General Magistrate (Family)

Department:

Court Administration

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The essential function of the Family Magistrate position is to conduct hearings and enter recommended orders on matters referred for hearing.

The essential function of the Family Magistrate position is to conduct hearings and enter recommended orders on matters referred for hearing.  The position is responsible for setting referred cases for hearing, conducting hearings, making determinations on cases, and preparing recommended orders for the parties and referring judge’s consideration.  The position also presides over weekly Baker Act and Marchman Act hearings.  The position works under the general supervision of the Court Administrator. Travel to other courthouse locations as needed. 

 

The successful applicant must be proficient using computers to review electronic court files and Microsoft Word to generate recommended orders. Excellent writing, time management and attention to detail are important skills in this position.

  

All applicants are encouraged to read the un-numbered section of the Code of Judicial Conduct titled “Application of the Code of Judicial Conduct” which provides that anyone who performs judicial functions, including a hearing officer, commissioner, or a general magistrate, shall comply with Canons 1, 2A, and 3, and such other provisions of the Code that might reasonably be applicable.  Applicants should also be familiar with the Opinions of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.

 

This position requires considerable knowledge of the legal system, court processes and procedures, with an emphasis on evidentiary and discovery matters. The applicant must know civil procedure, family law rules and be able to write detailed orders and make specific findings of fact.

The successful applicant is required to attend two weeks of Florida Judicial College magistrate education training, currently scheduled to be held in the Orlando area January 3-8, 2027, and March 7-12, 2027.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.