Magistrate - Dependency (4960-40)

Hamilton Co; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton County Juvenile Court in Cincinnati, OH, seeks a Magistrate for Dependency matters. The role requires presiding over hearings, evaluating evidence, and applying law to facts with fairness and timeliness at the Judges Office, 800 Broadway.

The presence of strong analytical, clerical, and communication skills is essential. The ideal candidate is a licensed attorney with 5+ years of experience, admitted to the Ohio Bar, and capable of handling large caseloads while maintaining impartiality

Qualifications

• Must possess analytical skills/abilities, which include: Ability to relate legal principles to facts, determine court response, and make court decisions; Ability to listen and critically analyze facts; Ability to perform complex legal analysis and research.
• Must possess clerical/administrative skills/abilities, which include: Typing and data entry.
• Must possess computer/technical skills/abilities, which include: Ability to operate a personal computer, including use of software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office and JCMS.
• Must possess project/process management skills/abilities, which include: Ability to handle large caseloads in an efficient, effective manner.
• Must possess the ability to work independently and complete assigned projects in a timely manner.
• Must possess superior written and oral communication skills/abilities, which include: Ability to work professionally with attorneys, public and staff, remain fair and impartial; Ability to control courtroom conduct and process; Ability to defuse hostile situations and work effectively with persons of varying socioeconomic and educational backgrounds; Ability to write court decisions in a clear and legally-defensible manner.
• Most possess knowledge of: Juvenile law and related statutes; case law; general law; rules of evidence; civil procedure; jurisprudence of contempt; social welfare system; community social service resources; legal principles and terminology; internal court procedures.

Responsibilities

• Presides over assigned hearings on behalf of the Juvenile Court Judges.
• Accepts and evaluates evidence in accordance with established rules of evidence, hears testimony, facts and arguments, rules on objections, and applies the law to facts and determines Court response.
• Maintains fairness and impartiality, and writes legally defensible decisions in a timely manner.
• Updates JCMS in an accurate, timely manner.
• Controls and maintains courtroom procedure and conduct on part of attorney's and litigants and issues contempt orders.
• Monitors, manages and controls hearing times to ensure that cases are heard as scheduled and within required timeframes.
• Stays current on new or changing statutes, procedures and case law.
• Conducts legal research and analyzes legal decisions, cases and documents.
• Participates in meeting with supervisors, other department and outside community partners as required.
• Other duties, as assigned
• Participates in presentations and other speaking engagements on behalf of the Court.
• Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Clerical skills

Computer skills

MS Office

JCMS

Project management

Independent work

Written & verbal communication

Education

Ohio Bar admission

Tools

JCMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position:

Magistrate - Dependency (4960-40)

Location:

Cincinnati, OH

Job Id:

4960-40

# of Openings:

1

Magistrate - Dependency (4960-40)

Deadline to Apply: October 22, 2026

Work Location:

Judges Office

800 Broadway

Work Hours:

40 Hours/Week

NOTE: Applicants for positions with Hamilton County Juvenile Court are subject to background screening in accordance with the document, " Offenses that May Disqualify Candidates for Employment ." Convictions from this list may disqualify a candidate for employment with Hamilton County Juvenile Court.

Hamilton County Juvenile Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A copy of the Equal Employment Opportunity Plan Short Form is available to any person upon request. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 513-946-9238.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification):

• Licensed practicing attorney for a minimum of 5 years.
• Admitted and licensed by the Ohio Bar Association to practice law.

Special Working Conditions and/or Hazards:

• Employees work indoors and are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

Job Duties:

• Presides over assigned hearings on behalf of the Juvenile Court Judges.
• Accepts and evaluates evidence in accordance with established rules of evidence, hears testimony, facts and arguments, rules on objections, and applies the law to facts and determines Court response.
• Maintains fairness and impartiality, and writes legally defensible decisions in a timely manner.
• Updates JCMS in an accurate, timely manner.
• Controls and maintains courtroom procedure and conduct on part of attorney's and litigants and issues contempt orders.
• Monitors, manages and controls hearing times to ensure that cases are heard as scheduled and within required timeframes.
• Stays current on new or changing statutes, procedures and case law.
• Conducts legal research and analyzes legal decisions, cases and documents.
• Participates in meeting with supervisors, other department and outside community partners as required.
• Other duties, as assigned
• Participates in presentations and other speaking engagements on behalf of the Court.
• Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.

Summary of KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES required for the position:

• Must possess analytical skills/abilities, which include: Ability to relate legal principles to facts, determine court response, and make court decisions; Ability to listen and critically analyze facts; Ability to perform complex legal analysis and research.
• Must possess clerical/administrative skills/abilities, which include: Typing and data entry.
• Must possess computer/technical skills/abilities, which include: Ability to operate a personal computer, including use of software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office and JCMS.
• Must possess project/process management skills/abilities, which include: Ability to handle large caseloads in an efficient, effective manner.
• Must possess the ability to work independently and complete assigned projects in a timely manner.
• Must possess superior written and oral communication skills/abilities, which include: Ability to work professionally with attorneys, public and staff, remain fair and impartial; Ability to control courtroom conduct and process; Ability to defuse hostile situations and work effectively with persons of varying socioeconomic and educational backgrounds; Ability to write court decisions in a clear and legally-defensible manner.
• Most possess knowledge of: Juvenile law and related statutes; case law; general law; rules of evidence; civil procedure; jurisprudence of contempt; social welfare system; community social service resources; legal principles and terminology; internal court procedures.