Court Security Officer I This position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System

About the Role

This is the experienced level of court security officer work providing protection and security services by monitoring and ensuring the security and safety of state property, staff, and visitors within court facilities. Employees independently perform the full range of essential functions under general supervision. Once trained and certified, officers possess the power of arrest and carry additional security/safety equipment as provided by each court.

Upon satisfactory completion of department promotional standards and job requirements, employees may be eligible to be promoted to the next level.

Responsibilities

• Enforces safety, security, and orderliness of courtrooms and property in compliance with applicable policies and procedures using defensive tactics and devices such as subduing and handcuffing individuals, using chemical propellants, tasers, or other equipment.
• Observes behavior and conduct of individuals to identify and de-escalate potentially disruptive and violent situations and takes appropriate action.
• Responds to emergencies and anticipates the need for/requests extra security.
• Inspects the assigned courtroom and court facility for explosives, firearms, and weapons, and searches individuals entering the court facility; confiscates unauthorized weapons and contraband, and takes custody of evidence in court, which may include securing guns, ammunition, and knives.
• Sets up, operates, maintains, and monitors various electronic equipment such as CCTV, paging systems, wireless microphones, audiovisual systems, audio and video recorders, overhead projectors, two-way radios, metal detectors, surveillance cameras, and panic alarms.
• Directs individuals in court proceedings by notifying court personnel, attorneys, and parties involved to be present, seating individuals, attending to special needs in compliance with the ADA, checking in defendants, and opening court by announcing the entrance of the judicial officer.
• Completes department-approved security, weapons qualification, and other training programs/certifications such as defensive tactics, tasers, and oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray.
• Maintains records of proceeding events such as opening statements, witnesses’ names, direct and cross-examinations, and summations.
• Communicates and coordinates with law enforcement and state agencies to assist with the searching and handcuffing of sentenced defendants.
• Uses computer software and automated information systems to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve, inquire, or report on data.
• Provides emergency medical assistance to courtroom attendees such as performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or using an automated external defibrillator (AED). May administer Narcan for individuals experiencing a drug overdose.
• May prepare evidence for the jury by safely installing gun locks, separating ammunition, and sealing all knives to enable presentation to the jury.
• May be responsible for the jury during the trial, including acting as liaison for the jury to the appointed judicial officer, transporting the jury to and from the courtroom, securing the jury room, protecting the jury, and assisting with scheduling and conducting offsite jury views.
• Performs other related work as required, which may include courtroom management of necessary items and supplies for counsel tables and parties in the courtroom.

Requirements

• Six months’ experience in security, such as providing protective services to persons, facilities, or grounds from trespassing, theft, and other conditions.
• Six months’ experience in record keeping, such as maintaining records, logs, and managing filing systems.
• Six months’ experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire, and report data.

Conditions of Hire

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package, please visit the website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/.