Special Magistrate

City of Tucson; United States; On-site; USD 83,000 - 112,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Pension plan

38 paid days off first year

12 weeks parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Volunteer hours

Job summary

The City of Tucson is seeking a Special Magistrate (UC-H) to preside over a variety of hearings for Tucson City Court on a part-time basis. The role includes managing calendars, issuing rulings, and providing legal guidance under the Presiding Magistrate's supervision.

Qualified candidates hold a Juris Doctorate, have five years of relevant experience, and are admitted to the Arizona State Bar. Arizona residency for one year prior to appointment is required, with strong professional conduct and

Qualifications

• JD required for appointment.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Active membership with the State Bar of Arizona.
• Residency within Arizona for one year preceding appointment.

Responsibilities

• Presides over criminal misdemeanors, civil traffic, code enforcement, parking hearings, ex parte and protective orders, animal forfeitures, and other matters within Tucson City Court.
• Ensures procedures are followed and all parties have opportunity to present their case.
• Manages caseload and courtroom calendar, coordinating with attorneys and staff to schedule hearings and trials.
• Makes legal rulings based on presented information and applicable laws.
• Issues orders in writing and orally on a range of legal issues.
• Acts as backup/substitute judge during absences.
• Interacts professionally with litigants, attorneys, witnesses, jurors, staff, and the public.
• Provides legal guidance on court procedures and mitigates disputes.

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Posting Close Date Applicants must submit their completed application by 09-20-2026 at 11:59 p.m. MST

About this Job

Special Magistrates are on-call pro tem judges, who serve a two year term, that are used to cover specific events on the court calendar when a full-time City Magistrate is otherwise unavailable to cover their assigned calendar due to illness, vacation, attendance at meetings or training. Special magistrate use is by a court session which is a 4 hour block of time. Work is performed under the supervision of the Presiding Magistrate of the Court. This position does not supervise.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Presides over a variety of hearings including criminal misdemeanors, civil traffic, code enforcement, parking hearings, ex parte and contested protective orders, animal forfeitures, and other matters within the jurisdiction of Tucson City Court.
• Ensures court procedures are followed, and all parties are provided an opportunity to present their case information.
• Manages and assigned caseload and courtroom calendar, working with attorneys, litigants, and court staff to set and hold hearings and trials in accordance with local, state and federal requirements and within efficient timeliness.
• Makes legal rulings based on information presented and ensures compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws.
• Issues orders in writing and orally on a wide variety of legal issues and procedures.
• Preforms duties as a backup and / or substitute judge in the event of expected and unexpected absences.
• Interacts professionally with self-represented litigants, attorneys, witnesses, jurors, court staff, and other members of the public.
• Provides legal guidance to all parties on court procedures.
• Mitigates disputes between parties.
• All other duties and responsibilities as assigned based on the needs of the court.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctorate
• Work Experience: Five (5) years of relevant experience
• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona
• Of good moral character.
• A resident of Arizona for one (1) year immediately preceding recommendation for appointment.
• Admitted to the practice of law for five (5) years immediately preceding recommendation for appointment

Preferred Qualifications

• Limited jurisdiction trial court experience as a judge or a litigating attorney.

Position Details

Job Profile J0635H - Special Magistrate (UC-H) To view the full job profile including classification specifications and physical demands click https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Tucson-Talent.

Compensation Grade G0635H Hourly Range $70.18 - 70.18 USD The City of Tucson considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Exempt Position Type Appointed Time Type Part time Department City Court Department Link https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Tucson-City-Court

Background Check This position has been designated to require a criminal background check.

The City of Tucson is a Second Chance Employer.

Benefits

• Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings.
• With your well-being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years.
• We offer twelve weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off- and on-the-job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours.

Citizenship and Visa

The City of Tucson employs only U.S. Citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. Citizens.

All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Status.

The City of Tucson does not offer visa sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Tucson is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

The City of Tucson does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, age, disability, genetic testing, or any other protected status.

If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, you may file a complaint with the City of Tucson's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Arizona Attorney General's Office of the Civil Rights Division (ACRD).

City Information

The City of Tucson, founded in 1775 and incorporated in 1877, is a City Manager-led Mayor and Council government organization comprised of over 5,000 dedicated employees.

Tucson Community The City of Tucson is recognized as a Top 20 "Best City in America" by Resonance Consultancy. Tucson, Arizona, is a thriving center for bioscience, aerospace/defense, optics, mining, and logistics. With a city population of more than 540,000 and a regional population of more than 1 million, Tucson has 330-plus days of sunshine a year and is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges. A small-town feel with big-city amenities complements its natural beauty. You can learn more about Tucson, Arizona, at Visit Tucson, Arizona.