Summary
A successful candidate will play an active role in the City of College Park’s existing operational success. The purpose of the position is to provide leadership, direction, and general administrative oversight to the Environmental divisions of the City Government.
Essential Functions
Independent judgment is required to identify, select, and apply the most appropriate of available guidelines and procedures as well as interpret precedents. This position is responsible for presiding over cases involving environmental regulations, land use, natural resource protection, code enforcement, and related civil or misdemeanor matters. The judge ensures that all proceedings are conducted fairly, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and court rules. Serving as a member of the Court’s senior management team, collaborates with the Chief Judge and other City departments on strategy and policy to ensure that the City’s mission and core values are incorporated into operational activities and services.
- Preside over hearings, trials, and motions involving environmental violations, zoning regulations, conservation laws, solid waste, water quality, air quality, and other environmental matters.
- Review and interpret local, state, and federal environmental statutes and ordinances.
- Issue rulings, findings, and written decisions based on evidence, legal standards, and judicial precedent.
- Impose penalties, fines, remediation orders, or corrective actions as authorized by law.
- Ensure procedural fairness and maintain impartiality in all cases.
- Manage a part-time docket of environmental cases, including scheduling hearings, conducting status conferences, and overseeing case progression.
- Review filings, reports, motions, and evidence submitted by parties, agencies, inspectors, and attorneys.
- Work collaboratively with court staff, environmental officers, and legal counsel to maintain efficient case flow.
- Coordinate with environmental agencies, local government departments, and enforcement personnel regarding compliance efforts.
- Participate in educational initiatives or public outreach related to environmental compliance and court processes (if required).
- Maintain professional relationships with attorneys, litigants, and community stakeholders.
- Prepare and maintain accurate case records, orders, and judicial documentation.
- Attend training, continuing legal education (CLE), or judicial education programs related to environmental law and ethics.
- Adhere to judicial codes of conduct and confidentiality requirements.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that logically relate to the position.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of principles and practice of court and record center processes and management.
- Knowledge of the jail, probation, and public defense best practices and legal requirements.
- Knowledge of the public disclosure law of the State of Georgia.
- Knowledge ofCity legislative processes, fiscal and budget management processes, and applicable administrative policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of current and related city issues and stakeholders, both internal and external, as well as other governmental legislative and agency processes, players, and issues.
- Knowledge of applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations.
- Ability to articulate the goals and work understandably and appropriately for the particular audience or individual.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective organizational structure, financial control, and management information systems.
- Ability to identify the future direction in response to changing community needs and to develop, implement, and monitor appropriate plans, schedules, and action steps.
- Ability to interpret, explain, and apply complex guidelines, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to read and understand criminal and civil complaints, statutes and codes, letters, legal documents, and legal terminology.
- Ability to understand and complete complex clerical work, as well as carry out various other work processes to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the court.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality & work independently while demonstrating initiative and making sound judgments.
- Knowledge of office systems, practices, and administration.
- Ability to review processes and compare information to identify discrepancies and deviating circumstances.
- Ability to organize and prioritize tasks.
- Must be able to use tact and courtesy in dealing with the public.
- Must be able to analyze and evaluate procedures and work processes, and to exercise appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and work methods.
- Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships to deal effectively and courteously with others, and to work independently and in team settings.
- Must be able to type or use a personal computer with word processing and related software, and to enter and retrieve information with reasonable speed and accuracy.
- Moderate physical activity. Requires handling objects of average weight up to fifty (50) pounds, standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
- Note: In compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), those functions of the job that are identified as essential are required to be performed with or without reasonable accommodations. Requests to facilitate the performance of essential functions will be given careful consideration.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Admission to the state bar in good standing.
- Prior judicial experience or extensive experience in environmental law, administrative law, land use, or related fields preferred.
- Strong knowledge of environmental regulations and court procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to manage hearings impartially and effectively.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- Possession of a valid Driver's License issued by the State of Georgia.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Experience in communicating with diverse communities and in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite, as well as knowledge and understanding of the organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures.
- Pre-employment screening is required: criminal background check and drug testing.
