Title: Magistrate - Chesterfield

State Role Title: Salary Non-Specified

Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Supreme Court

Location: 12th Dist. CSU Chesterfield

Agency Website: www.vacourts.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Commonwealth of Virginia has an opening for a Magistrate position in Chesterfield Magistrate Office in Magisterial Region 3. Although the primary location for this position is in Chesterfield, a Magistrate is appointed to a Region and may be assigned anywhere within the Region. Region 3 is comprised of the Counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Surry, Sussex, and the Cities of Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell and Petersburg. A Magistrate is an independent judicial officer appointed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. The Magistrate will be required to work throughout the region. The Magistrate must possess a fundamental working knowledge of Virginia ordinances and laws and have a demonstrated ability to impartially and efficiently apply that knowledge in the resolution of legal issues.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities –

A Magistrate is a judicial officer appointed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. A Magistrate’s duties and responsibilities include:
• Issuing arrest warrants and summonses for criminal offenses and other violations of Virginia law;
• Issuing search warrants;
• Conducting bail hearings and admitting persons charged with criminal offenses to bail or committing them to jail;
• Issuing Emergency Protective Orders;
• Issuing mental health and medical custody and detention orders; and
• Performing other acts or functions authorized by law.

Magistrate offices are open 7 days per week 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays, and the specific schedule may vary. Magistrates work under the supervision of a Chief Magistrate. 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 § 19.2-37 of the Code of Virginia, a Magistrate must be a United States citizen, be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Please review § 19.2-37 to ensure you are eligible for appointment as a Magistrate.

— Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
— Excellent English speaking, listening, and writing skills
— Strong interpersonal skills
— Computer proficiency
— Preference for prior legal system experience
— Law degree and Virginia State Bar license a plus

Additional Considerations

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

Transcripts for all undergraduate and post-graduate education must be provided before the start of employment.

A successful applicant must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
• Fluency in written and spoken English with strong communications skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact in a professional manner with coworkers, complainants, petitioners, and witnesses, including law enforcement officers;
• Strong reading comprehension skills;
• Ability to research and interpret the Code of Virginia and other legal resources;
• Ability to conduct judicial hearings in a neutral and impartial manner;
• Ability to ascertain facts from oral testimony and written submissions and apply them to relevant legal principles;
• Ability to properly account for funds; and
• General computer proficiency and typing skills.

A successful applicant may also:
• Possess relevant legal experience, training, or education; and/or
• Be a member of Virginia State Bar.

This position offers a competitive benefits package, which includes vacation and sick leave, 12 paid holidays, health insurance, retirement, life insurance, deferred compensation and short- and long-term disability.

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 previously 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.

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. The Canons of Conduct for Virginia Magistrates applies to this position. See http://www.courts.state.va.us/courtadmin/aoc/mag/resources/canons.pdf

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.

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; and
• A cover letter.
If you have your unofficial transcript (s), please upload it under Applicant Documents.


All applications and required materials must be submitted online.

If you have your unofficial transcript (s), please upload it under Applicant Documents.

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

Applicants must apply online. Only interviewed applicants will be notified of the filling of the position. No phone calls or e-mails regarding application status.

Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – Employment at an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Learn more to see whether you might qualify!
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

The Virginia Judicial System is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. Applicants who need accommodations for an interview should request this in advance. All candidates are subject to a criminal history background check before being offered employment.

Contact Information

Name: Tina M. Jackson

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.