Job Description

Initial Posting Date:

07/02/2026

Application Deadline:

07/15/2026

Agency:

Judicial Department

Salary Range:

$9,908 - $15,371

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Hearings Referee

Limited Duration: This is a part-time, limited-duration position, currently funded through June 30, 2027. Continuation beyond that date is subject to available funding.

If you are a current OJD regular status employee, acceptance of a limited-duration status position does not change your status to limited duration (although probationary status may still apply). See JDPR 6 for more information or contact your HR Manager.

Part-Time: This is a part-time position (.40 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), 16 hours per week). The adjusted salary range is approximately $3,963.20-$6,148.40 per month

Interviews: Generally, interviews will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline, although the timeline may be longer depending on the number of applications received.

Who we are

Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD’s efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work experience, education, and any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission

Benefits to you

• We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees [OR up to 99% of medical insurance premiums for part-time employees], including mental health coverage.
• The hourly equivalent for this position is $57.16 - $88.68. [OR The annual salary for this position is $118,892 - $184,451.]
• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job!
• Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.

Location Highlights

Oregon City, Oregon rests on the Willamette River southeast of Portland. It is part of the Portland Metropolitan Area (along with Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, WA). Oregon City was the first capital of Oregon prior to the creation of the Oregon Territory in 1848. Before settling on Salem in 1864, the capital was moved several times to several different cities. It is also the end point of the Oregon Trail. Oregon City has the only “vertical street” in the nation, Elevator Street. Activities include museums, historic buildings, and over 22 city parks, including Clackamette Park at the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas rivers. Oregon City is also home to Willamette Falls, the largest waterfall by volume in the Pacific Northwest.

Position Highlights

The Clackamas County Circuit Court is hiring a Part-Time Hearings Referee

In this role…

You will preside over a wide variety of legal matters that may include family law hearings, juvenile proceedings, civil commitment hearings, and other cases as assigned.

You will conduct hearings or trials on assigned cases; investigate the facts of the case by hearing testimony and examining evidence; instruct parties on legal rights and procedures as required by law; make findings of fact and apply applicable law to those facts and issue judicial orders and judgments.

You will frequently work with both represented and self‑represented litigants, ensuring that all proceedings are conducted clearly, fairly, and in accordance with the law.

Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission

Application Process

• Workday times out after approximately 15 minutes of inactivity and all progress will be lost.
• REQUIRED: a cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, Special Qualifications, and Requested Skills and Attributes, listed below. Using a generic cover letter is likely not going to get you an interview, so please take the time needed to personalize your cover letter. Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.
• REQUIRED a completed work history, either by completing the Job History (internal candidate) or Work Experience (external candidate) portion of your Workday profile OR by attaching an updated resume.

Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.

Cover Letter ( REQUIRED)

• Attach your cover letter in the Resume section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.
• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.
• Address your cover letter to the Hearings Referee Hiring Committee.
• Use a font size that is at least 11 pt.
• In the introductory section of your cover letter, please explain why you want this position and specifically how your education and professional experience make you the best candidate for this position.
• Please organize your cover letter using the same labeled headings as the Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.
• Please identify your background of work in the legal system as a practicing attorney.
• Please identify specific case types/areas of law that you have had experience practicing.
• Use specific examples in your description to demonstrate your accomplishments.
• Do not exceed 4 pages or approximately 2,000 words.

Work History/Resume ( REQUIRED)

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume section of the application. The attached resume file should include your name.

OR

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application.

All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.

Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school

AND

Five (5) years of experience as a trial attorney in criminal, civil, or family litigation

AND

The qualified candidate must currently be approved by the Oregon Supreme Court to sit as a Circuit Court Judge pro tempore

OR

If not currently approved, the qualified candidate must be approved and complete the process to sit as an Oregon Circuit Court Judge pro tempore within 60 calendar days of the date of hire (additional days to complete the process may be granted to address circumstances beyond the control of the candidate).

PRO TEM APPLICATION INFORMATION

Click here to view the eligibility requirements.

The OJD Pro Tem Application is available here

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

Be an active member of the Oregon State Bar in good standing for a period of at least three years.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter. Please include a clearly labeled section in your cover letter for each Requested Skill and Attribute)

• Knowledge of Statutes: Knowledge of statutes, case law, and procedures applicable to the types of matters commonly assigned to a hearings referee (e.g. family law, juvenile matters, and civil commitment)
• Knowledge of Rules of Evidence: Knowledge of the rules of evidence and procedure, including how you have used them in practice and how you would apply them when making rulings.
• Communication Skills: Clear and effective oral and written communication skills, including examples from past work and how you would use these skills to explain rulings, rights, and procedures.
• Legal Research: Strong legal research and analysis skills, including the ability to identify legal issues quickly and how you would apply those skills in time-sensitive hearing settings.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience using computer programs and court-related systems to search, enter, and maintain information.
• Skill in Applying the Law Skill in understanding, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, regulations, and policies accurately and consistently.
• Skill in Working with Diverse Court Users: Skill in working respectfully and professionally with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who may be unfamiliar with court processes or who may be angry, distraught, or confused.
• Skill in Managing a Hearing: Skill in managing a courtroom or hearing setting effectively or experience that show how you would maintain order, guide proceedings, and ensure procedural fairness.
• Commitment to Impartiality and Fairness: Commitment to impartiality and access to justice, including how you have demonstrated fairness in past roles and how you would ensure that all parties are heard and treated consistently in your courtroom.

Working Conditions

• This is a part-time position, and the work schedule will typically be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. This schedule may occasionally be adjusted with advance notice. This position is FLSA-Exempt and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Occasional after-hours work may be required.
• Frequent virtual, phone, and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Frequent virtual, phone, and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances or highly stressful situations.
• Regular use of the following equipment: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, copy machine, fax machine, and scanner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Criminal Background Check
You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Age-Based Discrimination

OJD does not request or require your age, date of birth, or attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

Veterans’ or Oregon National Guard Preference
Eligible veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking for documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans, Disabled Veterans & State Servicemembers web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here

Employee Benefits
Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.
• Workday related information and resources are available here
• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.