Bailiff

Grand Traverse County; United States; On-site; USD 15,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Time off

Job summary

Grand Traverse County is seeking an on‑call Bailiff to support courtroom security and order. The role involves assisting the judge, transporting inmates, and ensuring documentation and safety procedures are followed throughout trials.

The position requires alertness, professionalism, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing court schedules, with duties including opening court, managing jurors, escorting defendants, and enforcing decorum per court directives.

Qualifications

• Two years of corrections or law enforcement experience preferred.
• Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of applicable state laws, departmental orders, rules, and policies.
• Ability to operate equipment used in the role.
• Interpersonal skills to work with clients, co-workers, and other agencies.

Responsibilities

• Always remain alert and professional in appearance and demeanor.
• Transport inmates safely to and from the courtroom and ensure proper documentation for legal transfer.
• Handle restraints and conduct clothed searches as required.
• Maintain radio communication with Control Center and report status changes.
• Assist court staff and the public while maintaining courtroom security.
• Prepare bond forms and enforce courtroom rules; warn when necessary.
• Provide information to the Control Officer for jail activity logs.
• Open court, manage juror seating and distribute questionnaires.
• Relay messages from jurors to court and attorneys; assist during deliberations.
• Escort defendants to court and transport to the correctional facility.
• Collect evidence from juries and prevent distractions during trial.
• Remove firearms or other dangerous items from courtroom and conduct security sweeps.
• Assist medical staff with emergencies without compromising security.
• Ensure jurors are kept away from the public and safe from harm.
• Control access to bench and restricted areas; address disturbances promptly.
• Enforce courtroom decorum and follow judge’s directives on security.

Job description

Company Overview

Grand Traverse County is a team of passionate and incredible people who are committed to providing responsive, effective quality service to our up‑north community. We strive to be a leader in innovative, effective, collaborative, and sustainable county government. We offer stable work environments and competitive salaries to both full‑time and part‑time employees. We provide a competitive compensation package including benefits and time off.

Job Description

The primary functions of a Bailiff are to play an important role in the courtroom, maintaining order and security, and assisting the judge in orderly conduct of a trial. The Bailiff will need the ability to analyze situations and adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action. This is an on‑call position that is planned to serve 15‑20 hours per week.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Always remain alert and professional in appearance and demeanor.
• Transport inmates safely to and from the courtroom and ensure proper documentation is in their possession for the legal transfer of inmates.
• Place restraint devices on inmates and conduct clothed body searches prior to being transported to court and upon returning from court.
• Maintain radio communication with Control Center, advising them of change in status or assigned location.
• Be courteous when assisting court staff and the public, without sacrificing the security of the courtroom.
• Prepare bond forms and enforce courtroom rules of behavior, warning persons not to disturb procedure.
• Provide information to the Control Officer for an appropriate entry on the jail activity log.

Trial/Courtroom Duties

• Open court and inform the judge that court is ready.
• Take custody of jurors, assist jurors in finding seats, and distribute jury questionnaires.
• Relay messages from jurors to court and families, and advise court personnel and attorneys when verdicts are reached.
• Remain available to the court during deliberations.
• Escort defendants to and from the courtroom and transport them to the correctional facility.
• Collect evidence from juries and prevent noise or other distractions in the courtroom during trial.
• Remove firearms or other harmful devices from the courtroom or from people in the courtroom by conducting searches and security sweeps of the courtroom, restricted areas, and public access.
• Assist medical staff with medical emergency services, if such assistance does not distract the Bailiff from providing appropriate security.
• Prevent jurors from contacting the public, escorting them as needed, and keeping them safe from harm.
• Control access to the bench and other restricted areas, and promptly address any disturbance.
• Enforce the decorum of the courtroom and remove those who are non‑compliant with standards.
• Comply with the directives of the judge with respect to security‑related activities.
• Perform duties incidental to the efficient functioning of the court.
• Make arrests as directed by the judge and stand for hours at a time.

Conditions of Employment

• Must not have been convicted of a felony or a crime that might question the person's credibility.
• Must successfully complete the employment screening process, which may include written and oral evaluations, psychological and physical screening, as well as a complete background investigation.
• Must be in good health and able to perform the necessary duties, including the ability to pursue, apprehend, restrain, and control inmates and to manage prevention of inmate assaults.
• May be required to successfully complete a physical readiness test yearly.
• Must meet minimum vision requirements and have normal hearing.
• Must serve in an “on‑call” capacity.
• Appointment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check, which includes identity verification, criminal record review, education and license verification, DMV records, DOJ fingerprint scan, and drug and alcohol testing where applicable.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• Two years of corrections or law enforcement experience preferred.
• Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of applicable state laws and departmental orders, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Knowledge of self‑defense techniques.
• Ability to operate equipment utilized in the work.
• Interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co‑workers, and other agencies.
• Ability to interpret and explain policies, processes, regulations, and applicable laws within area of expertise in layman's terms.
• Consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.
• Apply sound judgment, solve problems, make effective decisions, and act with integrity.
• Comprehend, process, and apply verbal and written skills appropriate to the job.
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files.
• Maintain confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Use county resources effectively and efficiently.