United States Magistrate Judge

Summary The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of a full-time United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania at Pittsburgh and Johnstown. The vacancy for Pittsburgh will occur as of October 17, 2026, upon the retirement of current United States Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly. The vacancy for Johnstown is expected to be filled on or after April 1, 2027. Learn more about this agency Duties The duties of the position are demanding and wide-ranging and will include, but are not limited to: (1) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conduct of various pretrial matters including motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment and discovery motions, and evidentiary proceedings on reference from the judges of the District Court; (4) conduct of most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases. The basic authority of a United States Magistrate Judge is specified in 28 U.S.C. § 636. Requirements Conditions of employment FBI full-field investigation and an IRS tax compliance check of the applicant selected by the court for appointment. The individual selected must comply with the financial disclosure requirements pursuant to the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, Pub. L. No. 95-521, 92 Stat. 1824 (1978) (as amended) (codified at 5 U.S.C. §§ 13101-13111) as implemented by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Qualifications To be qualified for appointment an applicant must: Be, and have been for at least five years, a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands of the United States; Have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years (with some substitutes authorized); Be competent to perform all the duties of the office, of good moral character, emotionally stable and mature, committed to equal justice under the law, in good health, patient, courteous, and capable of deliberation and decisiveness; Be less than 70 years old; and Not be related to a judge of the district court. Education The court may consider as substitute experience for the active practice of law any combination of the following: Experience as a judge of a state court of record or other state judicial officer. Experience as a United States magistrate judge, bankruptcy judge, or other federal judicial officer. Experience as an attorney for federal or state agencies. Experience as a law clerk to any judge or judicial officer, or as a staff attorney, or pro se law clerk in a court (limited to two years). Other legal experience suitable as a substitute in the opinion of the court. Additional information The courts provide fair and impartial justice within the jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution and Congress. Public trust and confidence are enhanced when the judiciary's workforce is highly competent and dedicated to the cause of justice. The judiciary can and should strive to recruit and retain the best and the brightest from all backgrounds and life experiences. The term of the appointment is 8 years. THE DISTRICT COURT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits Review our benefits