JOB The Tenth Judicial District, which includes eight counties in the Northern Suburbs of the Twin Cities Metro Area (Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright), is seeking attorneys to serve as Conciliation Court referees. Conciliation Court, also known as "small claims court," is a division of District Court and handles claims for money and property that do not exceed $15,000 and consumer credit transactions that do not exceed $4,000. Conciliation Court referees preside over calendars of approximately 25 cases per half day session in a remote setting. Per-diem Conciliation Court referee coverage will begin July 1, 2024, with possibility of coverage needed earlier based on program transitions. Please note that these are contractor positions with the Tenth District. Candidates contracted for these opportunities will not be employees of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. They will be compensated on a contractual, per-diem basis, at the rate of $75.00 per half day, and they are excluded from eligibility of benefits available to MJB employees. The engagement of Conciliation Court Referees is governed by Minnesota Statute 491A.03. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES: Serves at the pleasure of the Chief Judge or designeeExercises all the duties and powers granted to a Conciliation Court Referee by M.S.A. 491A.03, Subdivision 1Familiarity with M.S.A. 491A.01 through 491.03Compliance with the Code of Judicial Conduct as adopted by the MN Supreme Court Refrains from making any extra-judicial public statements about pending proceedingsProhibits broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom or virtual hearing during sessions of Conciliation Court or recessesPrioritizes assignments and disposes promptly of the business of Conciliation CourtAffords every party in a proceeding the full right to be heard according to law and maintains compliance with Rule 2.9 of the Code of Judicial ConductConciliation Court referees shall not serve as a lawyer in the County's conciliation court for which they serve, nor as a lawyer in any appeals from judgments originating from the County's conciliation court for which they servePresides over assigned hearings; reviews court calendars before scheduled sessions of court; grants continuances; reads or listens to allegations and determines if action is supported by facts; hears and evaluates evidence of witnesses and technical experts; listens to presentation of case; and rules on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony Prepares orders that meet Judicial Branch standardsCarries out work assignments with a substantial degree of discretion and independent judgement in accordance with applicable state laws, rules of court and local practicesMaintains order and decorum in all proceedings and treats all parties with courtesy and respectPerform legal research if neededAbility to learn, adapt, and utilize technology in operation of electronic devices SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Service and Compensation: Must not cancel a scheduled assignment more than twice in a twelve-month periodWill be compensated in the amount of $75 per half day court session District Specific Information: If working remotely, access to a computer and webcam with reliable, high-speed internet allowing for video and document sharingWork will include hearings across multiple counties of the Tenth Judicial DistrictOption to work remotely or in person at the Tenth Judicial District Office located in City of RamseyTypical scheduling for this work is one morning calendar or one afternoon calendar, with a potential for both in the same dayMust serve at least once every three months.Time to complete a calendar depends upon the number of cases assigned, but typically, should not exceed three hoursOrders from hearing must be produced to Court Administration within 48 hours of the hearingInstructions to Apply: Please apply for this position online by clicking the Apply link near the top of this page. (For instructions on creating and submitting your online application, click on the How to Apply link in the left-hand menu at the top of this page). This posting will be accepting applications and interviewing until the roles are filled. Contact Information: Please contact the Tenth District Human Resources Department with questions regarding this posting via email at 10thDistrictHumanResources@courts.state.mn.us. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting Human Resources at 10thDistrictHumanResources@courts.state.mn.us. The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employee. It is the policy of the Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Conciliation Court Referee – Tenth Judicial District

Minnesota Judicial Branch