Security Officer Bailiff

ABOUT FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT

The Franklin County Municipal Court is the largest and busiest municipal court in the State of Ohio. The Court has fourteen judges in the General Division and one judge in the Environmental Division. Judges preside over civil, criminal, and traffic cases and conduct both jury and court trials. The Courts jurisdiction includes traffic cases, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil cases where the amount at issue is $15,000 or less. The Environmental Division has exclusive jurisdiction to enforce local codes and regulations affecting real property, such as fire and building codes. The geographic jurisdiction of the Court is all of Franklin County and those portions of the City of Columbus that extend beyond the boundaries of Franklin County. Despite its jurisdiction and name, the Franklin County Municipal Court is the judicial branch of the City of Columbus government.

JOB PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW

Full-Time, M-F, 3:30 p.m. 12:00 a.m., or as assigned with shift differential

The Franklin County Municipal Court operates a Court Security Program to maintain a safe environment for judges, employees, and all others having business in the courthouse. The Security Department currently consists of a Director of Security, Security Supervisors, an Administrative Assistant, Control Room Supervisors, and 21 security officer bailiffs on the day shift, plus a control room operator on the second and third shifts. The Court contracts with a private security company to provide the Municipal Court with additional support during evenings and weekends.

Court Security Officer Bailiffs are responsible for all security aspects of a courthouse, including ensuring that the judges and judicial staff, court employees, and general public visiting the courthouse are safe. Officers also ensure that no weapons are brought into the courthouse and that the staff and public comply with the Courts Security and Emergency Response Procedures. Other job duties include watching entrances and exits, working at screening stations, and roaming the courthouse hallways to check for suspicious activity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

• The following duties are normal for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.
• Screen vendors, visitors, employees, and packages entering the Court facility using x-ray equipment, closed-circuit television surveillance systems, and other access-control devices and procedures
• Investigate any suspicious persons or activity and take any action that may be necessary, including assisting in the apprehension and detention of individuals if necessary
• Monitor cameras on closed-circuit system; monitor and respond to radio traffic on multiple channels, address fire alarms, panic alarms, and elevator emergency calls
• Investigate, prepare, review, record, and log security incident reports and disseminate to the appropriate staff
• Proficiency in report writing. Prepare reports of accidents and security incidents
• Proficiently demonstrate the ability to follow operating procedures in dealing with all aspects of security-related issues
• Once screened, escort all deliveries throughout the Municipal Court Building
• Maintain and be responsible for court-issued equipment (Manuals, radio, extra battery for radio, badges, ID, etc.).
• Comprehensive working knowledge of the rules of conduct and procedures in the Securities Directives Manual
• Conduct security patrols with the purpose of securing and locking doors and monitoring activities on the courtroom floors, with an emphasis on the hallways and restroom areas
• Comprehensive working knowledge of the use and operation of the X-ray equipment, metal detectors, and hand-wanding units
• Respond to and act as a liaison to the general public and safety personnel during emergencies
• Provide security and, if requested, escort service to and from the adjoining parking facility for judges, jurors, and courthouse employees
• Conduct investigations as directed
• Undergo continuous training to improve job skills
• Treat all visitors in a professional, courteous manner
• Maintain a clean, professional appearance and wear any required uniform or clothing
• Perform other tasks as assigned, and may be assigned to other positions in other departments of the Court if needed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Knowledge of common office practices, procedures, and equipment
• Ability to operate a personal computer and use Microsoft Office products such as Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Ability to effectively and professionally communicate verbally and in writing to diverse audiences
• Ability to apply principles to solve practical everyday problems
• Pleasant personality and ability to interact and maintain effective working relationships with judges, employees, and others conducting business with the Court
• Conscious of and sensitive to the diversity within the Courts jurisdiction and able to interact professionally with this diverse population of people from many different geographic, socioeconomic, religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds on a regular basis
• Professional appearance and demeanor appropriate for the position and the work environment expected of a representative of the Court
• Demonstrated dependability, reliability, and excellent attendance record
• Patience, objectivity, maturity, sound judgment, effectiveness under stress, initiative, and adaptability

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a peace officers training program through an accredited school, law enforcement academy, or government agency, and documentation of current certification.
• Additional consideration will be given to individuals who have any of the following qualifications: an associates degree or other advanced schooling; previous experience as a police or security officer; an understanding of basic legal terminology and procedures; the ability to speak and write Spanish or a language commonly used by people of Somalia for whom English is a second language; or proficiency in American Sign Language.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• This position requires significant interaction with the public and accused and convicted criminal offenders.

COURT EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEES

In completing the position's duties and responsibilities, the Court expects the employee to adhere to all Court policies, guidelines, practices, and procedures; act as a role model both inside and outside the Court; perform duties as workload necessitates in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner; be conscientious about meeting department productivity standards; and communicate regularly with the supervisor about department issues.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The Court's employees are at-will and serve at the Court's pleasure; they are not in the classified civil service system and are not members of bargaining units.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, religion, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, military status, or genetic information.