Court Officer – Appeals Court

Title: Court Officer - Appeals Court

Starting Pay: $50,798.75

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS APPEALS COURT

The Appeals Court is committed to doing justice under the law by rendering thoughtful, well reasoned appellate decisions in a timely and efficient manner, treating all those who come before the court fairly and impartially.

DEPARTMENTAL MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Massachusetts Appeals Court Security Department is to provide safety and security for all those who work in the Appeals Court and for those who seek to conduct court business within its facilities. The Appeals Court Security Department seeks to ensure a safe and secure environment while maintaining professionalism, order, and decorum. Using a comprehensive training regimen, coupled with the implementation of state-of-the-art security system technologies, the department strives to ensure public safety, access to justice, and the highest customer service. The Appeals Court Security Department is committed to employing a high-quality workforce to meet the diverse needs of those who utilize the court.

Notes: POSITION IS AVAILABLE FOR COURT OFFICERS OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH (Supreme Judicial Court and Trial Court) ONLY.

This posting will remain open until filled

Position Summary: Appeals Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order in and around court premises, protecting judges, attorneys, detainees, court personnel, and all those who utilize Appeals Court buildings and facilities. A Court Officer provides a visual security presence at court entrances/security screening stations and throughout the building and may be asked to screen persons who wish to enter court buildings for weapons and other items of contraband.

Court Officers may be asked to operate metal detectors and x-ray machines to perform the screening functions; monitor CCTV cameras to ensure safety of the public, court employees and detainees; protect and safeguard courtrooms, grounds, buildings, employees, the public, and visitors on the courthouse premises.

In the Appeals Court (if applicable) Court Officers are responsible for the care and control of any persons detained until the arresting authorities arrive. The Court Officer enforces all appropriate judicial orders and enforces all laws and ordinances as appropriate. Court Officers are members of an integrated statewide security team. Court Officer work with fellow Court.

Officers, Associate Court Officers, and the Security Department management team, including the Chief Court Officer and Court Officers of the Supreme Judicial Court, state police, and contracted security to identify and address all security concerns, including promptly dealing with disturbances, exercising arrest powers if warranted, responding to and managing medical emergencies, producing reports, and maintaining logs and records to ensure the safety and security of all Appeals Court facilities.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS:

This position is part of a series that includes a number of levels. Employees are appointed to the entry level and are eligible to advance through reclassification to the higher levels consistent with this job description and Appeals Court policies.

Court Officer . This is the entry level position title within this series. Employees at this level are expected to perform a variety of duties which include fulfilling all first level responsibilities, expectations, and learning the best practices of a Security Department Court Officer.

Court Officer II This is the second level position title within this series. Employees at this second level are expected to proficiently perform more complex duties within the range of Court Officer responsibilities as required.

Court Officer III - This is the third level position title within this series. Employees at this third level are expected to perform advanced Court Officer duties with limited supervision and to be able to perform those functions within the other major work units. They are also expected to perform security related administrative duties as needed.

Supervision Received:

In the Appeals Court, Court Officers receive on-site supervision primarily from the Chief Court Officer.

Duties: Court Officer Duties :

Protects and safeguards court buildings, grounds, courthouse staff, and courthouse visitors.

Provides a visual security presence at court entrances/security screening stations, and throughout the building.

Patrols assigned areas, making periodic rounds and security checks of court buildings and grounds.

Prepares and submits reports on the occurrence of fires, disturbances, courtroom incidents, and accidents.

Takes steps to effectively control emergency situations by summonsing assistance, taking appropriate action in disruptive situations, managing traffic in the courthouse, and participating in searches of the court premises.

Assists in building evacuations, re-entry procedures, and crowd control as appropriate Exercises arrest powers if warranted.

Maintains security logs and performs equipment checks as directed Responds to medical emergencies and renders aid when necessary.

Monitors CCTV cameras to ensure safety of the public, court employees, and detainees Attends all court officer training programs required by the Appeals Court and must successfully pass all training requirements.

Complies with all Appeals Court policies, Security Department policies and procedures, and all state and federal laws.

Demonstrates an understanding of the Court Officer Policies and Procedures Manual and other Massachusetts Appeals Court Personnel Policies and Procedures

Performs related duties as required and may be designated by the Court Administrator or his/her/their designee to participate in higher level court officer duties as necessary; these duties include, but are not limited to, courtroom security, maintaining the care, custody, and control of detainees.

Facilitate the opening, sorting, delivery, and scanning of mail, when necessary, to the various offices and departments of the Appeals Court

When necessary, carry required recording and sound equipment to external Court sittings and events.

When necessary, provides security and other related assistance at off-site Appeals Court conferences and events.

In order to maintain proper chain of custody and security of case-related exhibits, court officers may be charged with the transport of exhibits to and from various courthouses at the direction of the Clerk or his/her/their designee.

When not assigned to various security stations or sessions, court officers may be tasked with certain administrative functions including, but not limited to, delivery of library materials and supplies and making bank runs and other related duties as assigned by the Chief Court Officer, Court Administrator, or his/her/their designee.

Court Officer duties II:

Coordinates security for any detainees, witnesses, court personnel, and the public in the courtroom and other areas of the courthouse including the following requirements:

Taking appropriate action in disruptive situations in the courtroom, public areas, holding areas (if applicable), and other designated areas including for assaultive behavior where persons may be harmed or otherwise posing a danger.

Subduing and/or apprehending escaping detainees; and providing first response in other emergency situations.

Exercising police powers when appropriate.

Identifies security concerns and work with his/her/their supervisor to address and resolve these concerns.

Ensures that judges' instructions and other Court guidelines regarding weapons, noise, food, smoking, photography, cell phones, and note taking are adhered to

Provides a visual security presence in courtrooms, public and employee areas, throughout the building and court premises.

Inspects courtrooms, lobbies, and public areas for explosive devices and other contraband Assists in building evacuations, re-entry procedures, and crowd control as appropriate Monitors CCTV cameras to ensure safety of the public, court employees, and (if applicable) detainees

Demonstrates an understanding of the Court Officer Policies and Procedures Manual and other Massachusetts Appeals Court Personnel Policies and Procedures

Complies with all Appeals Court Personnel Policies, Security Department Policies and Procedures, and all state and federal laws.

May be assigned by the Court Administrator or his/her/their designee to perform Court Officer duties throughout the various facilities when the Court conducts away sittings.

Performs all related duties of this level and of the Court Officer I level as required.

Court Officer III duties:

Protects the privacy and ensures the personal safety of judges and court personnel Accepts detainees/parties into custody and delivers them to the Suffolk high-rise lockup pursuant to the direction of the court or the Chief Court Officer.

Provides court approved information regarding court procedures to the public, litigants, and family members.

Locates Appeals Court participants, informs participants of the court's action, transports papers within the courthouse, notifies the judge that the session is ready to proceed, announces the opening and closing of court sessions.

Exercises arrest powers if warranted, responds to, and manages disturbances and medical emergencies, produces reports, maintains logs and records to ensure the safety and security of all Massachusetts Court facilities.

Maintains security logs and performs equipment checks as directed.

May perform temporary supervisory responsibilities in the absence of a Chief Court Officer or Assistant Chief Court Officer at the direction of the Court Administrator or his/her/their designee.

Performs all related duties of this level and of the Court Officer I and II as required.

Job Competencies:

All applicants must be able, throughout the interview process, to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following areas:

Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Security Department and the Appeals Court

Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the Appeals Court and m1ss10ns

Applied Knowledge Understands basic court operations, knowledge of the various court departments and divisions, and a Court Officer's role in the criminal Justice system

Managing Conflict Acts quickly and decisively to address an antagonistic situation, using interpersonal skills and training methods to diffuse a conflict

Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improve him/herself through professional development

Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural back rounds

Customer Service Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner, towards both Appeals Court employees and the public .

Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals

Minimum Requirements: In addition to passing the entry examination, individuals must apply to the Appeals Court job posting at www.mass.gov/courts/jobs and satisfy the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for appointment as a Court Officer:

A High School diploma or an equivalent; and at least four (4) years of experience in security, law enforcement, corrections, the military, loss prevention, emergency medical services, or direct care social services is required.

OR

An Associate's Degree; and at least two (2) years of experience in security, law enforcement, corrections, the military, loss prevention, emergency medical services, or direct care social services is required.

OR

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university; a concentration in law enforcement, criminal justice, law, or another related field is preferred.

Some formal training in self-defense is preferred.

Ability to demonstrate respect, courtesy, sensitivity, and discretion in dealing with court personnel, attorneys, litigants, public and the media.

Ability to interact calmly with individuals who are under physical and emotional stress Ability to understand and execute all policies and procedures of Court Officers as well as Massachusetts Appeals Court Personnel Policies

Ability to meet and maintain physical fitness to perform Court Officer duties, including but not limited to, standing for long periods of time, transporting detainees, and responding to disturbances.

Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form Ability to prepare detailed security reports and to maintain security logs

Ability to work dependably and professionally with co-workers, supervisors, judges, court employees, attorneys, and members of the public.

Ability to multi-task in a fast paced and stressful environment Ability to travel within the Commonwealth if necessary.

Knowledge of security, law enforcement, and corrections measures and practices.

REQUIREMENTS FOR COURT OFFICER II:

A minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Court Officer I

Certification of satisfactory attendance at all Court Officer training programs as required by the Appeals Court and the successful completion of all Security Department training necessary for the position of Court Officer II

The satisfactory performance of all job duties and assignments as determined by the Appeals Court Security Management Team

REQUIREMENT FOR COURT OFFICER III:

A total of seven (7) years or more as a Court Officer, at least three (3) of which must be as a Court Officer II

An Associate' s Degree from an accredited college or university or minimum of 60 credit hours in an accredited college or university program; Note: Employees with qualifying, honorable U.S. Military service receive either educational or tenure credit towards promotion to CO-III

Certification of the satisfactory attendance at all Court Officer training programs as required by the Court and the successful completion of all Appeals Court Security Department training necessary for the position of Court Officer III

The satisfactory performance of all job duties and assignments as determined by the Court Management Team

OTHER:

Employment is contingent upon passage of a Physical Abilities Test, a criminal record check, and completion of academy training.

If you are not currently viewing this posting online, please visit the Judicial Branch website at www.mass.gov/courts/iobs to apply for this Appeals Court position. Applications are submitted electronically. Paper applications will not be accepted. Employment is contingent upon passage of a criminal record check.

Because of the anticipated volume of applications, the Appeals Court will contact only those individuals who are selected for an interview.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Appeals Court seeks out, welcomes, and encourages applicants of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints.

Closing Date/Time: 2023-12-07