Judicial Security Deputy

Hamilton County Sheriff''s Office; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Court Security Officer to maintain order and safety in the courtroom and surrounding areas. Responsibilities include preparing courtrooms, transporting defendants, and ensuring secure proceedings.

The role requires knowledge of the criminal justice system, de-escalation skills, and the ability to interact with individuals in tense situations while upholding professional standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1 year POST-certified law enforcement or correctional experience.
• Basic police academy completed.
• 60 college credits in criminal justice or related field.
• 2 years public safety EMT/paramedic/firefighter experience.
• 2 years active duty military (honorable discharge).
• 5 years guard or reserve experience.

Responsibilities

• Arranges seating and prepares courtroom for hearings; maintains order and safety in the court.
• Transports defendants and delivers court papers; communicates with judge and Sheriff’s staff.
• Conducts security checks to prevent weapons; ensures safety of court participants.
• Monitors hallways and directs defendants, witnesses, and the public to appropriate courtroom.

Skills

Courtroom security

Criminal justice knowledge

Conflict de-escalation

Professionalism

Diplomacy

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

1 year POST-certified law enforcement or correctional experience

Basic police academy completed

60 college credits in criminal justice or related field

2 years public safety EMT/paramedic/firefighter

2 years active duty military (honorable discharge)

5 years guard or reserve experience

Job description

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT HCSO HUMAN RESOURCES AT 423-209-7657 or 423-209-7014.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, maintains order and security in the courtroom and immediate premises; prepares courtroom for hearings and arranges seating and other physical details; and performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this classification.

TASKS

• Arranges seating and other physical details; prepares courtroom for hearings and arranges defendants in order of appearance; performs other work assigned by the judge; maintains order in the court; delivers court papers from jail to courthouse; transports the judge from chambers to the courtroom and keeps courtroom secure; maintains order and safety in the courts and courthouse; keeps watch for any subject who could possibly cause a disturbance.
• Prepares courtroom for hearings and arranges seating; calls the court to order; serves the judge in order to facilitate the judicial process and performs other work as assigned by the judge; keeps the Sheriff and Chief Deputy aware of any breach of security or escape attempts; monitors hallway and directs defendants, witnesses and the general public to the appropriate courtroom; remains vigilant for any suspicious behavior.
• Conducts security checks of the courtroom and jury room to prevent anyone from hiding weapons; provides a safe and secure environment for the judges, spectators, and prisoners in the courtroom; ensures the safety of all people and property within the courthouse, courtrooms, and surrounding grounds; maintains the integrity of the judicial process and keeps safe the persons within their custody and within the courtroom.
• Maintains a high level of mental and physical capabilities on the part of those charged with protection of the judge and officers of the court, litigants, and the general public; assumes responsibility for prisoners transported to and from the detention center to the courts to assist with any paperwork that is necessary to process inmates; assumes responsibility for the safety and security of visitors to the courtrooms; coordinates the feeding, sequestering, transportation of jurors; deals with a wide range of people.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledge of the various types of individuals being brought to the courtroom.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of methodologies used in the maintenance of order in the courtroom.
• Skill in maintaining one's personal and professional standards.
• Skill in interacting with individuals acting in a suspicious manner.
• Skill in using diplomacy in the courtroom setting.
• Skill in documenting activities observed while on duty.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This classification involves working with individuals who are most likely to exhibit emotional tendencies toward those in authority. Thus, it would be expected that emotions might flare up. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment through the use of pre-employment and random drug testing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A high school diploma or GED.

QUALIFICATIONS (CSM 804 Special Register)

• One (1) year of full time POST certified law enforcement and/or correctional institution experience, or
• Successfully completed a basic police academy, or
• Sixty (60) hours college credit in criminal justice, homeland security, fire science or related field (must provide transcript or copy of degree), or
• Two (2) years full time public safety experience as EMT, paramedic or firefighter, or
• Two (2) years of active duty military in the armed forces (must have a honorable discharge), or
• Five (5) years of guard or reserve experience (time in service and training will be evaluated as to qualification).

Required to pass the agility test consisting of an obstacle course administered by Human Resources and the training divisions and is based on a passing time.