Family and Circuit Court Commissioner

Family and Circuit Court Commissioner

Salary

$48.94 - $58.13 Hourly

Location

Eau Claire County Courthouse, 721 Oxford Avenue, Eau Claire, WI

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-00543

Department

Circuit Court

Opening Date

07/17/2026

Closing Date

8/2/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION SUMMARY

This Family and Circuit Court Commissioner performs judicial work exercising the statutory powers and duties of a court commissioner under own authority and on authority delegated by a judge. This position exercises those powers to the extent required for the performance of the inherent duties of the position and those delegated to it by authority of the chief judge of the judicial administrative district or designee.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Applies knowledge of the principles and practices of the judicial system to perform judicial functions for legal matters; adheres to rules of procedure for administration of matters pertaining to adjudication; evaluates allegations and evidence to determine their sufficiency and/or credibility; rules on procedure, admissibility of evidence or testimony, and other issues.
• Adheres to Wisconsin State Statutes, with thorough knowledge of Chapter 767, to perform statutory duties of Family Court Commissioner; conducts hearings; enters orders and judgments in actions to finalize divorces, establish paternity, and establish or enforce a child support obligation; revises orders or judgments for child support performs marriages.
• Performs state-mandated duties of Director of Family Court Counseling Services; coordinates availability of qualified staff to perform required services; supervises, performs, or contracts for legal custody and physical placement studies; evaluates and credentials contract services agencies; ensures funding for counseling services is administered and managed accordingly.
• Practices expertise in evidence review to make reasonable judgments on arrests; performs judicial review of arrests and the charges individuals are held for on weekends (within 48 hours) to determine whether the individual will be let out on bond or held in jail.
• Directs cases to the proper court if the defendant wishes to enter a plea.
• Issues summonses, arrest, or search warrants, which may occur outside of regular business hours; elicits information from others to present findings in a manner consistent with acceptable legal standards; conducts initial appearances of persons arrested; sets bail and schedules subsequent appearances on criminal matters; provides defendants with information regarding charges and right to counsel at initial appearances through effective oral and written communication.
• Conducts initial appearances in traffic and other forfeiture cases, accepts pleas, imposes forfeitures, orders revocation and suspension of operating privileges, and refers cases to court.
• Conducts initial return appearance and conciliation conferences in small claims actions.
• Conducts annual Watts review hearings according to Wisconsin State Statute 55.18, and non-contested probate proceedings.
• Issues warrants and capiases for those who do not appear.
• Orders the release or detention of children apprehended, conducts detention and shelter care hearings, conducts preliminary appearances, and enters into consent decrees.
• Hears petitions for commitment and conducts probable cause hearings for mental commitments and protective placements of persons alleged to be mentally ill.
• Conducts initial truancy court hearings.
• Performs other related duties as directed and assigned.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Five (5) years of experience in law practice.
• Admission to the Wisconsin State Bar.
• Must possess and maintain licensure to practice law in the State of Wisconsin as a condition of employment.
• Appointment will be conditional upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

DESIRED TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as a Family Court Commissioner, Circuit Court Commissioner, or Judge preferred.

Eau Claire County is not only a great place to work, but has many exciting benefits!

Paid Time Off (PTO): Accrual is based on years of service with the County, starting at 6.4 hours accruing each pay period (20.8 days per year), with the maximum accrual rate of 35.75 days per year.

• Manager PTO accrual available upon request*

Holidays: Eleven paid holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a Spring Holiday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day and New Years Eve Day.

Retirement: The County provides a retirement account in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Employees pay one-half of the actuarially required contributions.

For further benefit information please click on the link: Employee Benefits

Eau Claire County provides leave under the Family Medical Leave Act: Family and Medical Leave Act | U.S. Department of Labor

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: This information gives only a brief summary of the plans in effect for regular, full-time Non-Represented employees of Eau Claire County and may not be all-inclusive. Eau Claire Countys policies and County Code govern if there are differences between this information and the policies.

01

Have you graduated from an accredited law school?

• YES
• NO

02

Do you have five (5) years of experience in law practice?

• YES
• NO

03

Are you currently admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar?

• YES
• NO

04

Do you possess and maintain licensure to practice law in the State of Wisconsin as a condition of employment?

• YES
• NO

Required Question

Employer Eau Claire County

Address Suite 3414

721 Oxford Avenue

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 54703

Phone 715-839-4710

Website https://eauclairecounty.gov/