United States Magistrate Judge
U.S. Courts
Posted: April 6, 2026 (0 days ago)
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State of Alaska
Alaska Court System
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job is for a Magistrate Judge in Anchorage, Alaska, where you'll handle a variety of court cases like domestic violence hearings, traffic violations, child welfare matters, and mental health commitments, while also possibly leading trials and training other judges.
It's a four-year appointed position with a one-year probation period, ideal for experienced lawyers who want to serve the community by making fair decisions in everyday legal issues.
A good fit would be someone with a strong legal background, good judgment, and a passion for justice in a state court system.

The Alaska Court System is recruiting for a Magistrate Judge to join the Anchorage Team 1 group. Magistrate Judges perform a range of judicial duties in accordance with Alaska Statute 22.15.
Responsibilities include handling complex domestic violence proceedings, arraignments, bail hearings, traffic cases, and search warrant applications.
The role may also involve conducting jury trials and small claims cases, depending on court needs.
In the capacity of Standing Master, the position presides over child in need of aid and delinquency proceedings under Alaska Statutes 47.10 and 47.12, as well as related court rules.
The judge also oversees matters involving mental health and alcohol commitment proceedings pursuant to applicable statutes and probate rules.
Additional responsibilities include serving as a training judge for magistrates and deputy magistrates, participating in special committee assignments, and performing limited clerical or administrative tasks.
The position may also take on other duties as assigned. Duties and time allocation may vary based on the operational needs of the court.
A Magistrate Judge 3 requires knowledge of:
Magistrate Judges are appointed to a four-year term and serve a one-year probationary period. The probationary period may be extended.
Following successful completion of the probationary period, an incumbent may only be removed from office for cause during their term.
A Magistrate Judge may be reappointed to additional four-year terms.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited law school with a JD degree AND active membership in the Alaska Bar Association (ABA).
TO BE CONSIDERED: Please attach a letter of interest, comprehensive resume, a list of three professional references, and a writing sample no more than 10 pages in length.
NOTE: Applicants invited to interview will be required to provide information regarding their involvement in any legal proceedings in which they were a party in a non-representative capacity, and undergo a criminal background and credit check.

Exceptional Benefits for Full-Time Employees
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, and optional vision coverage, and employer-paid life insurance.
Employees are enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan (SBS), with access to the Alaska Deferred Compensation Plan.
Personal leave is accrued for vacation, illness, or personal needs.
Enjoy peace of mind and long-term security while serving your community.
See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/index.html for additional information.
IMPORTANT: Please attach a letter of interest in employment with the Alaska Court System. Failure to submit a letter may disqualify you from consideration for an interview.
For more information on the Alaska Court System, please visit:
http://www.courts.alaska.gov
For information about what state courts do, please watch the following short video:
VIDEO: The who, what, when, where and how of state courts
The Alaska Court System is an EEO employer and proudly promotes diversity.

This applies to your application submission.
Documents to be Attached to the Application (REQUIRED):
LETTER OF INTEREST
Please attach this to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application email it to
recruitment@akcourts.gov.
Your letter should: 1) Be professionally written and include proper format, grammar, spelling and punctuation. 2) Explain how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position.
3) Explain why you are the best candidate for the position. Your letter will be used to help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.
If you do not attach a professional letter of interest, you may not move on to the interview phase.
LEGAL EMPLOYMENTThe State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States.
It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The Alaska Court System does not sponsor visas.
WORK EXPERIENCEIf using work experience not already documented in your application, provide the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment and whether full or part-time.
Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and Minimum Qualifications are clearly met.
If they are not, the applicant will not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.
EDUCATIONIf post-secondary education is required to meet the Minimum Qualifications, you must fill in the Education and Training section of the application.
If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of credit hours earned in the Degree Obtained field.
Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications for the position and are required with each application.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATIONEducation completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S.
education programs; or an accredited U.S.
post-secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post-secondary institution.
It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
SELECTION PROCEDUREApplicants will be required to meet the Minimum Qualifications as outlined above. Unfortunately, we cannot always interview all applicants.
If your application is considered "not qualified," you will be sent a notice within two weeks after the closing date for this recruitment.
If you believe your application was improperly disqualified, you may appeal this decision to the Human Resources Director at 820 West 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501-2005 within five workdays from the date the notice is mailed to you.
Qualified applications will be forwarded to the hiring supervisor.
MULTIPLE VACANCIES NOTICEThis recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy.
The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to sixty (60) days after this recruitment closes.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.
NEPOTISM REVIEWTo avoid a conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety, applicants who have a spouse, close relative, and/or regular member of their household employed by the Alaska Court System may not be considered for employment without the approval of the Administrative Director.BACKGROUND CHECKA background check will be conducted prior to an employment offer being made.
Applicants who have prior convictions that have been set aside under the terms of a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) may answer "no" to these questions.
If you are not sure if your situation requires disclosure, please contact the Human Resources Department at (907) 264-8242. The Court System reserves the right to confirm all background information.
Contact Title: Recruitment
E-Mail: recruitment@akcourts.gov
Mailing Address: 820 West 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone Number: (907) 264-8242
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