forthcoming matters.
• Supervises the post-litigation filings required to open an active guardianship or conservatorship, such as restricted account agreements, oaths of fiduciary, certificates, plans of care, inventory and appraisements, payment of attorney and guardian ad litem fees, financial plans, and designation of agents.
• Supervises emergency filings in mental health and chemical dependency proceedings. Issues mental health and chemical dependency detention Orders or dismissals when on-call.
• Coordinates and communicates with attorneys, guardian ad litems, the Department of Mental Health, local law enforcement, and local health care facilities to ensure that Constitutional and statutory protections are followed, confidentiality is protected, and (as far as possible) that public safety is maintained at every step of an emergency proceeding.
• Supervises all judicial (non-emergency) filings in mental health and chemical dependency matters.
• Reviews the administration of guardianships, adult conservatorships, trust accountings, and minor conservatorships upon completion of litigation until the matters are dismissed.
• Reviews all yearly guardian reports, conservator reports, trust accountings, and minor conservatorship accountings.
• Supervises expenditures in conservatorship and minor conservatorship cases. Communicates with guardians, conservators, trustees, wards, protected persons, and interested persons as needed to facilitate corrections.
• Coordinates with the elected Judge in scheduling and/or presiding over supplemental or rule to show cause proceedings to ensure fiduciaries comply with statutory requirements.
• Audits all active files to determine that fiduciaries have complied with their statutory requirements.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate Degree or four (4) years of legal experience in probate administration and litigation, or another court or state/local agency; or related field.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Notary Public Commission.
• 15 hours of accredited Judicial Continuing Legal Educational annually.

Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:

York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses:

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.