Posting number: 134JG
Department: Justice of the Peace- Precinct #1
Job classification: Civil Traffic Hearing Officer/Initial Appearance Master
Posting type: Open
Categories: Legal
This position is advertised from the minimum to the mid-point hourly rate. Salary will be determined based on education and experience at the time of offer.
Under the direction of the Presiding Justice of the Peace, the Justice Court Civil Traffic Hearing Officer/Initial Appearance Master conducts hearings and related proceedings in cases involving criminal, civil traffic, and civil mediation matters and renders decisions based on the facts presented; Initial Appearances Hearings are conducted on weekends and holidays to determine release conditions, whereas Civil Traffic and civil mediation cases will be heard weekdays; under administrative direction, the Civil Traffic Hearing Officer/Initial Appearance Master performs technical work of moderate difficulty in judicial law, investigative duties and techniques involving mediation; this position has department-specific responsibilities involving warrant processing and training.
(Illustrative Only) Conducts weekends and holidays Initial Appearances setting bonds and imposing conditions of release; conducts hearings and related proceedings on contested civil traffic matters, hearing testimony, ruling on motions and rendering determinations on information and evidence presented; conducts mediation hearings on civil law suits; assures individuals comply with court orders, fines and monetary sanctions through the processing of warrants via JAU; hears testimony, questions witnesses and examines evidence; assesses penalties, issues sanctions and compels attendance of witnesses; reviews citations for technical violations, schedules hearings and pre-hearing conferences; uses independent judgment and objectivity when hearing and evaluating evidence presented, questions witnesses and determines responsibility based upon relevance of evidence presented; analyzes evidence in order to render fair and equitable judgment; applies law and precedent to facts and rules; informs defendants of their rights and any sentence that may be imposed, in a manner that makes the information clearly understandable; enters default judgments against defendants who fail to appear; assess prescribed fines; administers oaths, instructs parties as to their rights and conduct orderly hearings; ensures that appeals are documented and filed appropriately based on rules and procedures; enters legal decisions into the court record; interprets County Code, State laws, and Arizona Rules; prepares reports and related documentation; champions the values of the court through example and accountabilities; operates a variety of office equipment such as photocopiers, desktop computers and facsimile machines; completes duties, special assignments and projects as assigned; regular and reliable attendance is required; performs other duties as assigned.
High School Diploma or GED equivalent plus a minimum of five years of progressively responsible , Civil Traffic hearing officer, Initial Appearance (AI) Master, court management or law enforcement experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience; requires successful completion of a background check, must be certified or become certified within twelve months from hire through the Arizona Supreme Court as a Civil Traffic Hearing Officer, Initial Appearance Master and Civil Case Mediator.
Knowledge of: State Statutes including traffic laws as set forth in ARS Title 28, Arizona Rules of Court for Civil Traffic cases and appeals; Administrative Orders, Yuma County Code, ordinances, and regulations; principles of criminal law, civil traffic law and techniques involving mediation; the Rules of Judicial Conduct; law enforcement and investigative principles, practices, techniques and equipment; Yuma County policies and procedures; legal research methods, terminology, court processes and procedures; Yuma County geography including cities, towns and roads in Yuma County.
Skill in: Effectively communicating with individuals of various socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds; responding to stressful situations calmly, quickly and decisively; establishing effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public; following written and verbal instructions; communicating effectively both verbally and in writing; preparing and maintaining official court records; business English, spelling, grammar and punctuation; presiding over courtroom hearings; conducting and controlling adversarial proceedings.
Ability to: Analyzes, understand, interprets and represent cases effectively in court; communicate effectively; read, write, research and synthesizes data; use modern office equipment and computers; lift up to 5 – 10 lbs.
The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity.; generally the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking and 20% standing; the job is performed under minimal temperature variations and in a generally hazard free environment.
Yuma County is one of four original counties designated by the first Territorial Legislature. It maintained its original boundaries until 1983 when voters decided to split Yuma County into LaPaz County in the north and a new "Yuma County" in the south. For many years, Yuma served as the gateway to the new western territory of California, which brought thousands from around the world in search of gold, or those who had it. In 1870, the Southern Pacific Railroad bridged the river. Yuma became a hub for the railroad and was selected as the county seat in 1864.
Yuma County is bordered by California on the West/Mexico on the South and has a year-round population of approximately 200,000 residents. During the winter, the population increases by about 90,000 due to the sun-seeking Winter Visitors affectionately known as "Snowbirds".
