Title: Chief Magistrate – District 7

State Role Title: Chief Magistrate

Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Supreme Court

Location: Newport News Magistrates' Off

Agency Website: WWW.Vacourts.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Commonwealth of Virginia has an opening for a Chief Magistrate position in the 7th District in Magisterial Region 8. A Chief Magistrate is an independent judicial officer appointed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia tasked with supervising magistrates and maintaining relationships with judges, clerks of court, and other local government officials to ensure efficient functioning of the magistrate system. This position offers a competitive benefits package which includes vacation and sick leave, paid state and federal holidays, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, deferred compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits.

Minimum Qualifications

Under § 19.2-36 of the Code of Virginia, a Chief magistrate must meet all of the qualifications of a magistrate under § 19.2-37 and must be a member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar. Please review § 19.2-36 and §19.2-37 to ensure you are eligible for appointment as a Chief Magistrate.


Duties and Responsibilities:

A Chief Magistrate is a judicial officer appointed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. A Chief Magistrate’s duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

· daily supervision over magistrates he or she supervises;

· recruiting, training, and evaluating the magistrates within the district;

· implementing and applying policies for the magistrates within the district;

· addressing and resolving conflicts and complaints;

· developing and maintaining good relationships with magistrates and other chief magistrates within the region;

· developing and maintaining good relationships with OES departments, courts, and other local agencies;

· completing special projects assigned by the Magistrate Regional Supervisor;

· reviewing and responding to correspondence, emails, and telephone inquiries; · performing the duties and responsibilities of a magistrate as enumerated in § 19.2-45, when necessary; and

· supporting the Department of Magistrate Services and the Office of the Executive Secretary.


Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The successful candidate must be a citizen of the United States, a member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar, possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, and either be or become a resident of Virginia prior to appointment. Extensive knowledge of the Virginia judicial system, including criminal law and procedures; excellent analytical, decision making, and communication skills (written and verbal) are required; and management or supervisory experience is required. The successful candidate must maintain a flexible work schedule and be willing to be on-call at all times.


The most competitive applicants will have demonstrated leadership abilities, demonstrated interpersonal and diplomatic skills, and demonstrated excellence in prior academic or professional endeavors.

Additional Considerations

Magistrates are subject to the Canons of Conduct for Virginia Magistrates. See http://www.courts.state.va.us/courtadmin/aoc/mag/resources/canons.pdf.


If not currently certified as a magistrate, the successful candidate must attend an intensive training course which focuses on Virginia law and procedure, pass a written examination, and complete a certification process that includes supervised on-the-job training. Overnight travel may be required for students outside the Richmond area.


The successful candidate must sign a training repayment agreement which requires the magistrate to reimburse, pro-rata, the Office of the Executive Secretary for actual training costs if the magistrate leaves employment during training or within two years of completing training. The position requires a 40-hour work week and the ability to travel throughout the district, region, and state.


All candidates are subject to a criminal history background check. Proof of U.S citizenship and Virginia residency must be provided.


Under § 19.2-37 of the Code of Virginia, no person appointed as a magistrate on or after July 1, 2008, may engage in the practice of law.


Special Instructions


A STATE APPLICATION MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.


In addition to the state application, each applicant must submit:

· A current resume;

· A cover letter; and

· Transcripts for all undergraduate and post-graduate education.


All applications and required materials must be submitted online.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Te'Aria Bennett

Phone: No Calls

Email: Humanresources@vacourts.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.