Tipstaff

County of Chester; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

County of Chester in West Chester seeks a part-time Tipstaff to maintain order in the courtroom, open the court for the judge, prepare the bench, and assist jurors.

The role involves ensuring security, stocking forms, delivering files, answering questions about the judge's daily list, and coordinating with the sheriff's office as needed. A PA background check is required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• One to three months related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Strong listening and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain focused on daily operations.
• Ability to follow court protocol.
• Ability to use common sense understanding to carry out written or verbal instructions.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Unlock courtroom and jury room; check for security and cleanliness.
• Ensure availability of sundry supplies for judge's use.
• Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedures.
• Maintain courtroom order, decorum and silence inside and outside of courtroom
• Stop people from entering the courtroom while judge charges jury.
• Protect all seated jurors from outside influences at ALL times in order to prevent unauthorized contacts and a mistrial.
• Lock and secure courtroom during recess, as needed.
• Secure a jury room for deliberations, when necessary.
• Report need for police or medical assistance to sheriff's office.
• Brings court to attention upon arrival of judge and announce entrance of judge.
• If an emergency or fire drill occurs, Tipstaves must assemble and escort the jury to a place of refuge outside of the courthouse precincts and remain with them at all times during the emergency.
• Obtain parking receipts from jurors.
• Provide directions to all visitors to the courthouse, when requested.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. Occasionally, the employee is required to climb stairs. On rare occasions, the employee will need to stoop, kneel or crouch.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Skills

Listening skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Court protocol

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Tipstaff position is responsible for maintaining order in the courtroom. This part-time position is responsible for opening the court for the judge, preparing the bench for the judge, stocking courtroom forms, assisting the jurors with their needs/questions, delivering files for the judge, answering questions regarding the judge's daily list, and ensuring that all parties are present in courtroom and informing judge of same.

PA State Police Criminal Background Check is required.

• Unlock courtroom and jury room; check for security and cleanliness.
• Ensure availability of sundry supplies for judge's use.
• Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedures.
• Maintain courtroom order, decorum and silence inside and outside of courtroom
• Stop people from entering the courtroom while judge charges jury.
• Protect all seated jurors from outside influences at ALL times in order to prevent unauthorized contacts and a mistrial.
• Lock and secure courtroom during recess, as needed.
• Secure a jury room for deliberations, when necessary.
• Report need for police or medical assistance to sheriff's office.
• Brings court to attention upon arrival of judge and announce entrance of judge.
• If an emergency or fire drill occurs, Tipstaves must assemble and escort the jury to a place of refuge outside of the courthouse precincts and remain with them at all times during the emergency.
• Obtain parking receipts from jurors.
• Provide directions to all visitors to the courthouse, when requested.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. Occasionally, the employee is required to climb stairs. On rare occasions, the employee will need to stoop, kneel or crouch.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• One to three months related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Strong listening and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain focused on daily operations.
• Ability to follow court protocol.
• Ability to use common sense understanding to carry out written or verbal instructions.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions.
• Knowledge of county courts.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to present information in a one-on-one or small group situation.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions.
• Accurate and detail oriented.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.