Magistrate – Roanoke

23rd Judicial District - Office of the Magistrate

Recruitment began on March 2, 2026

and the job listing Expires on April 2, 2026

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency Website: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov

Recruitment Type: General Public – G

Job Duties

The Commonwealth of Virginia has an opening for a Magistrate position in the Roanoke City Magistrate Office in Magisterial Region 2. The anticipated start date for this position is May 25 or June 10.

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 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.

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;
• 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

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. Paid overnight travel may be required for students outside the Richmond area to attend the in-person weeks of the Certification School.

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.

Additional Considerations

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;
• Transcripts from undergraduate and post-graduate education.

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.

Contact Information

Phone:
No calls

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