Eligibility Open only to candidates who have been bona fide residents of Boulder City, Nevada, for at least one year. See Minimum Qualifications below.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
The City of Boulder City is seeking a distinguished and civic-minded legal professional to serve as its part-time Municipal Court Judge. This is a position of significant public trust: the Municipal Court Judge upholds the rule of law within Boulder City, presides over matters affecting residents and businesses, and represents the judiciary's independence and integrity within a uniquely governed Nevada community. The City Council will appoint the Municipal Court Judge following a competitive selection process conducted by an Ad Hoc Municipal Court Judge Selection Panel (the "Panel"). The City is seeking a candidate of exceptional judgment, temperament, and character to fill this important role in our community. NATURE OF THE APPOINTMENTThe part-time Municipal Court Judge is appointed by the Boulder City Council, by a concurring vote of not less than three members, pursuant to Boulder City Charter §8, subsection 1(d). The appointment is for an indefinite term rather than a fixed number of years, and is not subject to municipal election, consistent with Charter §8.1(A). Boulder City is one of only two jurisdictions in Nevada where the municipal judge is filled this way rather than by election or by an elected Justice of the Peace serving ex officio. The Judge serves at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed only after written notice and a public hearing before the Council, at which the Judge may be represented by counsel (Charter §8.1(B)).
THE ROLE:
As the presiding judicial officer of the Boulder City Municipal Court, the Judge exercises the independent authority of the Court consistent with NRS Chapter 5 and Article 6 of the Nevada Constitution.
Essential functions include:- Presiding over arraignments, pre-trial conferences, and jury and non-jury trials involving violations of Boulder City municipal code and civil ordinance infractions (not exceeding $2,500), traffic violations, civil traffic infractions, animal violations, and criminal misdemeanor offenses
- Reviewing and signing complaints, summons, subpoenas, arrest and search warrants, and adult diversion forms
- Serving as the Court's on-call judicial officer, available on a 24/7 basis to review requests for search and arrest warrants and determine probable cause
- Conducting initial appearances and adversarial pretrial release hearings within 48 hours of arrest, consistent with constitutional and statutory timelines
- Overseeing the Court Administrator and Court staff, including annual performance evaluations
- Presiding over Boulder City's Breaking the Cycle recovery court and remaining available to drug court staff on participant supervision and safety matters
- Representing the Court in the legislative process through Nevada's judicial committees, and maintaining membership in the Nevada Judges of Limited Jurisdiction Association
- Upholding the Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct and completing required new-judge orientation and ongoing judicial education
This is a part-time, flexible appointment. Court sessions currently include In-Custody/Pretrial Release hearings (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings), Arraignment and Status Check hearings (Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings), Recovery Court (every other Wednesday afternoon), and trials as needed on Thursdays; the Judge must also remain reachable for warrant review outside of scheduled sessions, and sitting days may include evenings, weekends, or holidays as caseload requires.
Class Specifications | PT Municipal Court Judge | Class Spec Details
Pursuant to the City's official class specification and the Boulder City Charter, a qualified candidate must:
Must be available to devote sufficient time to the position on a part-time, flexible basis consistent with Court docket needs.
Must be a duly licensed member of the State Bar of Nevada, in good standing, and meet any additional requirements prescribed by Boulder City ordinance or the City Charter.
Must be a current resident of Boulder City for at least one year.
Must not be currently subject to disciplinary action by the State Bar of Nevada or any other court or tribunal.
Must not have been previously removed or retired from judicial office by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline.
Must not be within the degree of relationship barred by the Charter's anti-nepotism provision - grandparent, parent, uncle, aunt, sibling, nephew, niece, child, or grandchild by birth, marriage, or adoption to a current Boulder City officer, employee, or Council Member at the time of appointment (Charter §8, subsection 1.D).Must, before entering upon the duties of the office, execute a bond to the City in a sum and upon conditions prescribed by the City Council (Charter §123).Must, before entering upon the duties of the office, take and subscribe the constitutional oath of office prescribed for City officers (Charter §118).
SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications will be reviewed by the Panel, and qualified applicants may be invited to an in-person interview. The Panel will then forward its recommendation to the Boulder City Council, which will make the final appointment by a concurring vote of not less than three members. This position is classified as safety-sensitive; the physical and mental demands described in the official class specification must be met, with or without reasonable accommodation. THE AD HOC MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE SELECTION PANELThe ad hoc Municipal Court Judge Selection Panel will be comprised of three current or retired Municipal Court Judges in good standing from any jurisdiction in Nevada. Panelists will review and discuss all applications, and qualified candidates may be invited for an in-person interview. To protect the fairness of the process, applicants and members of the public should direct any questions about the Ad Hoc Municipal Court Judge Selection Panel members to Human Resources at (702) 293-9203 or HR@bcnv.org.EQUAL OPPORTUNITYThe City of Boulder City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection process should contact Human Resources at (702) 293-9203 or HR@bcnv.org as early as possible.
