Bailiff

About the Department

The purpose of this classification is to provide court safety/security and to coordinate court activities. This position will require APOSTC Certification at all times and will include annual continuing education credits and firearms qualification.  While some aspects of essential functions will require the assistance of sworn police officers, this position will serve as the primary security and safety of the courtroom as well as inmate transports and paperwork distribution.

Position Duties

The following duties are normal for this classification.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.   Other duties may be required and assigned.  Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Provides court security; attends courtroom proceedings and maintains a security presence to ensure safety of court personnel, responds to disturbances during court proceedings and prevents potential violence or use of weapons; maintains continuous surveillance of courtroom and enforces courtroom policies; responds to violence, erratic behavior, alarms, or other unusual situations.

Secures court building and locks all entrances/exits at end of each day.

Monitors courtroom visitors to ensure weapons are not brought into courthouse; utilizes electronic detection equipment or other means to detect weapons; confiscates any weapons brought into court building.

Meets minimum requirements for written examinations, firearms qualifications, and driving skills.

Maintains current department policy and procedures manual, city and state code manuals, employee handbooks, various maps and related material for reference and/or review. 

Maintains assigned equipment, specifically: motor vehicles, first aid supplies, and equipment used in the performance of duties; follows safety procedures, requests service and/or repairs, ensures cleanliness and optimal operation of equipment.

Organizes and prioritizes daily work assignments; attends shift meetings. 

Completes/prepares forms, logs, requests, records, reports, correspondence, and documents associated with daily responsibilities of the position; researches and locates records; maintains administrative records and files.

Responds to questions, complaints, and requests for information by telephone or in person from the general public, employees, superiors, and individuals if appropriate. 

Exchanges information with dispatchers, attorneys, court personnel, medical professionals, and other departments and agencies. 

Serves summonses, court subpoenas, and bond forfeiture proceedings.

Completes documents necessary for initial appearance of prisoners by a judge; assists inmates with paperwork and next steps for court actions.

Maintains accurate pre-trial and post-trial listing of all prisoners; communicates with police officers regarding changes or corrections.

Processes release and/or confinement forms for disposition of defendants as ordered by court; forwards documentation to jail.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, release/confinement forms, court reports, prisoner destination reports, post-trial reports, post-trial change reports, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, jail lists, post-trial lists, release/confinement reports, policies, standard operating procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, court system, or other computer programs.

Provides information and assistance to the public in person and by telephone; responds to routine questions/complaints and initiates problem resolution.

Communicates with Judge, magistrates, supervisor, employees, other departments, law enforcement personnel, defendants, prisoners, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws, policies, and procedures; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Organizes and conducts transports of incarcerated defendants; this could require the assistance of police officers in some circumstances.

Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.

Attends meetings, seminars, and training sessions to remain knowledgeable of City and departmental operations and to promote improved job performance and job safety.

Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the department.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, in a timely manner.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; supplemented by vocational/technical training in law enforcement, court security, or general security work; supplemented by one (1) year previous experience and/or training involving law enforcement or courtroom security; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.  Must be willing to obtain and maintain chemical aerosol (pepper) spray certification.     Must be eligible to be licensed to carry firearms.  Musto possess current A.P.O.S.T.C. certification and maintain certification throughout employment. This job classification is considered to be safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screens.

Other Qualifications

The following requirements are normal for this classification.  Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment and tools, such as a computer, printer, fax machine, calculator, telephone, and law enforcement equipment such as handcuffs, flashlight, pepper gas, firearms, baton, tape measure, hand tolls, tow-way radio, and motor vehicle. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for very heavy work. Tasks require the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds).

DATA COMPREHENSION: Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things that may include maps, various directories and reports, calendar, training bulletins, manuals, and legal code books.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal others to convey or exchange law enforcement, radio communication, medical and court related information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with court personnel, attorneys, various agencies, elected officials, and the general public.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires the ability to read a variety of informational and court-related documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.  Requires the ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex law enforcement, radio communication, medical and court related principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. 

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, add and subtract totals, multiply and divide, and determine time and weight.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment which may include detection devices, radar, tape measure, and other standard measuring and recording devices.

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment, radio communication, and law enforcement equipment and to operate motor vehicles.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment including computer, printer typewriter, calculator, copy and facsimile machines, telephone, and law enforcement equipment such as handcuffs, flashlight, pepper gas, firearms, baton, tape measure, and tools, two-way radio, motor vehicle, control knobs, switches, etc.   Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.  Must have above average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DISCRIMINATION: Requires the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions.   Must be able to adapt and perform under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk, express or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.