Municipal Court Judge - Administrative Judge

As a condition of employment all employees must pass a post offer criminal history background check, physical examination and drug screen. All employees must also submit proof of identity and employment eligibility.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas was formed on October 1, 1997 based on a citizen vote to consolidate the operations of the City of Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County, Kansas.

Pursuant to consolidation, the existing governments of the City and the County were replaced by a governing body composed of a Mayor/Chief Executive and a ten-member Board of Commissioners. Each of eight districts nominates and elects one commissioner. Two at-large commissioners are nominated from two county-wide districts comprised of the four northern-most and four southern-most districts. The Mayor/Chief Executive has veto power, which can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Commissioners. Elections are held in odd-numbered years with staggered terms of four years. The County Administrator is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor/Chief Executive and the Commission.

The Unified Government has 2,300 approved staff positions and a 2026 budget of $509 million. The City/County combined mill rate is 71.923. The median household annual income in Wyandotte County is $63,631, and the average owner-occupied home value is $222,696.

Job Summary

In addition to hearing municipal court cases the administrative judge shall be responsible for the daily operation and administration of the court. This specifically includes supervision and control of employees in the municipal court clerk's office, except for the power to hire and fire said employees, which shall remain with the county administrator. The administrative judge, with the assistance of the chief counsel, shall prescribe and adopt rules of practice and procedure for the municipal court not inconsistent with the Unified Government’s Code of Ordinances or the laws of this state. In addition, the administrative judge shall schedule the dockets for the trial and disposition of matters before the court. The administrative judge shall supervise all judges and annually report the hours worked by each judge to the Unified Government Board of Commissioners.

The administrative judge is appointed by the Unified Government Board of Commissioners and serves for a term of four years.  The term will begin on date of appointment and expires on September 30, 2030. When the term of office expires, upon the affirmative recommendation of the Mayor, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners may reappoint the administrative judge to another four year term.

Qualifications

Any person who is selected as Municipal Court Judge shall:

• Be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Wyandotte County for the duration of the term of office.
• Have been regularly admitted to practice law in the state of Kansas.
• Have engaged, for a period of no fewer than five years, in the active practice of law as a lawyer, or have been judge of a court record of any court in the state of Kansas, or have been a fulltime teacher of law in any accredited law school, or any combination thereof.
• As a fulltime judge, not practice law during the term of office as required by the Rules of Judicial Conduct.
• Possess high personal, moral and professional integrity befitting the position of municipal court judge.
• Educational and professional experience in administrative matters.
• Demonstrated skills in working with employees, and other groups participating in the municipal court.
• Leadership qualities necessary to enhance the public image and professional stature of the municipal court.

Benefits

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance; Deferred Compensation – Mission Square (optional) and KPERS; 12 paid Holidays per year.

Salary

$150,289.36/yr.

How To Apply

Please apply at www.wycokck.org/careers. Evidence of registration as an attorney with the Kansas Supreme Court must be provided at the time of application. Application and resume must be submitted no later than October 23, 2026.

$72.25/hr.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values an inclusive workforce.

If you need to reach a member of the Human Resources staff, please call (913) 573-5660 or email jobs@wycokck.org.

Company: Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS