U.S. Magistrate Judge Application and Vacancy Information
U.S. Magistrate Judge Application (form fillable)
Notice Regarding Vacancy for U.S. Magistrate Judge
General Order Appointing Merit Selection Panel
Instructions for Submitting Letters in Support
Please answer all the questions. If a question is not applicable indicate by “N/A.” If you cannot fully answer in the space provided, please feel free to submit additional pages. Signature required; /s/ format acceptable. Please submit:
- (1) the application,
- (2) curriculum vitae or resume,
- (3) a legal writing sample such as a brief or memorandum
to HR@rid.uscourts.gov no later than January 31, 2026. Letters in support of applicants are not required but may be submitted following the instructions above.
Merit Selection Panel
(Click Image Above to Play Video - Magistrate Judges: The Merit Selection Process)
General Order Appointing Merit Selection Panel
The Selection, Appointment, and Reappointment of U.S. Magistrate Judges
Employee Benefits
Employees of the United States District Court are not included in the Government’s Civil Service classification but rather are considered “at-will” Excepted Service employees of the Judiciary. A United States Magistrate Judge is appointed to renewable 8-year term.
Employee benefits are dependent on the type of appointment. Full benefits are typically available for full-time or part-time appointments expected to last for at least one year and one day. Limited benefits may be available for temporary full-time or part-time appointments of less than one year and for term law clerk appointments.
Depending on the type of appointment and the expected length of employment, Judiciary benefits may include:
Insurance
- Wide choice of health insurance plans, both PPO and HMO (pre-tax payroll deduction available).
- Dental and vision insurance.
- Group life insurance.
- Flexible spending accounts: health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses (pretax payroll deduction).
- For more information on insurance plans, Click here.
Retirement
- Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
- Optional Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), similar to 401K, with government matching funds when eligible (pre-tax payroll deduction).
Other
- Transit subsidy.
- On-site fitness
- Opportunities for training and career development.
- Work in a diverse and congenial atmosphere.
- The opportunity to serve in a rewarding public service position.
- Telework, alternative work schedules, and other workplace flexibilities.
- Availability of Federal Employee Assistance Program.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
Employment Dispute Resolution Plan
The U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island, has adopted an Employment Dispute Resolution Plan which provides the dispute resolution mechanism for rights and protections enumerated under the Plan to ensure equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual harassment and sexual orientation), national origin, age (at least 40 years of age at the time of the alleged discrimination) or disability.
Questions and Contact
Questions regarding the position or the process may be directed to Frank Perry, Chief Deputy Clerk
Phone: 401-752-7222
Email: Frank_Perry@rid.uscourts.gov
Magistrate judges are judicial officers of the U.S. district court appointed by the district judges of the court to handle a variety of judicial proceedings.
(Click Image Above to Play Video - Magistrate Judges: Integral to the Federal Judiciary)
They have authority to issue warrants, conduct preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, such as initial appearances and arraignments, and hear cases involving petty offenses committed on federal lands. In most districts, magistrate judges handle pretrial motions and hearings in civil and criminal cases. While most civil cases are tried by district judges, magistrate judges may also preside over civil trials if all parties consent.
Like other federal judges, all full-time magistrate judges are paid the same salary, regardless of where they serve or their years of service.
The position and authority of magistrate judges was established in 1968. By federal law, magistrate judges must meet specified eligibility criteria, including at least five years as a member in good standing of a state or territory’s highest court bar. They must also be vetted by a merit selection panel that consists of lawyers and non-lawyers from the community. By majority vote of the U.S. district judges of the court, magistrate judges are appointed for a renewable term of eight years. In addition, there are a small number of part-time magistrate judges who serve four-year terms.
The number and location of magistrate judges is determined by the Judicial Conference of the United States.
Learn more about magistrate judges from the following resources: