Bailiff

County of St. Clair•St. Clair County Courthouse, MI

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Bailiff is an armed, uniformed position responsible primarily for court security. The role protects Judges, controls inmates, provides physical security for county court buildings, oversees courtroom activities, maintains order, and safeguards the public, Judges, attorneys, employees, and prisoners. The Bailiff works at the Port Huron and Marine City locations and may make arrests on Bench Warrants or at a Judge’s direction. The position requires sound judgment and discretion in potentially violent or complex situations, including those involving extreme anger or mental illness. The Bailiff screens people and their possessions entering the courthouse, maintains knowledge of weapon-screening equipment, enforces courtroom rules, responds to emergencies and security incidents, and documents incidents for the Court Security Coordinator. The position also supports court sessions, maintains custody and records for jurors and prisoners, executes warrants, coordinates prisoner transfers, and may assist with transport or corrections duties. Work takes place in a courtroom environment during normal office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with moderate noise, frequent interruptions, and risk in the event of a security breach. Personal protective equipment, including gloves and hand sanitizer, is required for some tasks.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or GED is required.
One to three years of work experience in a relevant professional law-enforcement or security capacity, or in a branch of the military, is required.
Knowledge of operating X-ray and metal-detection equipment.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook; proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook is required and may be tested.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in accordance with policies and procedures.
Ability to research and solve problems independently, prioritize and manage time, handle stressful situations, provide effective and friendly customer service, and think critically.
Ability to perform basic administrative tasks, operate standard office equipment, manage documents and records, prepare correspondence and reports, answer inquiries and telephone calls, process mail, order supplies and equipment, prepare meeting agendas, record or transcribe and distribute minutes, maintain calendars, and arrange meetings and rooms.
Ability to communicate effectively with management, coworkers, and clients; obtain and convey accurate information; understand complex instructions; and communicate complex ideas through professional correspondence, reports, charts, graphs, or presentations.
Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance; read, write, and communicate in English; follow written and verbal instructions; and understand basic mathematics and figure checking.
Ability to interpret and apply procedures, rules, technical information, instructions, and manuals accurately and on schedule; learn from directions, observations, and mistakes; use discretion; and maintain confidential information.
Ability to work independently or as part of a team, interact appropriately with officials, employees, vendors, and the public, and work under supervision and feedback.
Ability to adapt to workplace changes, competing demands, delays, and unexpected events; knowledge of customer-service principles and processes.
Satisfactory pre-employment background screening is required, including applicable drug, physical, criminal-background, driving-record, registry, education, training, licensing, employment-history, credit, and reference checks.
Possess a valid, unrestricted State of Michigan Operator’s License and maintain driving eligibility under the County vehicle policy throughout employment.
Be familiar with firearms and hold a Concealed Pistol License (CPL), or be able to obtain one before hire, and maintain it throughout employment.
Qualify with any weapon carried as required; maintain firearm proficiency and pass the MCOLES pistol course twice a year.
Meet the physical requirements of the job, including the fitness to apprehend and exert the force necessary to subdue and control individuals requiring physical intervention; lift, move, and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds.
Use required personal protective equipment, including gloves and hand sanitizer.

Nice To Haves

An Associate’s degree with a major in Criminal Justice or a closely related field is preferred.
Experience in a court environment is preferred.
Certified police officer status with prior law-enforcement experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Screen people and their possessions upon entry to the courthouse and confiscate prohibited or dangerous items.
Maintain current knowledge of court equipment used in the weapon-screening program.
Use law-enforcement observation skills to identify and defuse potentially dangerous situations.
Enforce courtroom rules and maintain order, using verbal commands and physical force as needed to restrain disruptive prisoners or members of the public.
Respond immediately to assaults, disturbances, security threats, and other emergencies; responses may include use of a Taser or deadly force.
Provide assistance during building emergencies, including medical incidents, physical altercations, and bomb threats.
Document incidents in writing and submit reports to the Court Security Coordinator.
Assist law-enforcement officers and court officials with emergencies, including evacuations, lockdowns, and searches, in accordance with established procedures.
Maintain care, custody, and control of jurors and submit juror attendance records as needed.
Prepare for court sessions, prepare and post daily court schedules, and call court to order.
Arrest individuals with outstanding Bench Warrants or who are remanded to jail by a Judge; search them, prepare paperwork, and secure them for transfer to the Transport Deputy.
Maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings and assist Transport deputies and MDOC officers in securing prisoners.
Act as a Transport Deputy or Corrections Deputy and provide prisoner security when a deputy is absent, as needed.
Move prisoners between lock-up and courtrooms and escort prisoners between courtrooms when needed.
Execute warrants and produce warranted individuals before the court at a Judge’s direction.
Monitor prisoner behavior to protect employees, defendants, and the public.
Communicate electronically with jail personnel to receive transfer sheets and prisoner information.
Assist Transport deputies in conveying prisoners to and from the court building.
Assist Friend of the Court, District Court Probation, and Circuit Court Probation with Bench Warrants and drug tests, and take defendants into custody when appropriate.
Maintain issued equipment and prepare written work-related records and reports.
Perform other duties as assigned.