COURT SECURITY OFFICER / EH

Thurston County • Olympia, WA

7d • $24 • Onsite

About The Position

Thurston County is recruiting to fill three (3) on-call Court Security Officers. "On-call" Officers help to fill in for regular staff absences and provide security screening based on court security needs and requirements. Under the general direction of Superior Court, Court Security Officers provide the day-to-day protection and security of the Thurston County Courts and respective facilities by maintaining order and ensuring the personal safety and security of judges, staff, and the general public. Court Security Officers operate and maintain the security screening stations in court facilities, monitor and respond to courtroom and court facilities emergency alarms, respond to calls for security services and assistance, and perform a variety of technical duties for court security processes.
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Secures weapons prior to persons entering the courthouse and ensures weapons are safely secured in lockers.
Confiscates and seizing unauthorized weapons and processing them for criminal charges and/or destruction.
Maintains accurate daily records of number of visitors entering the courthouse.
Operates walk-through magnetometer, handheld wand metal weapon detector or other related types of screening devices to check visitors entering the courthouse for weapons and other prohibited articles. Conducts hand searches of personally carried items to inspect for potentially dangerous objects.
Continuously monitors, via closed circuit cameras, courtrooms and facilities for adverse situations. Intervenes to prevent escalation of problems. May be required to use restraint or force, up to and including deadly force as deemed reasonable and necessary. Makes arrests if required and prepares incident and arrest reports.
May be required to control and limit public access to the court facilities to reduce security risk and ensure public safety.
Responds to alarms, bomb threats, and safety concerns and assists with building evacuation. Provide escort duties for individuals in a threatened or endangered situation. Implements first aid procedures as necessary.
When required, calls for assistance from local law enforcement and/or emergency response units. Utilizes pagers, telephones, and portable radios to maintain communications with other security personnel and/or other agencies responding to calls for assistance. Provides aid to responding agencies as requested.
Provides general information, direction, and assistance to the public.
May be asked to monitor courtroom proceedings.
Note: On-Call positions should be available to report for assignment on short notice. Extra help positions typically work fewer than 20 hours per week, but may be required to work over 40 hours in a workweek. Extra help positions are not guaranteed a minimum number of hours or a regular schedule and are limited to working fewer than 1039 hours in a twelve-month period.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two year’s law enforcement or corrections experience.
• Graduate from a Washington State Basic or Reserve Law Enforcement Academy, Correctional Academy, or equivalent training from a certified law enforcement program; or federal law enforcement experience (e.g. Military Police) or certified as a federal law enforcement officer (e.g. FBI, DEA).
• Qualified law enforcement or correctional experience that includes a firearms program with a use of force component can be considered if it meets Washington State Criminal Justice Commission Training requirements.
• Must be able to obtain a Special Commission from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office at time of hire.
• Officers are required to provide their own weapon, which meets Thurston County Sheriff’s Office standards.
• Must be able to qualify in the use of a short firearm, with requirement to successfully re-qualify with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office annually.
• Must be able to pass a background investigation which may include, but is not limited to employment history, criminal history, psychological, and /or polygraph examinations.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
• Upon hire must maintain a valid First Aid Card, including CPR with a certification in the use of the Life Pak Emergency Defibrillator.

Nice To Haves

• Basic knowledge of Washington State Court procedures and functions.
• Specialized training and experience with security screening equipment: X-Ray Machines, Magnetometers, Hand-Held Metal Detectors.
• Experience with basic computer operating systems: Microsoft Office: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook and Access.
• Experience in creating training programs and writing workplace policies.
• Experience supervising, leading, evaluating, motivating, training, and mentoring employees.

Responsibilities

• Secures weapons prior to persons entering the courthouse and ensures weapons are safely secured in lockers.
• Confiscates and seizing unauthorized weapons and processing them for criminal charges and/or destruction.
• Maintains accurate daily records of number of visitors entering the courthouse.
• Operates walk-through magnetometer, handheld wand metal weapon detector or other related types of screening devices to check visitors entering the courthouse for weapons and other prohibited articles. Conducts hand searches of personally carried items to inspect for potentially dangerous objects.
• Continuously monitors, via closed circuit cameras, courtrooms and facilities for adverse situations. Intervenes to prevent escalation of problems. May be required to use restraint or force, up to and including deadly force as deemed reasonable and necessary. Makes arrests if required and prepares incident and arrest reports.
• May be required to control and limit public access to the court facilities to reduce security risk and ensure public safety.
• Responds to alarms, bomb threats, and safety concerns and assists with building evacuation. Provide escort duties for individuals in a threatened or endangered situation. Implements first aid procedures as necessary.
• When required, calls for assistance from local law enforcement and/or emergency response units. Utilizes pagers, telephones, and portable radios to maintain communications with other security personnel and/or other agencies responding to calls for assistance. Provides aid to responding agencies as requested.
• Provides general information, direction, and assistance to the public.
• May be asked to monitor courtroom proceedings.

Benefits

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED