Job Announcement - Judicial Referee Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and copy of law school transcript.

• Easily expresses oneself clearly, concisely, and grammatically, whether orally or in writing.  
• Skilled at and enjoys extensive researching, analyzing, and writing. 
• Demonstrates an ability to provide sound, independent and impartial legal judgments and rulings. 
• Understands the importance of timely decision-making, naturally decisive. 
• Shows a judicial temperament of patience, open-mindedness, courtesy, tact, firmness, understanding, compassion, and humility.

• Juris doctor degree from an accredited law school;
• 3 years of legal practice experience; 
• Valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility;
• License to practice law in the State of ND; and
• Must reside in the judicial district after appointment unless waived by the presiding judge. 

Title of Immediate Supervisor:  Presiding District Court Judge
Accountable For (Job Titles):  None
FLSA Status:  Exempt

The Judicial Referee is responsible for conducting and presiding over formal hearings as enumerated in Administrative Rule 13.  Reviews pleadings, affidavits, case files, and law in preparation for hearings.  Presides over hearings, issues, and writes decisions, findings, conclusions, and/or orders ruling on the facts of the case.

• Prepares for formal hearings and cases by reviewing documents, case files, pleadings, affidavits, and petitions.  Researches applicable laws and cases appropriate to subjects before the court.
• Manages and presides over formal hearings before the court as enumerated in Administrative Rule 13.
  • Oversees courtroom activities of assigned court personnel.
  • Controls court proceedings and participants of the hearing including attorneys and all parties involved in the hearing.
  • Rules on matters of law and whether or not evidence is admissible or non-admissible.
  • Hears testimony and evidence presented during the proceeding and evaluates the credibility and relevance of evidence, facts, and testimony.
  • Considers post-hearing briefs and arguments presented by attorneys post-hearing.
• Prepares and presents written reports stating findings of fact and conclusions based on evidence, with necessary recommendations to the district judge for final decision, which stands as the court order unless superseded by the judge.
• Communicates by letter or conference with attorneys in a given case to give direction.
• Presides over hearings or performs other duties of a magistrate under Administrative Rule 20, Section 5.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level or type as allowed by statute, court rules, or system policy.

Requires a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of three years legal practice experience.

Valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

License to practice law in the State of North Dakota.

Must reside in the judicial district after appointment unless waived by the presiding judge.

Knowledge Requirements:

• Extensive knowledge of general law, civil, criminal, juvenile, and parent and child state laws.
• Knowledge of the fundamental concepts, legal theorems, legal principles and practices used in legal and statutory interpretation.
• Extensive knowledge of the issues, concepts, and legal issues surrounding individual cases and problems before the court.
• Knowledge of legal research, legal references, and established precedents.
• Extensive knowledge of court procedures and rules of evidence.

Skill Requirements:

• Skilled in conducting legal research and the application and interpretation of legal concepts, principles, and legal theorems to the specifics of individual cases.
• Skilled in analyzing, evaluating, and organizing facts of evidence.
• Skilled in applying legal principles, rules, concepts, precedents, and cases in addressing individual cases and legal problems/issues.
• Skilled in applying and exercising sound, independent, and impartial legal judgments and rulings.
• Skilled in formulating and writing decisions, reports, orders, court memorandums, findings of fact, or other documents to communicate rulings and decisions.
• Skilled in managing and controlling court proceedings in an orderly, fair, and impartial manner consistent with court rules and processes.
• Proficiently uses required software programs.

Physical Requirements:

• The essential functions of the job typically require: grasping, sitting, standing, walking, talking, hearing, feeling, reaching, and fingering requirements or other reasonable methods that accommodate an individual in completing the essential functions of the job.
• Work is performed in a comfortable courtroom setting.
• Employee may be subject to some travel in the performance of the job.  Employee has control over travel schedule and can often adjust schedules due to adverse weather or travel conditions.
• Physical requirements can typically be characterized as Sedentary Work:  Exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.