Civil Traffic Hearing Officer/Initial Appearance Master (Grade 16)

at Yuma County in Yuma, Arizona, United States

Job Description

NATURE OF WORK Under the direction of the Presiding Justice of the Peace, the Justice Court Civil Traffic Hearing Officer/Initial Appearance Master conducts hearings and related proceedings in cases involving criminal, civil traffic, and civil mediation matters and renders decisions based on the facts presented; Initial Appearances Hearings are conducted on weekends and holidays to determine release conditions, whereas Civil Traffic and civil mediation cases will be heard weekdays; under administrative direction, the Civil Traffic Hearing Officer/Initial Appearance Master performs technical work of moderate difficulty in judicial law, investigative duties and techniques involving mediation; this position has department-specific responsibilities involving warrant processing and training.

Nature of Work

(Illustrative Only) Conducts weekends and holidays Initial Appearances setting bonds and imposing conditions of release; conducts hearings and related proceedings on contested civil traffic matters, hearing testimony, ruling on motions and rendering determinations on information and evidence presented; conducts mediation hearings on civil law suits; assures individuals comply with court orders, fines and monetary sanctions through the processing of warrants via JAU; hears testimony, questions witnesses and examines evidence; assesses penalties, issues sanctions and compels attendance of witnesses; reviews citations for technical violations, schedules hearings and pre-hearing conferences; uses independent judgment and objectivity when hearing and evaluating evidence presented, questions witnesses and determines responsibility based upon relevance of evidence presented; analyzes evidence in order to render fair and equitable judgment; applies law and precedent to facts and rules; informs defendants of their rights and any sentence that may be imposed, in a manner that makes the information clearly understandable; enters default judgments against defendants who fail to appear; assess prescribed fines; administers oaths, instructs parties as to their rights and conduct orderly hearings; ensures that appeals are documented and filed appropriately based on rules and procedures; enters legal decisions into the court record; interprets County Code, State laws, and Arizona Rules; prepares reports and related documentation; champions the values of the court through example and accountabilities; operates a variety of office equipment such as photocopiers, desktop computers and facsimile machines; completes duties, special assignments and projects as assigned; regular and reliable attendance is required; performs other duties as assigned.  

Work Environment:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity.; generally the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking and 20% standing; the job is performed under minimal temperature variations and in a generally hazard free environment.