As a problem-solving court, the Municipal Court Judge routinely explains the laws and systems to customers and clients of the Boulder Municipal Court and orders and enforces contempt, failure to appear, abatement of nuisance, and other responsibilities prescribed by charter, code, or ordinance. The Judge evaluates evidence, testimony, and legal briefs and issues written findings as necessary. Furthermore, the Municipal Court Judge issues inspection and search warrants in accordance with applicable law, imposes fines and penalties as authorized, and assesses and collects civil penalties. When needed, the Judge provides input on the creation and revision of City ordinances relevant to impacts on the court or court procedures.

The Municipal Court Judge represents the Court at statewide meetings and conferences and keeps abreast and current in the areas of municipal court policies and leadership through related professional education, training, and development. The Judge assists with the selection and supervision of Associate Judges, Relief Judges, and Law Clerks and actively promotes cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork across Boulder Municipal Court staff and with members of other city departments. The Municipal Court Judge intentionally collaborates with the Court Administrator in developing and refining Court policies and procedures related to adjudication.

Current Opportunities

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with Court staff. Serve as a thought partner and proactively collaborate with the Court Administrator to ensure the Court remains an effective problem-solving court with a dedication to customer service.
• Actively support and look to evolve the Community Court program. Collaborate with Court staff, Navigators, Prosecutors, and mental health/substance abuse partners to address quality of life violations with a problem-solving approach designed to assist in obtaining and sustaining housing.
• Perform periodic reviews of court programs. As a problem-solving court, remain flexible and adaptable, solicit input, monitor trends, and make adjustments as needed to reduce re-offending and improve outcomes.
• Support the principles of procedural fairness. Ensure processes remain fair, offer transparency in actions, provide the opportunity for others to be heard, and be impartial in decision-making with a focus on healing and accountability.
• Dedicate time for genuine and authentic collaboration with criminal justice partners and local social service agencies. Develop relationships and partnerships that support and encourage shared community responsibility to keep Boulder safe.
• Consistently, diligently, and systematically work together with other branches of local government to ensure the protections and rights under the law are afforded equally to all.

The Successful Candidate

The Municipal Court Judge is excited by the opportunity to set the standards for judicial conduct and decision-making in the Boulder Municipal Court. The Judge actively contributes to the evolution of the Court and its programs designed to improve the community. With an inclusive and approachable style, the Municipal Court Judge develops positive relationships, establishes a high level of trust, and actively collaborates with others to achieve the Court’s objectives.

The Municipal Court Judge believes in a fair, effective, and humane justice system. The judge demonstrates a commitment to advancing racial equity as a key organizational value and recognizes racial inequalities, specifically in the justice system. As a steward of the justice system, the Municipal Court Judge does not allow the lack of representation in civil matters to add to the burdens of the poor. The Judge has a passion for developing positive community relations with the ability to build strong, yet independent working relationships with a wide variety of legal, nonprofit, and social service partners. The successful candidate is an effective communicator and active listener who values honesty and integrity and believes in cultivating objectivity and independence to ensure against any perception of bias. The Judge demonstrates effective decision making and brings deep-rooted expertise in conflict resolution, addressing public confrontation, and respectfully interacting with customers and clients of the Court.

The ability to uphold the integrity of the Court and maintain a fair and impartial attitude is essential. The Judge is actively invested in the success of the City, the Court, and the community. The successful candidate participates in local, state, and national associations, including the Center for Justice Innovation, and remains informed on current trends in the justice system. The Municipal Court Judge supports restorative approaches and collaborates to advance the justice system in new, positive directions that ultimately make lives better, families stronger, and communities healthier.

Qualifications

At least five years of experience in the practice of law. Direct municipal law experience, ideally with a successful track record in litigation is essential. Demonstrated proficiency in both creating and maintaining innovative programs and systems to support them is required. Prior leadership experience managing professional staff is essential with direct experience managing Associate/Relief Judges beneficial. Must be an excellent communicator with an organized approach to setting priorities and achieving results. Strong analytical experience and exceptional writing skills are required and experience as a fact finder is desired. Direct experience working with and supporting diverse populations is ideal. Prior experience as a judicial officer is beneficial. A license in good standing to practice law in the State of Colorado or the ability to qualify for Admission on Motion in Colorado is essential. Residency in Boulder County is required.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Inside the City of Boulder

The City of Boulder believes in a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment, where the community adapts and thrives in response to emerging, and sometimes urgent, social, economic, and environmental challenges.

The Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience Framework guides budget and planning processes by providing consistent goals necessary to achieve Boulder’s vision of a great community and the actions required to achieve them. Building on a legacy of innovation, Boulder cultivates a creative spirit in order to adapt and thrive in the changing climate.

Boulder continuously works to provide service excellence for an inspired future through our core values:

• Customer service: We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our community and our co-workers by demonstrating consistent and professional service with a solution-oriented approach.
• Respect: We champion diversity and welcome individual perspectives, backgrounds, and opinions. We are open-minded and treat all individuals with respect and dignity.
• Integrity: We are stewards of the public’s trust and are committed to service that is transparent and consistent with city regulations and policies. We are honorable, follow through on our commitments, and accept responsibility.
• Collaboration: We are committed to organizational success and celebrate our shared dedication to public service. We believe community collaboration and the sum of our individual contributions lead to great results.
• Innovation: We promote a forward-thinking environment that supports creativity, calculated risks, and continuous improvement. We embrace change and learn from others in order to deliver leading-edge service.

Workplace Culture

The City of Boulder believes that a diverse workforce, individual lived experiences, and an inclusive environment add quality and perspective to the services provided to the public. Therefore, the organization intentionally strives to develop and maintain a diverse workforce that values and embraces differences among employees.

An important component of the City’s culture and environment is Boulder’s Leadership Philosophy: We believe each of us is a leader. We are motivated by the opportunities to make a positive difference in our community. Our greatest results are achieved when we:

• Create a respectful, trusting, and supportive environment.
• Rely on, invest in, and celebrate each other’s perspectives, skills, talents, and accomplishments.
• Consult and collaborate with each other to make timely and quality decisions.
• Share responsibility for and learn from the process and outcomes of a creative culture.

Structure of Local Government

The City of Boulder has a council-manager form of government where the elected City Council sets policies and the Council-appointed City Manager administers them. The City Council also appoints the City Attorney and the Municipal Court Judge. The City Council consists of nine members, including a mayor and mayor pro tem, selected by the Council members. Council members are elected at large and may serve up to three terms.

With a 2024 recommended budget of $514.8 Million, the City of Boulder is served by approximately 1500 standard employees. Robust City services are provided through numerous departments and divisions.

The Boulder Municipal Court

The Boulder Municipal Court is a progressive, problem-solving court. We believe in the principles of procedural justice and approach all business from that perspective. Customer service is a priority regardless of your position with the court. We pride ourselves in providing individualized justice no matter the case we address.

The mission of the Municipal Court is to provide an accessible, efficient, and impartial forum for all participants in cases involving municipal ordinance violations; adjudicate cases consistent with the law, the needs of the individual, and the community’s values; and promote public trust in both the justice system and local government.

With a 2024 recommended budget of $2.65 Million, the Boulder Municipal Court has three primary work groups: Administration, Adjudication, and Case Management.

• Administration is responsible for achieving department goals and objectives, managing budgetary and financial information, assuring adherence to policies and regulations, and leading, developing, and supervising court staff.
• Adjudication consists of judges presiding over court sessions with animal, general, parking, photo radar, photo red light, traffic violations, and administrative and civil hearings. Staff manage case flow in and out of the courtroom and set court dates.
• Case Management includes scheduling, payment processing, database management, collections, and other non-compliance actions. Probation staff monitor compliance with court orders and process cases for defendants at Boulder County jail.

The Court team is well regarded and respected and consists of the Presiding Judge, Associate Judge (part-time), four Relief Judges (as needed), Court Administrator, Deputy Court Administrator, Budget and Finance professional, Data Analyst, two Supervisors, seven Court Specialists, two Probation Officers, and two Navigators, and. The team comprises a diverse group of individuals with members from various countries of origin, ethnicities, and physical abilities. We value this diversity because it gives us a broader perspective and understanding of potential barriers to our services.

In addition to the work groups, the Municipal Court has two successful programs that address special populations.

• The Community Court program seeks to address the underlying cause of homelessness and uses sanctions for quality-of-life violations to move individuals forward in the housing process. The program is conducted in partnership with Naropa University and is a collaboration between the Prosecutor’s office, Municipal Court, Health and Human Services, and the Boulder Police Department. Community Court is a mobile court with staff out in the community four times a month.
• The Minor in Possession (MIP) program addresses the underage use of marijuana and alcohol. This program is conducted in partnership with the Colorado University Conduct Office and the Colorado University Restorative Justice Program. The program aims to educate students and young adults about their substance use patterns, the potential consequences of substance use, and the impact of behavior on the community.

The Boulder, Colorado Community

Boulder, Colorado, is located just 30 minutes northwest of Denver, where the plains meet the Rocky Mountains. Tucked into a picturesque valley below the iconic Flatirons, Boulder has a population of approximately 108,000. The City is a great place to live, work, grow, and play.

Boulder is nationally recognized for its quality of life, thriving tech, research-based economy, and booming real estate market. Boulder is also one of the most educated metropolitan areas in the country. The local public schools are excellent, with Boulder Valley School District consistently ranking among the best in the state. In addition, Boulder is a hub of entrepreneurship, particularly for businesses that value a lifestyle rooted in a love of the outdoors, healthy living, and access to resources.

The University of Colorado at Boulder is currently one of the premier public research institutions in the United States and sits in the heart of Boulder. The University has a strong reputation and is especially known for its engineering and science programs, particularly Earth and Space sciences. There are 17 federally funded science laboratories in Boulder, including the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Enjoyment of the outdoors has always been at the forefront of life in Boulder. The community’s Open Space and Mountain Parks form a green belt around the City with over 45,000 acres of land that are preserved and protected. Boulder has over 300 miles of public hiking and biking trails, and its mountain parks and open spaces receive well over five million visitors a year. In addition, residents enjoy 1,800 acres of urban parkland and programming through numerous recreation centers and outdoor pools.

Boulder fosters an environment for artists and audiences to be innovative, experimental, creative, and expressive. The City has a large concentration of artists with more than 30 art galleries, four museums, a dozen movie and stage theaters, and a huge variety of cultural performances each year, including the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Music Festival, and Chautauqua Summer Series.

According to Bon Appétit magazine, Boulder is America’s Foodiest City with local restaurants and chefs insistent on quality, innovation, and flavor. In addition, Boulder is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s healthiest places to live and is a mecca for natural and organic products. Farms, dairies, ranches, markets, and restaurants embrace the idea of local, seasonal, and artisanal food production and cooking. The Boulder Farmers Market is the largest outdoor market in the state, providing a venue for local agricultural producers to sell their products directly to the public. For those who love beer, wine, and spirits, there are 21 breweries, four distilleries, two wineries, and two cideries in Boulder.

While each of the characteristics, passions, and industries that Boulder is known for today emerged organically over time, it is how they work together that makes Boulder…Boulder.

Compensation

The salary range for the Municipal Court Judge is $136,136 – $217,776 with an anticipated hiring range of $159,328 – $194,688 and will depend on the qualifications of the successful candidate. The City of Boulder is a progressive organization that values employee engagement and well-being. The City recognizes the importance of providing an encompassing health and life benefits program to employees, including Hybrid Work, Flex Schedules, Telehealth and Wellness Incentives, Infants and Dogs at Work Program, Local bus Eco-Pass, and an Employee Discount Program on goods and services throughout the Boulder Community. Additional information can be viewed here.

To Be Considered

Respect is one of Boulder’s five City Values, and they are committed to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. The City celebrates and supports differences across all spectrums including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, and sexual orientation. Through the City’s focus on racial equity, employee benefits, and the many program resources offered to employees, Boulder continually strives to weave respect for one another into the fabric of their organization.

Add your voice and talents to the City of Boulder and help them grow in service excellence for an inspired future. Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. Open until filled with the first review of applications on December 11, 2023.

Questions

Please direct questions to Heather Gantz at hgantz@raftelis.com.

Recruitment Brochure