The City of Auburn, Washington, is requesting applications from well-qualified attorneys interested in serving as the Presiding Judge for the City of Auburn Municipal Court, which will begin operations January 1, 2027, pursuant to Auburn City Code Chapter 2.14 (Ordinance No. 7002) and RCW 3.50 et seq.

The Municipal Court will exercise exclusive jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors arising under City ordinances, traffic infractions, parking infractions, and other matters authorized by law. The Court will operate as an independent judicial branch consistent with General Rule 29 while working collaboratively with City Administration on budget, staffing, and facility issues to ensure efficient delivery of justice services to the Auburn community.

The Presiding Judge will lead the initial implementation of the Municipal Court and the establishment of court procedures, case-management systems, and judicial administrative processes.

The Municipal Court Judge presides over and adjudicates a variety of hearings and trials relating to civil infractions and parking cases, criminal misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases in accordance with established legal procedures as prescribed by Washington State law; imposes appropriate sentences and penalties as prescribed by law; and maintains communication with other city, county, and state criminal-justice agencies.

The person selected must take an oath of office under RCW 3.50.097, be bondable, and be available nights and weekends for probable-cause determinations and review of search warrants. The judge must comply with the Code of Judicial Conduct and ethics laws applicable to judicial officers. The appointed judge must be a citizen of the United States and of the State of Washington and must reside in either King or Pierce County throughout the duration of their appointment, in accordance with RCW 3.50.057.

The judge is appointed by the Mayor of Auburn, subject to confirmation by the City Council (Auburn City Code 2.14.040).

The Mayor plans to appoint a Presiding Judge who will, prior to the official commencement of court operations on January 1, 2027, assist with the establishment of the Auburn Municipal Court and participate in the selection of the Court Administrator. For any hours worked in support of these pre-establishment activities, the Judge will be compensated at an hourly rate established by the City. The first judicial appointment to this position will become effective January 1, 2027, and will expire December 31, 2029, aligning with the statutory term cycle confirmed by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Thereafter, judges will be elected to four-year terms in accordance with RCW 3.50.055 and 3.50.050. The Presiding Judge is expected to devote full-time service to the Court and not hold any other judicial appointment. The Court’s primary facilities are located at the Auburn Justice Center, 340 E Main St., Auburn, WA.

The City recognizes the need for judicial independence. Consistent with General Rule 29, the Presiding Judge has independence from the executive and legislative branches in carrying out purely judicial responsibilities. At the same time, the Municipal Court is a city department subject to oversight as allowed by law. The expectation is that the Court and City Administration will maintain a collaborative relationship on decisions affecting budget, staffing, and level of service.

Essential Functions

• Preside over criminal, traffic, and civil matters within the jurisdiction of the Court.
• Review and issue search and arrest warrants and make probable-cause determinations.
• Conduct arraignments, pre-trial hearings, bench and jury trials, sentencings, and post-judgment proceedings.
• Provide leadership and direction to Municipal Court staff, appointed in accordance with Auburn City Code 2.14.090 and GR 29.
• Oversee Court operations including case flow, collections, budget, and technology systems.
• Coordinate with the Police Department, Prosecutor, and Public Defense programs to ensure timely and equitable adjudication of cases.
• Ensure the Court maintains accurate records and timely reporting to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
• Maintain knowledge of law and procedure through continuing judicial education and participation in the Washington District and Municipal Court Judges Association.
• Represent the Court in inter-jurisdictional meetings and collaborative initiatives involving justice, equity, and public safety.

Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney or judicial officer.

Preferred Experience

• Service as a Municipal or District Court Judge or Judge Pro Tempore.
• Experience in court administration or court startup operations.
• Familiarity with JABS/JIS, Odyssey/Enterprise Justice, and electronic case-management systems.
• Experience with Community, Mental Health, or Veterans Courts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of Washington criminal law, rules of evidence, and local ordinances.
• Ability to analyze complex facts and apply legal principles impartially.
• Strong communication and decision-making skills in a public setting.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with City leadership and staff while maintaining judicial independence.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
The salary for the Auburn Municipal Court Presiding Judge will be set by City Council consistent with applicable state law and City ordinance. Based on current Washington State District Court Judge salary levels (RCW 43.03.012), the estimated annual salary is approximately $226,096, with any future wage adjustments subject to Council approval and applicable law.

Prior to the Municipal Court’s commencement of operations on January 1, 2027, any work performed to support court establishment will be compensated on a temporary, non-benefited hourly basis at an estimated rate of $108.70 per hour, subject to any applicable wage adjustments approved under state law and City ordinance.

Upon the Court becoming operational on January 1, 2027, this position will be eligible for the City’s full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, PERS retirement, and VEBA.

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION
Team Auburn values a wide range of perspectives and life experiences and believes our strength comes from the diversity of people and ideas. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals who will help us foster a workplace built on respect, collaboration, and service to the community.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)
The City of Auburn is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.

READY TO APPLY?
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The City of Auburn is dedicated to building an inclusive, informed city, with opportunities for all. In alignment with that goal, the City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the initial screening of applications. For that reason, hiring managers will not be viewing any attachments to your application, including a cover letter or resume, during the initial screening.

Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application, and thoroughly answer the supplemental questions. You must meet the minimum qualifications to move forward in the screening process.

Please note that if you are selected to move forward after an interview, a thorough background check, reference check, and fingerprinting will be completed before a formal job appointment will be made.

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY OF AUBURN
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the recruitment process. E-mails from auburnwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources Manager, Melissa Medisch, or Human Resources Director, Candis Martinson.