Court Security Officer

County of Thurston; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 47,251 - 62,841; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Union representation

Overtime eligibility

Job summary

County of Thurston is seeking a Court Security Officer in Olympia, Washington, to ensure the safety and security of the courthouse. Responsibilities include monitoring courtroom activities, operating security equipment, and responding to emergencies. Ideal candidates will possess a high school diploma, experience in law enforcement or corrections, and successful completion of a certified law enforcement program. This is a full-time role offering a salary between $4,234.00 and $5,631.00 monthly. Benefits include union representation and eligibility for overtime.

Qualifications

• Must maintain valid First Aid Card, including CPR.
• Must provide own weapon meeting Thurston County Sheriff’s standards.
• Pass background investigation including employment and criminal history.

Responsibilities

• Provide security and protection in Thurston County Courts.
• Monitor courtroom and facilities for security risks.
• Assist with building evacuations and respond to emergencies.

Skills

Knowledge of Washington State Court procedures

Experience with security screening equipment

Basic computer operating systems

Supervisory skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Law enforcement or corrections experience

Graduate from a Washington State Basic or Reserve Law Enforcement Academy

Tools

X-Ray Machines

Magnetometers

Hand-Held Metal Detectors

Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

Job description

The salary for this position is: $4,234.00 to $5,631.00 monthly

Court Security Officer

Under the general direction of Superior Court, the Court SecurityOfficer provides day-to-day protection and security of the Thurston County Courts and respective facilities. Responsibilities include maintaining order and ensuring personal safety and security of judges, staff, and the general public. Operate and maintain the security screening stations in court facilities. Monitor and respond to courtroom and court facilities emergency alarms and respond to calls for security service and assistance. This position also performs a variety of technical duties for court security processes.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Secures weapons prior to persons entering the courthouse and ensures weapons are safely secured in lockers.
• Confiscating and seizing unauthorized weapons and processing them for criminal charges and/or destruction.
• Maintaining accurate daily records of numbers of visitors entering the courthouse.
• Operates walk-through magnetometer, hand held wand, metal detector or other related types of screening devices to check visitors entering the courthouse for weapons and other prohibited articles. Conducts hand searches of personally carried items to inspect for potentially dangerous objects.
• Continuously monitors, via closed circuit cameras, courtrooms and facilities for adverse situations. Intervenes to prevent escalation of problems. May be required to use restraint or force, up to and including deadly force as deemed responsible and necessary. Makes arrests if required and prepares incident and arrest reports.
• May be required to control and limit public access to the court facilities to reduce security risk and ensure public safety.
• Responds to alarms, bomb threats, and safety concerns and assists with building evacuation. Provide escort duties for individuals in a threatened or endangered situation. Implements first aid procedures as necessary.
• When required, calls for assistance from local law enforcement and/or emergency response units. Utilizes pagers, telephones, and portable radios to maintain communications with other security personnel and/or other agencies responding to calls for assistance. Provides aid to responding agencies as requested.
• Provides general information, direction and assistance to the public.
• May be asked to monitor courtroom proceedings.

Working Conditions

• Work Environment – Work is performed in a courthouse setting and involves sitting and standing near the building entrance for the majority of the workday. Lifting of equipment, files, or exhibits weighing up to 50 lbs. is required. May be required to stand for periods of up to several hours.
• Schedule – Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workload demands may occasionally require work outside the assigned work hours.
• Travel Requirements – Occasional travel required to perform essential functions at various County Courthouse locations and may be required to attend meetings or trainings.
• Customer Interactions – Daily in-person interactions with Thurston County staff and the public. Danger of physical harm may be present in dealing with hostile or aggressive individuals or while escorting people in the courthouse complex and parking area.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two year’s law enforcement or corrections experience.
• Graduate from a Washington State Basic or Reserve Law Enforcement Academy, Correctional Academy, or equivalent training from a certified law enforcement program; or federal law enforcement experience (e.g. Military Police) or certified as a federal law enforcement officer (e.g. FBI, DEA).
• Qualified law enforcement or correctional experience that includes a firearms program with a use of force component can be considered if it meets Washington State Criminal Justice Commission Training requirements.
• Must be able to obtain a Special Commission from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office at time of hire.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's License.
• Upon hire must maintain a valid First Aid Card, including CPR with a certification in the use of the Life Pak Emergency Defibrillator.
• Officers are required to provide their own weapon, which meets Thurston County Sheriff’s Office standards.
• Must be able to qualify in the use of a short firearm, with requirement to successfully re-qualify with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office annually.
• Must be able to pass a background investigation which may include, but is not limited to employment history, criminal history, psychological, and /or polygraph examinations.

Desired Skills

• Basic knowledge of Washington State Court procedures and functions.
• Specialized training and experience with security screening equipment: X-Ray Machines, Magnetometers, Hand-Held Metal Detectors.
• Experience with basic computer operating systems: Microsoft Office: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook and Access.
• Experience in creating training programs and writing workplace policies.
• Experience supervising, leading, evaluating, motivating, training, and mentoring employees.

Benefits and Eligibility

• Represented by a union
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at [phone]. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.