Special Magistrate

Posting Close DateApplicants must submit their completed application by 09-20-2026 at 11:59 p.m. MSTApplication and Special InstructionsApplication and Special Instructions
Tucson City Court is currently seeking a qualified individual interested in joining our team as a Special Magistrate. This position is appointed by the City Council to serve a two (2) year term of office and may be reappointed to an additional two (2) year terms.
The ideal candidate is a well-rounded legal professional admitted to the practice of law by the Arizona Supreme Court, in good standing, with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the practice of law, including experience in a trial courtroom setting. Along with the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, the Special Magistrate must be able to conduct and control civil and criminal courtroom proceedings. Commitment to the rule of law, public service, professionalism, integrity, and high ethical standards are qualities essential to this position. Required knowledge includes general civil and criminal law; court procedures; rules of evidence; appellate procedures; methods of legal research; general court policies and procedures; Microsoft Office products; and other relevant technologies.
Your application will be considered incomplete if the questionnaire is not completed and your Arizona Bar card is not uploaded before the position closes.
Instructions for the link: Without closing the job posting, copy and paste the link into a new tab to open and complete the questionnaire.
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7Fke0gjC60Oq8c8G2aGW4OMKAtvmPNZAsJs1ipGB6ChUOVROVzlUQ0VHQUlBSDE0R085NFhGQjlWNi4u
Please ensure both the questionnaire and your Arizona Bar card are submitted before the position closes on Sunday, 09/20/2026.
This position is on-site at City Court Office. Remote or hybrid work arrangements are not available at this time.
Interview Information:
Highest-scoring applicants will be invited to an in-person panel interview at the City Court Office during the week of September 28, 2026.
Recruiter Contact Information:
If you have any questions, please contact Noelle Smith at [email protected].ABOUT THIS JOB

Position Specific Summary

Special Magistrates are on-call pro tem judges, who serve a two year term, that are used to cover specific events on the court calendar when a full-time City Magistrate is otherwise unavailable to cover their assigned calendar due to illness, vacation, attendance at meetings or training. Special magistrate use is by a court session which is a 4 hour block of time.

Work is performed under the supervision of the Presiding Magistrate of the Court. This position does not supervise.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Presides over a variety of hearings including criminal misdemeanors, civil traffic, code enforcement, parking hearings, ex parte and contested protective orders, animal forfeitures, and other matters within the jurisdiction of Tucson City Court.  Ensures court procedures are followed, and all parties are provided an opportunity to present their case information.
• Manages and assigned caseload and courtroom calendar, working with attorneys, litigants, and court staff to set and hold hearings and trials in accordance with local, state and federal requirements and within efficient timeliness.
• Makes legal rulings based on information presented and ensures compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws.  Issues orders in writing and orally on a wide variety of legal issues and procedures.
• Preforms duties as a backup and / or substitute judge in the event of expected and unexpected absences.
• Interacts professionally with self-represented litigants, attorneys, witnesses, jurors, court staff, and other members of the public.  Provides legal guidance to all parties on court procedures.  Mitigates disputes between parties.
• All other duties and responsibilities as assigned based on the needs of the court.

Working Conditions

• Mostly office environment. 

All duties and responsibilities listed are subject to change.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation: Juris Doctorate
Work Experience: Five (5) years of relevant experience
Member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona
Any candidate shall be:
Of good moral character.
A resident of Arizona for one (1) year immediately preceding recommendation for appointment.
Admitted to the practice of law for five (5) years immediately preceding recommendation for appointment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Limited jurisdiction trial court experience as a judge or a litigating attorney.POSITION DETAILSJob ProfileJ0635H - Special Magistrate (UC-H)

To view the full job profile including classification specifications and physical demands click https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Tucson-Talent.

Compensation GradeG0635HHourly Range$70.18 - 70.18 USD

The City of Tucson considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)ExemptPosition TypeAppointedTime TypePart timeDepartmentCity CourtDepartment Linkhttps://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Tucson-City-CourtBackground Check 

This position has been designated to require a criminal background check.  The City of Tucson is a Second Chance Employer.

ABOUT USBenefits

The City of Tucson offers a generous benefits package for benefit-eligible positions. The comprehensive, flexible, and affordable coverage is designed to optimize health and well-being, security and future, and peace of mind. Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings. With your well-being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years. We offer twelve weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off- and on-the-job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours. You can learn more about our benefits at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefit-Snapshot.

Citizenship

The City of Tucson employs only U.S. Citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. Citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Status. The City of Tucson does not offer visa sponsorship.

City of Tucson is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer

The City does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, age, disability, genetic testing, or any other protected status.  If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, you may file a complaint with the City of Tucson's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Arizona Attorney General's Office of the Civil Rights Division (ACRD). 

ADA Accessibility Complaint Form

The City of Tucson is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities or who require religious accommodation; please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 520-791-2619.   

Recruiter NameNoelle Smith (103931)Recruiter Email[email protected]

For Human Resources general questions please contact 520-837-4190.