Standing Master

Taleo; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 66,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Montana Judicial Branch seeks a Standing Master in the 8th Judicial District. The role involves hearing and ruling on proceedings, researching issues, and drafting findings of fact, conclusions of law, and orders.

The Standing Master conducts criminal hearings, bail reviews, and domestic relation matters, and mediates civil settlements. The candidate must graduate from an accredited law school, have 3 years of Montana practice, and hold Montana bar admission with continuing education compliance.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school, with 3 years of practicing law in Montana prior to appointment.
• Bar admission to Montana and eligibility to practice before Montana courts; continuing legal education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Hearing and ruling on proceedings, researching issues, and writing findings of fact, conclusions of law and orders.
• Conducts preliminary criminal proceedings including arraignments, initial appearances on warrants, probation revocation hearings, and bail hearings; conducts plea changes; conducts temporary and final hearings and domestic relations matters including parenting plans, property distribution, maintenance and family support.
• Mediates and conducts settlement conferences in civil matters; conducts discovery conferences, and rules on discovery motions; conducts civil trials and renders judgments.
• Produces evidence, rules on admissibility, puts witnesses under oath, calls parties to the action and examines them, and issues temporary orders.
• Must interpret and apply statutes, case law, and regulations; work with discretion within state laws and procedural rules.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Legal precedents

Court procedures

Analytical thinking

Hearing prep

Teamwork

Litigant handling

Counseling

PC skills

Education

Law degree

Job description

Job Description - Standing Master (25143067)

Position Title

Standing Master - ( 25143067 )

Required Documents

• Resume – Please include dates of employment and your supervisor’s name/phone number for each position.

Three Professional References

The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Job Overview

Working under the direction of Judges in the 8th Judicial District, the successful candidate will be responsible for Hearing and ruling on proceedings, researching issues, and writing findings of fact, conclusions of law and orders. The Standing Master conducts preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, including arraignments, initial appearances on warrant, probation revocation hearings, and bail hearings; conducts plea change hearings; conducts temporary and final hearings as well as modification hearings in domestic relations matters including parenting plans, property distribution, maintenance and family support cases. Mediates and conducts settlement conferences in civil matter; conducts discovery conferences, and rules on discovery motions; Conducts civil trials and renders judgements; may require the production of evidence, rule on the admissibility of evidence, put witnesses on oath and examine them, call parties to the action and examine them on oath, and issues temporary orders. The Standing Master Must interpret and apply statutes, case law, and regulations applicable to each case as it is heard of briefed. Work assignments are carried out with a substantial degree of discretion and independent judgement within the framework of state laws and rules of procedure.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors)

• Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws and court rulings as they pertain to the area of assignment.
• Extensive knowledge of established precedents, and sources of legal reference.
• Extensive knowledge of court procedures, rules of evidence, and courtroom procedures.
• Ability to apply legal principles and specialized knowledge to individual cases and problems.
• Ability to prepare for hearings and hear difficult cases and present material clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to deal with unhappy, unstable litigants.
• Ability to counsel persons on sensitive problems.
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office or courtroom with extensive public contact. Work may involve exposure to potentially dangerous situations from unpredictable litigants or parties.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and listen. Work is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, standing, bending, and carrying items under 25 p

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited law school, with 3 years of practicing law in Montana prior to the date of appointment.

Licensure and Certification Requirements

• Possession of a current Certificate of Admission to the Bar of the State of Montana; eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Montana. Completion of required continuing legal education courses.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Training Assignment : Not Applicable

Salary: $49.57 - 49.57 Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Not Telework Eligible

Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 5 % of the Time

Jul 21, 2026, 3:32:25 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone): Ongoing

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.