Bailiff (Non-Certified / Certified) - 28th District Court - 0144 - 33100

Certified Bailiff

Assists the judge in administering courtroom procedure, provides information upon request about scheduled court proceedings and maintains order and safety within the courtroom. The employee is required to be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the Department Head.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned :

• Supplies copies of jury lists and other resources to judge.
• Instructs spectators, prospective jurors and jurors regarding their conduct in the courtroom.
• Ushers in and out witnesses and jury.
• Monitors witnesses and jury's interaction.
• Calls cases to be tried and witnesses to the stand.
• Escorts jurors to and from jury box and ensures that all parties and counsels involved in a case are present before the proceedings begin.
• Escorts persons found in contempt of court from the courtroom and holds them in custody until picked up by a deputy sheriff.
• Completes and reviews various court-related forms, assuring that the documents are complete, i.e., dates filled in, all necessary signatures obtained in appropriate places, etc.
• Assists the judge in maintaining order in the courtroom.
• May transport prisoners to and from courtroom.
• Assures that the courtroom is open and prepared for court sessions. Also secures the courtroom at lunch time or end of day.
• May conduct docket calls and calls for defendants.
• May conduct appropriate follow-up activities with defendants, including taking fingerprints, making copies of invoices, agreements and judgments and escorting defendants to jail.
• May perform security watch of prisoner(s) within the courtroom.
• Provides jurors with certification of service.
• Attends to needs of jurors during deliberations.
• Meets with other bailiffs periodically regarding courthouse safety and security.

Qualifications : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations : Must have a current driver's license. Must have Court Security Officer Course #10999 certificate or obtain it within 1 (one) year of employment. A Certified Bailiff is required to possess, and to maintain, certification and licensure as a "Basic Peace Officer" according to the current standards of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Keeping the certification current calls for a specified amount of continuing education courses each year and association with a recognized law enforcement agency. Failure to maintain an active Peace Officer license will result in an incumbent's reclassification.

Education and / or Experience : High school diploma or general education degree (GED); at least 21 years of age, with at least two years of experience in a courtroom, a court clerk's office, a law office, or a law enforcement agency. Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities, may be considered for current Nueces County employees only.

Language Skills : Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills : Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability : Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other Skills and Abilities : Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions, rules, regulations and laws. Thorough knowledge of courtroom procedure and activities. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with persons of widely divergent backgrounds and to maintain order in difficult situations. Ability to communicate effectively. Spanish speaking may be desirable. Computer literacy is highly desirable.

Physical Demands : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.