Clerical/Admin - Administrative Assistant

Magistrate PositionThe essential function of the position is to set cases for hearing, conduct hearings, and make legal substantive and procedural determinations in the area of family law, civil, mental health, and juvenile matters referred by the judge in the respective divisions. The position is responsible for preparing recommended orders or reports and recommendation with accompanying orders for referring judge's signature. The position further supervises Magistrates, the Child Support Hearing Officers, and their assistants. The position further reviews leave requests, ensures compliance with office policy and procedure, attends Director meetings and trainings, and schedules meetings with the Magistrates and Hearing Officers to share information. In addition, the position maintains communication between the Magistrate Division and the Trial Court Administrator, the Chief Judge and the administrative judges for family, mental health and juvenile divisions. The position reports to the Trial Court Administrator.Schedules cases and conducts bench trials and hearings; rules on questions of jurisdiction, standing, discovery, and admission of evidence and applies facts to substantive statutes and rules; prepares recommended orders for referring judge's signature at conclusion of hearing.Supervises six (6) Magistrates, two (2) Child Support Hearing Officers, and eight (8) administrative assistants. Participates in the selection, hiring, training, counseling and discipline of Magistrates, the Hearing Officers, as well as their assigned assistants.Reviews judges' orders of referral, recommended orders submitted by attorneys; considers and analyzes related legal research and evidence presented at hearing or trial.Provides relevant statutory and case law updates to the Magistrates and the Hearing Officers; attends technical and professional classes, workshops, seminars, or conferences to improve professional skills; participates in various CLE panels to educate Magistrates, Hearing Officers, judicial assistants, magistrate assistants and lawyers.Drafts, amends, and edits relevant administrative orders and forms utilized by the Circuit.Performs administrative tasks such as reviewing monthly case management reports and data for all Magistrate/Hearing Officer assignments; conducts and attends staff meetings to share information.Conducts meetings with Court partners such as the Clerk, Department of Revenue, Office of Regional Counsel, Office of the Public Defender, Office of the State Attorney, Baker Act facilities and the managing entity responsible for Marchman Acts.Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school and admittance to the Florida Bar is required; at least five years of experience as a licensed attorney. The ideal candidate will have litigation experience.Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply Florida statutes, case law and Florida rules of Court.Knowledge of the rules of evidence and the ability to take evidence.Ability to work with litigants who are in stressful situations.Knowledge of civil procedure.Ability to conduct legal research.Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.Ability to work effectively in a team environment.Ability to mentor and train magistrates and hearing officers.Ability to operate a "file less" division is required and advanced technological skills are needed.During the application process, please upload the following ATTACHMENTS:Cover LetterBrief writing sample, between three and five pages in lengthNotice: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will continue to be received until the position is filled. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against any of the protected classes.If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in the interviewing process once selected, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Palm Beach County Courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, Florida 33401; telephone number View phone number on click.appcast.io at least 7 days before your scheduled either in-person or telephonic interview; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call "711."