COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW 4 - BAILIFF (CERTIFIED)

*Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred*

Acceptable Experience and Education

High School diploma or GED and at least five (5) years’ experience as a certified licensed peace officer or similar experience.

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required

Must possess and maintain a peace officer license under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement; 

Must possess or obtain within one year of employment a Court Security certification issued by a training program approved by the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement;

Must have or obtain by date of hire, a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso; and

Continuing education requirements to retain licensure(s).

Essential Duties

Provides security for the court;

Provides security for staff, others who serve the court, members of the public including prospective jurors, jury members, lawyers, witnesses and parties in all their activities with the court;

Provides physical protection during court sessions for the presiding judges, attorneys, witnesses, defendants, court participants and spectators; maintains order during court proceedings; opens and recesses court;

Transports prisoners to and from detention facilities; executes warrants; arrests individuals and transports them to detention facilities for processing; ensures security of the court with regard to inmates present for hearings when insufficient detention officers are available;

Calls witnesses and escorts their seating and movement within the courtroom; interacts with attorneys and provides assistance during hearings for witnesses and document distribution (all necessary to ensure the security of the court);

Assists the general public in their dealings with the court proceedings;

Attends sessions of the court; assists in handling the orderly processing of hearings before the court to include calling the docket, calling for parties, advises and enforces courtroom rules of behavior and procedures; assistance during hearings with regard to handling of documents and evidence during the hearings to ensure the Court’s security; 

Participates in jury panel administration; performs jury management; notifies the court of absent jurors; provides instruction and directions to jurors; notifies appropriate party as to individuals who have failed to respond to report for jury duty; seats jurors; remains with juries during their service to include sequestration, if needed;

Provides technical support for the court’s evidence presentation video system;

Provides docket administration; ensures individuals required to be at court proceedings are present; 

Prepares bond forfeiture documents; prepares courtroom and ensures that court files are available for the court session; carries out orders from the judge; 

Requests and ensures timely and correct attendance by jail inmates for court sessions; updates and maintains regular contact with jail staff to ensure attendance by inmates; 

Assists the general public in their dealings with the court proceedings;

Performs data entry; scans documents into automated systems; files documents;

Serves civil and criminal papers, fingerprints prisoners, and makes arrests when required;

May assist in the development and improvement of department procedures;

Attends and participates in meetings, trainings, and information sessions; 

Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field, especially courtroom security

Performs other related duties as directed by the court, including answering the telephone, giving court settings, assisting during voir dire and jury trials or anything other court personnel might need assistance with;

Substitutes, if assigned, for court staff during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations; 

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Depending on Assigned Area

Assists in training on the Judicial System Software;

Summons Grand Jurors/Petit Jurors, scans letters; 

Secures and instructs the panel;

Runs reports on Grand Jurors’ attendance;

Secures Grand Jury/Petit Jury area; prevents public contact with the Grand Jury/Petit Jury; 

Is responsible for Grand Jurors/Petit Jurors;

Supervises the completion of required forms and advises Grand Jurors/Petit Jurors of when and where to report for jury;

Makes arrangements for subpoenas or witnesses and/or any supplies or services needed by Grand Juror

during their service; 

Takes daily attendance and ensures payment to Grand Jurors/Petit Jurors; maintains record of meal tickets and vouchers and provides them to the Council of Judges for payment;

Participates in jury panel administration; performs jury management; notifies the court of absent jurors; provides instruction and directions to jurors; notifies appropriate party as to individuals who have failed to respond to report for jury duty; seats jurors; remains with juries during their service to include sequestration, if needed;

Assists in completing the budget;

Maintains and orders office supplies;

Other Important Duties*

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned; 

Must be available to follow the trial schedule, which may require working early or late, or on weekends; overnight if necessary;

During an emergency situation when the Courthouse has to be evacuated, the Bailiffs will assist courthouse security in evacuating the building and also assist the Sheriff’s Department in providing a perimeter around the courthouse to help keep employees and the public away from the courthouse; and

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor. 

Summary of Position

The Bailiff-Certified is an officer of the court appointed by the presiding judge, who ensures the security of all individuals who enter court offices (primarily the Judge, but also all staff, ancillary court staff, members of the public, parties and witnesses) and who under general supervision coordinates court activities and maintains a high level of safety, security and decorum within and around the courtroom. 

Salary : $65,247