Superior Court Commissioner

Skagit County; Mount Vernon (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Skagit County is seeking a full-time Court Commissioner to Hear and decide civil, family, juvenile, and criminal matters as directed by the Superior Court Judges. The role includes on-call duties, ex parte proceedings, and implementing guardianship monitoring programs.

A law degree from an ABA-accredited school and five years of legal practice are required, with membership in good standing in the Washington State Bar; US citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• A law degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Five (5) years of experience in the practice of law.
• Member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.
• United States citizenship as required by RCW 2.24.010.
• Candidates will be expected to pass a criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Hear and decide matters as directed, including civil, guardianship/probate, family law, juvenile, and adult criminal matters.
• Act as Ex Parte Judicial Officer as directed.
• Handle after hours on-call search warrant jurisdiction and weekend probable cause reviews.
• Implement and oversee guardianship monitoring program as directed.
• Hear, decide, and act in any other Judicial Officer capacity as directed.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Courtroom management

Interpersonal skills

Judicial temperament

Education

J.D. (ABA-accredited law school)

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Court software

Job description

Applicants are requested to please attach a general resume to their application and submit answers to the supplemental questions. The information submitted will be used to help determine applicants to be considered further for this position. If necessary, answers may be attached. Applicants are also required to sign a release form authorizing the Washington State Bar Association to release all information regarding disciplinary records. Applicants are subject to civil and criminal records investigation.

This is a full time (40 hours per week) Court Commissioner position pursuant to RCW 2.24, appointed by the Superior Court Judges.

Compensation for the District Court Commissioner is set in Resolution#20160348 and is listed under the Elected Official salary schedule.

May act pursuant to RCW 2.24.040 as directed by the Superior Court Presiding Judge.

Hear and decide matters as directed, which may include:

• Civil and Guardianship/Probate Matters: adult guardianship and conservatorships, minor guardianships, probates, unlawful detainer cases, domestic violence protection orders and other types of orders for protection or restraints, ex parte calendars, adoptions, and other civil calendars as assigned.
• Family Law: all types of family law cases, including dissolutions, parenting plans, child support, paternity, and support enforcement cases.
• Juvenile Court: juvenile offender cases, ARY and ChINS petitions, truancies, and dependency calendars.
• Adult Criminal Matters: including arraignments, preliminary appearances, probable cause determinations, setting of pretrial release conditions, reviewing applications for search warrants, and signing continuances.
• Involuntary Treatment Cases:hearings and bench trials on civil commitments conducted either at the facility or the courthouse.
• Participate in Teen Court periodically.

Acts as Ex Parte Judicial Officer as directed.

Handles after hours on-call search warrant phone and weekend probable cause reviews on a rotating basis.

Implements and oversees adult guardianship monitoring program as directed by the Presiding Judge.

Hear, decide, and act in any other Judicial Officer capacity as directed.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited, four-year college or university, a law degree from an ABA-accredited law school, and five (5) years of experience in the practice of law.

Must be a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar association.

Per RCW 2.24.010, United States citizenship is required.

Candidates will be expected to pass a criminal background check.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the judicial system, including but not limited to civil law, juvenile law, family law, criminal law, Skagit County Superior Court’s local rules and court procedures, statutes, legal principles, and caselaw
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships within the court and with the legal community
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• The ability to manage high volume court calendars while also engaging in the requisite advance reading and preparation for all calendars
• The ability to objectively identify, analyze, and interpret legal issues, principles, and arguments; direct and control courtroom proceedings in a decisive, orderly, and equitable manner; exercise appropriate judicial temperament and demeanor, and effectively handle pressure in difficult and unexpected situations by responding in a calm and rational manner
• The ability to proficiently use court-based technology programs
• Intellectual curiosity to learn more about legal issues, behavioral health, trauma-informed practices, child welfare, and other best practices as applicable to calendar and case assignments.

WORKING CONDITIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Work is performed primarily in an office or courtroom environment.

Hazards:

Those present in a normal office environment with occasional exposure to hostile persons and stressful situations.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Following review of applications and resumes, the highest qualified applicants will be interviewed and may be tested. After a selection is made, all applicants not selected will be notified in writing. Skagit County reserves the right to use applications received for this posting to fill any other positions within this classification which may open within six months following the closing of this position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices. American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test or interview process, please call: [phone].

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all‑inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.