City of Auburn (Washington)
Auburn Municipal Court - Presiding Judge
City of Auburn (Washington), Auburn, Washington, United States, 98002
Auburn Municipal Court - Presiding Judge
Join the City of Auburn to serve as Presiding Judge for the newly established Auburn Municipal Court. This position is open until filled and will accept applications on a continuous basis.
The Auburn Municipal Court will operate beginning January 1, 2027, with exclusive jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, parking infractions, and other matters authorized by law. The court will be independent, yet collaborate with City Administration on budget, staffing, and facilities to ensure efficient delivery of justice services.
Essential Functions
Preside over criminal, traffic, and civil matters within the jurisdiction of the Court.
Review and issue search and arrest warrants and make probable‑cause determinations.
Conduct arraignments, pre‑trial hearings, bench and jury trials, sentencings, and post‑judgment proceedings.
Provide leadership and direction to Municipal Court staff, appointed in accordance with Auburn City Code 2.14.090 and General Rule 29.
Oversee Court operations including case flow, collections, budget, and technology systems.
Coordinate with the Police Department, Prosecutor, and Public Defense programs to ensure timely and equitable adjudication of cases.
Ensure the Court maintains accurate records and timely reporting to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
Maintain knowledge of law and procedure through continuing judicial education and participation in the Washington District and Municipal Court Judges Association.
Represent the Court in inter‑jurisdictional meetings and collaborative initiatives involving justice, equity, and public safety.
Qualifications
Hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Be a member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
Possess a minimum of five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney or judicial officer.
Have taken the oath of office under RCW 3.50.097, be bondable, and be available nights and weekends for probable‑cause determinations and review of search warrants.
Comply with the Code of Judicial Conduct and applicable ethics laws for judicial officers.
Be a citizen of the United States and of the State of Washington, and be a resident of either King or Pierce County at the time of appointment.
Not hold any other judicial appointment and devote full time to the Court.
Preferred Experience
Service as a Municipal or District Court Judge or Judge Pro Tempore.
Experience in court administration or court start‑up operations.
Familiarity with JABS/JIS, Odyssey/Enterprise Justice, and electronic case‑management systems.
Experience with Community, Mental Health, or Veterans Courts.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of Washington criminal law, rules of evidence, and local ordinances.
Ability to analyze complex facts and apply legal principles impartially.
Strong communication and decision‑making skills in a public setting.
Ability to collaborate effectively with City leadership and staff while maintaining judicial independence.
Salary and Benefits The salary for the Auburn Municipal Court Presiding Judge will be set by City Council consistent with applicable state law and City ordinance. Based on current Washington State District Court Judge salary levels (RCW 43.03.012), the estimated annual salary is
approximately $226,096 , with any future wage adjustments subject to Council approval and applicable law. Prior to the Court’s commencement of operations on
January 1, 2027 , any work performed to support court establishment will be compensated on a
temporary, non‑benefited hourly basis
at an estimated rate of
$108.70 per hour . Upon the Court becoming operational, this position will be eligible for the City’s full benefits package, including
medical, dental, vision, life insurance, PERS retirement , and
VEBA .
Commitment to Inclusion Team Auburn values a wide range of perspectives and life experiences and believes our strength comes from the diversity of people and ideas. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals who will help us foster a workplace built on respect, collaboration, and service to the community.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) The City of Auburn is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.
Ready to Apply? If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Recruitment Process The City of Auburn is dedicated to building an inclusive, informed city, with opportunities for all. In alignment with that goal, the City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the initial screening of applications. Please submit a complete, detailed, and updated application, and thoroughly answer the supplemental questions. You must meet the minimum qualifications to move forward in the screening process. Applicants selected to move forward after an interview will undergo a thorough background check, reference check, and fingerprinting before a formal job appointment is made.
Contact Information The City of Auburn welcomes all qualified individuals and looks forward to receiving your application. For questions, contact Human Resources Manager Melissa Medisch, or Human Resources Director Candis Martinson. We primarily communicate via e‑mail during the recruitment process; please ensure your inbox is set to receive notifications from auburnwa.gov and governmentjobs.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Auburn Municipal Court will operate beginning January 1, 2027, with exclusive jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, parking infractions, and other matters authorized by law. The court will be independent, yet collaborate with City Administration on budget, staffing, and facilities to ensure efficient delivery of justice services.
Essential Functions
Preside over criminal, traffic, and civil matters within the jurisdiction of the Court.
Review and issue search and arrest warrants and make probable‑cause determinations.
Conduct arraignments, pre‑trial hearings, bench and jury trials, sentencings, and post‑judgment proceedings.
Provide leadership and direction to Municipal Court staff, appointed in accordance with Auburn City Code 2.14.090 and General Rule 29.
Oversee Court operations including case flow, collections, budget, and technology systems.
Coordinate with the Police Department, Prosecutor, and Public Defense programs to ensure timely and equitable adjudication of cases.
Ensure the Court maintains accurate records and timely reporting to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
Maintain knowledge of law and procedure through continuing judicial education and participation in the Washington District and Municipal Court Judges Association.
Represent the Court in inter‑jurisdictional meetings and collaborative initiatives involving justice, equity, and public safety.
Qualifications
Hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Be a member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
Possess a minimum of five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney or judicial officer.
Have taken the oath of office under RCW 3.50.097, be bondable, and be available nights and weekends for probable‑cause determinations and review of search warrants.
Comply with the Code of Judicial Conduct and applicable ethics laws for judicial officers.
Be a citizen of the United States and of the State of Washington, and be a resident of either King or Pierce County at the time of appointment.
Not hold any other judicial appointment and devote full time to the Court.
Preferred Experience
Service as a Municipal or District Court Judge or Judge Pro Tempore.
Experience in court administration or court start‑up operations.
Familiarity with JABS/JIS, Odyssey/Enterprise Justice, and electronic case‑management systems.
Experience with Community, Mental Health, or Veterans Courts.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of Washington criminal law, rules of evidence, and local ordinances.
Ability to analyze complex facts and apply legal principles impartially.
Strong communication and decision‑making skills in a public setting.
Ability to collaborate effectively with City leadership and staff while maintaining judicial independence.
Salary and Benefits The salary for the Auburn Municipal Court Presiding Judge will be set by City Council consistent with applicable state law and City ordinance. Based on current Washington State District Court Judge salary levels (RCW 43.03.012), the estimated annual salary is
approximately $226,096 , with any future wage adjustments subject to Council approval and applicable law. Prior to the Court’s commencement of operations on
January 1, 2027 , any work performed to support court establishment will be compensated on a
temporary, non‑benefited hourly basis
at an estimated rate of
$108.70 per hour . Upon the Court becoming operational, this position will be eligible for the City’s full benefits package, including
medical, dental, vision, life insurance, PERS retirement , and
VEBA .
Commitment to Inclusion Team Auburn values a wide range of perspectives and life experiences and believes our strength comes from the diversity of people and ideas. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals who will help us foster a workplace built on respect, collaboration, and service to the community.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) The City of Auburn is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.
Ready to Apply? If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Recruitment Process The City of Auburn is dedicated to building an inclusive, informed city, with opportunities for all. In alignment with that goal, the City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the initial screening of applications. Please submit a complete, detailed, and updated application, and thoroughly answer the supplemental questions. You must meet the minimum qualifications to move forward in the screening process. Applicants selected to move forward after an interview will undergo a thorough background check, reference check, and fingerprinting before a formal job appointment is made.
Contact Information The City of Auburn welcomes all qualified individuals and looks forward to receiving your application. For questions, contact Human Resources Manager Melissa Medisch, or Human Resources Director Candis Martinson. We primarily communicate via e‑mail during the recruitment process; please ensure your inbox is set to receive notifications from auburnwa.gov and governmentjobs.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr