State of Oregon
Website:
oregon.gov
Job details:
Initial Posting Date
03/30/2026
Application Deadline
04/19/2026
Agency
Judicial Department
Salary Range
$11,470 - $17,792
Position Type
Employee
Position Title
Tax Magistrate for the Oregon Tax Court
Job Description
Interviews: Initial interviews are set for the week of May 11, 2026.
Who We Are
Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD’s efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work experience, education, and any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.
Benefits To You
- We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.
- The annual salary for this position is $137,637 - $213,503.]
- 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
- OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job.
- Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.
Position Highlights
The Oregon Tax Court, in Salem, Oregon, is hiring a
Tax Magistrate.
In This Role, You Will
- Manage cases toward resolution in accordance with the court’s docket management guidelines. This includes reviewing pleadings; holding case management conferences to develop a plan to resolve cases; enforcing plans; resolving procedural disputes; writing intermediate orders; and conducting mediations, oral arguments, and trials.
- Create and publish decisions for any case not dismissed voluntarily, stipulated, or mediated. This includes researching complex questions of tax law, civil procedure, and constitutional law; finding facts; explaining law that is relevant; applying the law to the facts for conclusion; and delivering each decision in accordance with the court’s disposition guidelines.
- Assign drafting, scheduling, and similar tasks to paralegals; assign legal research and writing projects to law clerks and law student externs; review work product; and provide appropriate feedback and guidance.
- Collaborate on court rules, policies, and other administrative work of the court. This includes consulting with the Presiding Magistrate, Staff Counsel, and other court and judicial department personnel about ongoing court projects and initiatives, annual rule revision, court forms, court operations handbooks, and implementation of new technology. This also includes participating in both internal court meetings and external stakeholder meetings.
Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.
Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter, Work History/Resume, and Writing Sample.
Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.
Cover Letter (REQUIRED)
- Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.
- In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.
- Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”
- Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.
- Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.
Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)
- Attach your updated resume in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.
OR
- Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.
Writing Sample (REQUIRED)
- Your writing sample must be no more than 5 pages. Please choose a sample that contains legal analysis and, on the cover page, describe how, if at all, the sample was edited by others and/or generative artificial intelligence.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.
The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on the date listed above.
Minimum Qualifications
(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)
The qualified candidate must have a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
AND
At least two (2) years’ experience practicing law or holding judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative hearings.
OR
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to eight (8) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position. Additional education over the required JD may be a Master of Laws in Taxation (LLM), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification or training in real estate appraisal from the Appraisal Institute.
Special Qualifications
(These must be verifiable.)
The qualified candidate must be an active member of the Oregon State Bar in good standing.
Requested Skills And Attributes
(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)
- Considerable knowledge of law, state and federal income tax law, and civil procedure.
- Considerable knowledge of the rules of evidence.
- Considerable knowledge of the scope and character of Oregon statutory law and provisions of the Oregon Constitution.
- Understanding of the mission statements of the Oregon Judicial Department and the Oregon Tax Court. Working knowledge of dispute resolution techniques, especially mediation.
- Skill in legal research, writing, and editing techniques and judicial opinion drafting including correct use of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Ability to evaluate complex evidence to determine ultimate issues of fact.
- Ability to make decisions in a logical and unbiased manner.
- Ability to demonstrate respect and impartiality through words, actions, and demeanor in a courtroom setting and in online proceedings.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Ability to react to events decisively, effectively, and without prior thought or planning using good judgement and discretion.
- Ability to collaborate respectfully and responsibly with peers, supervisor, and support staff to identify and address legal and procedural issues involving litigants and their representatives.
- Ability to exercise time management skills and balance multiple priorities.
Working Conditions
- This is a full-time position, and the work schedule currently is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This position is FSLA Exempt, therefore, not eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek.
- Occasional after-hours work may be required.
- Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Frequent phone and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma.
- Long periods of sitting or standing.
- Regular use of the following equipment: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, copy machine, fax machine, and scanner.
- Hybrid/Remote work may be eligible and will be at the discretion of the Presiding Magistrate.
Additional Information
Criminal Background Check
You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Reference Checks
By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.
United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
Future Vacancies
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.
Age-Based Discrimination
OJD does not request or require your age, date of birth, or attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
Veterans’ or Oregon National Guard Preference
Eligible veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking for documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans, Disabled Veterans & State Servicemembers web page for additional details, information, and resources.
Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.
Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.
Employee Benefits
Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.
Questions and Support
- If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.
- Workday related information and resources are available here.
- For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.
The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
Click on Apply to know more.