Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00360

Department: County Criminal Court at Law 2

Job classification: ASSOCIATE JUDGE

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Attorney

Summary

Acceptable Experience and Education

Licensed attorney in good standing with the State of Texas. Must have at least four (4) years of experience in the practice of law in Texas, have lived in El Paso during the preceding 12 months, and be a resident of Texas.

Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and in accordance with the applicable requirements as listed in the Texas Government Code Section 54A.

This is an appointed position for El Paso County.

Certificates, Licenses, and other Requirements

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

In order to access the County’s network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required

by the hire start date.

Examples of duties

Essential Duties

The Associate Judge for the DWI Court Treatment Program presides over a specialized docket designed to reduce repeat impaired-driving offenses through treatment, accountability, and structured

judicial supervision. The judge works closely with a multidisciplinary team to support participant sobriety, enhance public safety, and promote long-term behavior change. Must have commitment to

therapeutic jurisprudence, public safety, and evidence-based practices.

Schedules and holds prehearings and hearings and concludes them expeditiously; Issues summons for the appearance of witnesses, orders, and writs;

Researches applicable law for rulings;

Reviews pleadings, motions, etc. and the writing of rulings and order on matters presented to the Court;

Conducts hearings involving varied legal, procedural, and technical issues;

Administers oaths, examines witnesses, compels production of relevant evidence, and rules on evidence;

Analyzes testimony and other evidence, applying all pertinent law, rules and policies to a case;

Formulate finding of fact and conclusions of law and recommend the rulings, orders or judgment to be made in a case;

Complies and maintains record of evidence, ensuring proper handling of matters for appeal, confidentiality and other considerations;

Conforms to court policies regarding exporter communications and ethics matters; Prepares and submits data and/or reports;

Regulates all proceedings in a hearing;

Perform acts and take measures necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the duties required by the order of referral and the Associate Judges guidelines;

Makes written recommendations of orders to be rendered in a case; As directed may compile statistics;

May supervise department employees, including assigning and reviewing work, training, completing performance evaluations, and making recommendations on hiring, terminating, and disciplining personnel;

May select, and motivates department staff; provides or coordinates training and works with employees to correct deficiencies;

Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate-level staff, the department work plan; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures;

Provides support, mentors, transfers knowledge, and skills to staff at all technical levels in a team environment to meet established goals and objectives;

Makes recommendations on budget items; makes recommendations on policy; Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions; Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field;

Uphold judicial ethics, fairness, and professionalism in all interactions;

May travel occasionally for required training, conferences, or community engagement.

Depending on Area Assigned (Jury Duty Court):

Presides over jury duty dockets; screens all requests for jury duty exemptions due to health or hardship;

Signs all judgements, affidavits, medical forms (permanent or temporary), and other applicable documents of the Jury Duty Court;

Conducts all other Jury Duty Court business requiring a judicial officer;

Notifies the assigned supervisory judge and the Council of Judges Administration Office on leave that impacts the operations of the Jury Duty Court to ensure coverage of the docket.

Depending on Area Assigned (DWI Specialty Court):

Presides over all DWI Court hearings, including participant orientation, status review dockets, phase advancement hearings, sanctions and incentives reviews, and graduation proceedings;

Makes judicial determinations regarding participant eligibility, compliance, treatment engagement, phase movement, and program completion;

Reviews reports on alcohol testing results, ignition interlock compliance, treatment attendance, supervision updates, and case progress;

Issues judicial orders related to treatment participation, alcohol monitoring requirements, ignition interlock usage, community service, curfews, sanctions, and other supervision conditions;

Applies evidence-based practices tailored to DWI Court operations, including structured accountability, graduated sanctions, and recovery focused incentives;

Participates in regular staffing meetings with the DWI Court team to discuss participant progress and determine coordinated responses;

Collaborates with probation departments, treatment providers, ignition interlock vendors, law enforcement, and community partners;

Maintains a courtroom environment that balances public safety with therapeutic engagement and support for recovery;

Ensures compliance with all relevant laws, court rules, program policies, and statewide Specialty Court or DWI Court standards;

Promotes the mission of the DWI Court by engaging in community education, stakeholder meetings, and professional development as needed;

Other Important Duties*

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;

Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts;

Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills; and

Maintains a safe and healthy workplace environment; and

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train in emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Qualifications

Summary of Position

The Associate Judge, under minimal direction from the assigned supervisory Judge and in accordance with the laws, exercises discretion in determining whether individuals should be held in contempt for failing to appear when summoned for jury service, performs highly advanced hearings and orders judgments to be made in cases. The incumbent adheres to Council of Judges Administration, Associate Judges guidelines, Local Rules and Code of Judicial Conduct.

Supplemental information

Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Local Administrative Judge or assigned County, District, or Probate Court Judge

Directs: As assigned, may direct Certified Court Reporters, Bailiffs, and any other assigned staff

Other: Has frequent contact with court staff, Judges, Attorneys, Public Defenders, Community Supervision Officers, Law Enforcement, and treatment providers

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Texas State Law and County of El Paso Ordinances; court protocols and procedures; working knowledge of the Odyssey software; principles and practices of administrative management; the principles and practices of effective customer service; principles and practices of effective employee supervision; County organization, operations, policies and procedures; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products. Depending on area assigned: DWI laws, alcohol use disorder treatment, ignition interlock systems, and problem solving court models.

Skill/Ability to: adjudicate a significant volume of cases promptly and efficiently; clearly and concisely explain pertinent legal information to affected parties; fairly and impartially enforce judicial authority; have compassion, maturity, and foresight to understand the potential impact of their decisions and act accordingly; work with attorneys in high-conflict situations; operate a personal computer and various software applications; conduct research, develop appropriate documentation, assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands to meet scheduled requirements; establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and customers to promote and support a productive work environment; work efficiently independently and in a team environment to meet established goals and objectives; communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to respond effectively to customers and staff; exercise initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines in performance of daily duties; responding effectively to customers; assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands; reading, interpreting, and communicating instructions; compilation, analysis, and presentation of statistical information; use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; complete projects on time and within budget; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records, maintain filing systems, compile and organize information; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; promote program activities; make mathematical computations; prepare clear, concise and

comprehensive written reports, and staff studies; schedule, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff; and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work. Pass a background investigation. Depending on area assigned: must be bilingual in English/Spanish.

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:

· Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;

· Work well with others and participate fully in a team-oriented environment;

· Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;

· Maintain strict confidentiality;

· Project positive support of their department and all organizations receiving El Paso County service at all times; and,

· Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence.