BAILIFF

STARTING PAY: $20.00-24.00/hr

Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Presiding Judge and Associate Judges, this position is responsible for maintaining security for judges, staff, jurors and members of the public in the court building, maintaining order in all court proceedings and assisting in the completion of various court procedures.  Working conditions are primarily in an inside environment. Work includes exposure to dangerous persons, bodily fluids and noise.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Regular, dependable; and punctual attendance is a fundamental requirement for this role.
  • Open the Municipal Court building at the beginning of each day.  Secure the Municipal Court building at the end of each day.
  • Ensures courtrooms are stocked with necessary supplies and that all equipment including sound, recording, call, security and audio visual are operating properly.
  • Maintains a presence in the courtroom during all open court hearings, safeguards the security, integrity and efficiency of the Municipal Court.
  • Acts as a liaison between the court and jurors; assures the safety and security of the jurors.
  • May serve on the Court Security Committee.
  • Assess security and operational protocols, providing recommendations to the Municipal Judge. 
  • Provides relevant information and security for judges, court employees, jurors and citizens who attend the court, including making security sweeps before and after each court session.
  • Maintains order for court hearings and deals with difficult persons or situations in the public areas, courtrooms, office areas and judges’ chambers.
  • Assists clerk’s office and judges to prepare the courtroom for court sessions, validate paperwork and handle records and documents in court during arraignments, dockets and trials.
  • Answers questions and provides customer service for the public.
  • Writes documents including incident reports and office memoranda.
  • Prepares for emergencies by reviewing all emergency and escapes plans and knowing the correct procedures in the event of fire alarms, storms, tornadoes, and active shooter situations.
  • Provides CPR and other assistance to individuals experiencing health issues such as seizures, heart attacks, and the like, until emergency medical crews arrive.
  • Verifies jail credit, corresponds with incarcerated defendants, and forwards jail credit information to the court.
  • Verifies insurance presented by defendants by telephoning insurance companies to verify coverage.
  • Assists in serving warrants.
  • Monitors defendants in holding area awaiting arraignment.
  • Completes proper paperwork for booking prisoners into jail upon court orders.
  • Escorts defendants to the docket clerk, collections clerk, cashiers, community service department and warrant office.
  • Works assigned queues to verify driver’s license, insurance, and time-served credit.
  • Acts as Spanish translator (if able) in every department as needed.
  • Contacts individuals by telephone regarding outstanding warrants and issuance of new warrants.
  • Assists court collections in follow-up contacts and at other times when needed in collecting fines or issuing and executing warrants.
  • Coordinates security procedures with APD warrant officer assigned to the court.
  • Reports safety and security building issues to the appropriate city department
  • Attends trainings specific to legislative changes affecting municipal courts.
  • Exercises appropriate discretion and uses good judgment in performance of duties.
  • Reviews National Crime Information Center, Texas Crime Information Center, Texas Department of Public Safety (NCIC/TCIC/DPS) databases for criminal histories, warrant and driving records.
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• • High School Diploma or GED equivalent (recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency)
  • Two years law enforcement or security background or one year courtroom bailiff experience.  Applicants claiming military service to meet the experience requirement for this position may attach a DD214 to the application. 
  • Texas Commission on Law Enforcement certification, court security specialist within the first year of employment
  • Firearms training, customer service training, and defensive tactical training preferred.  
  • Must be a citizen in good standing.
  • Applicants for this position must pass a criminal justice information systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.  Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in disqualification for this position:  Any felony conviction; Class A misdemeanor convictions; felony or Class A or B misdemeanor deferred adjudication, an open arrest for any criminal offense and family violence convictions. 
  • Obtain TCIC/NCIC certification within one (1) year of employment and re-certified yearly.
  • Must maintain Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System Access (TLETS) eligibility for continued employment in position. (TLETS provides access to TCIC and NCIC)
  • Work may require travel, including overnight stays, involving training.
  • Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
  • Valid Texas Driver’s License required.
  • Valid Texas handgun license required.   
  • KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • Ability to deal effectively with the public under adverse conditions providing courteous customer service.
  • Ability to build effective working relationships.
  • Skilled in de-escalating hostile situations.
    • Ability to deal with prisoners and people who are ordered into custody by the court.
    • Ability to safely use a handgun as well as a Taser, other non-lethal weapons, and handcuffs.
    • Ability to restrain persons who become violent.
  • Ability to control many people in possibly explosive situations.
  • Ability to operate and troubleshoot audio/video equipment in courtrooms.
  • Skill in utilizing a personal computer and associated software programs.
  • Skilled in maintaining sensitive and confidential information.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
  • Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position, with or without accommodation.
  • ADA PROFILE

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force to move objects.  The employee must also be able to walk, run, stand, hear, speak, see, talk, grasp, handle, push, pull, reach, balance, feel, finger, and crouch. Also requires the ability to make rational decisions and perform repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee works in an environment where he or she is faced with daily decisions that could result in bodily harm to themselves or co-workers.  The employee may also face a variety of hazards in the job, including biological hazards from contact with bodily fluids or persons who are ill with various diseases, and contact with objects or weapons found during searches of possessions carried by persons who come into the court.  The length of court proceedings can be unpredictable, and the employee must be able to work through lunch or stay late with no advance notice. 

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.