Magistrate

pbjcal; United States; On-site; USD 33,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Pension

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Job summary

City of Birmingham in Alabama seeks a Magistrate for the municipal court with responsibilities including receiving and responding to public inquiries, preparing for hearings, and assisting the judge during proceedings. Certification via the AAOC is required or enrollment within six months.

The role involves courtroom work, case management, and interaction with the public to ensure proper procedures and fair handling of cases, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Mandatory AAOC certification or enrollment in AAOC-approved magistrates' orientation within six months of hire and must complete the certification program.
• Experience accepting and/or reporting financial processes (cash receipts, reporting, and collections).
• Willingness to obtain NCIC certification within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee alternative sentencing programs with local partners to determine structure and goals to reduce recidivism and improve community outcomes.
• Process cases after court by entering information into case management software and attaching documents.
• Serve as liaison between the municipal court and the public by handling inquiries, collecting payments, and providing information.
• Assist the judge during proceedings by recording rulings and managing case documents.
• Prepare for trial by evaluating complaints and organizing case materials.

Skills

Public liaison

Documentation

Cash handling

AAOC certification

Education

AAOC certification program

Job description

TARGET CLOSE DATE: 09/21/2026

PAY GRADE: Grade 19

TYPE: Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Magistrates working within the Merit System act as a liaison between the municipal court and the public. Magistrates are responsible for receiving, recording, and responding to citizen complaints and questions; preparing for court trials or hearings by gathering and reviewing necessary documentation; conducting court trials and hearings; and assisting the judge during court proceedings by providing and recording information. Magistrates are considered the chief officers of the municipal court administrative agency and are required to have or obtain a Magistrate certification approved by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts (AOC). Work is performed primarily in a courtroom or office setting. Work is reviewed by a magistrate supervisor and by the presiding judge for conformity with legal procedures and points of law.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Agencies provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

Applications for this position will be considered for the following Merit System employing agencies. The pay range for this job varies depending upon the Merit System employing agency.

PAYMENT RANGES:

• Bessemer: $42,078 - $65,270


• Birmingham: $42,972 - $66,684


• Fairfield: $33,217 - $51,521


• Fultondale: $44,761 - $69,430


• Gardendale: $50,169 - $77,812


• Homewood: $49,649 - $77,001


• Hueytown: $44,220 - $68,598


• Irondale: $49,649 - $77,001


• Kimblery: $33,155 - $51,438


• Leeds: $44,116 - $68,432


• Midfield: $33,217 - $51,521


• Mountain Brook: $53,913 - $83,657


• Pleasant Grove: $44,200 - $68,556


• Tarrant: $37,065 - $57,491


• Vestavia Hills: $49,940 - $77,480

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Alabama Municipal Court Clerk and Magistrate certification (AAOC certification) OR the ability to enroll in a magistrates' orientation and certification program approved by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts (AAOC) within six (6) months of hire and must complete the certification program as set by the Administrative Director of Courts and the Administrative Office of Courts.


• Experience accepting and/or reporting financial processes (e.g., cash receipts, reporting, and collections).


• Willingness to obtain NCIC certification within 6 months of employment.

City of Birmingham

• Alabama Municipal Court Clerk and Magistrate certification (AAOC certification)


• Experience accepting and/or reporting financial processes (e.g., cash receipts, reporting, and collections).


• Willingness to obtain NCIC certification within 6 months of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working within a courtroom setting (e.g., regulating flow and order of citizens and cases with the police departments, Judge(s), prosecutors and defense attorneys to efficiently operate the courts).


• Experience overseeing municipal court legal proceedings (e.g., adjudication of court cases, managing legal risks, and overseeing the law enforcement criminal process).

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Oversees alternative sentencing programs (e.g., Operation ABC and other Community Corrections Programs) by collaborating with local businesses and educational institutions in order to determine the structure, and leadership responsibility, and goals of the program(s) in order to reduce recidivism and substance abuse, increase community, and restore defendant to productive citizenship.


• Processes cases after court or hearing by entering information and documents into the case management software (i.e., electronic filling) and attaching physical case documents with the hard copies of the case in order to ensure cases heard by the judge are updated, rulings are recorded, and any fees paid are documented.


• Acts as a liaison between the municipal court and the public by receiving, recording, and responding to citizens' complaints, requests, and questions either by phone or in person by providing general information on court cases (e.g., court dates, fees, and fines), retrieving and reviewing case files and other records, assisting individuals with completing required forms, or taking payments for court fees and fines in order to provide adequate services to and meet the needs of the public.


• Assists the judge during court proceedings by recording rulings, managing physical and electronic copies of case information, and providing information and assistance to defendants to ensure that applicable laws, rulings, and procedures are followed.


• Conducts hearings and prepares for trial by evaluating complaints, recording and revie