Title: Assistant Chief Court Officer - Salem Court Complex

Pay Grade: N16 - Assistant Chief Court Officer

Starting Pay: $86,011.90

Departmental Mission Statement: The mission of the Massachusetts Trial Court Security Department is to provide safety and security for all those who work in or come to our courthouses. The Security Department seeks to ensure a safe and secure environment in which to conduct court business while maintaining professionalism, order, and decorum in the courts. Using a comprehensive training regimen, coupled with the implementation of state-of-the-art security system technologies, the department strives to ensure public safety, access to justice, and the highest customer service in the courts of Commonwealth. The Security Department is committed to employing a high quality workforce to meet the diverse needs of those who utilize the courts.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE: http://www.mass.gov/courts/admin/security.html

Notes:

• This position is ONLY for current Trial Court Officers who have taken and passed the Court Officer Promotion Eligibility Exam.
• PLEASE NOTE: If you are currently an Assistant Chief Court Officer interested in this position, you must apply and go through the interview process to be considered.  
• This position is covered by the NAGE bargaining unit. 

Position Summary: Assists the Chief Court Officer in supervising, assigning and effectively utilizing Court Officers and security as needed at the Court facility to protect court users and staff. Ensures that proper policies and procedures are followed by court staff and court users. Identifies and addresses security concerns and responds to all disturbances and emergencies, exercising arrest powers and providing limited medical assistance as needed.

Duties:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Manages security for courthouses;
• Supervises and assigns Associate Court Officers and Court Officers to ensure proper coverage on a daily basis;
• Monitors operations of technical security systems. Generates work orders for any malfunction or outages to the Judicial Information Security Infrastructure Group (SIG);
• Performs police duties in accordance with statutory police powers in or about the areas of the court to which they have been assigned;
• Oversees access control and employee identification cards;
• Implements security plans to ensure safety of the assigned courts;
• Provides detainee and lock-up management;
• Assists implementation of training programs for assigned officers;
• Compiles, maintains and submits monthly total activity logs to the Regional Director’s Office;
• Provides staff meetings to keep employees informed of upcoming events and trainings;
• Approves officer time and completes payroll tasks; answers daily emails;
• Completes monthly building, AED, OC, Narcan and duress alarm checks;
• Attends management meetings with department heads to discuss court-related issues;
• Acts as the Chief Court Officer in his/her absence;
• Coordinates with Court Officer Training Specialist (COTS) to ensure all officers assigned are scheduled for in-service trainings and certifications are up to date;
• Schedules evacuation drills;
• Assists security screening at the front door as needed;
• Maintains communication with justice(s), court administrative officials, key court personnel, county and local government officials, and members of the bar relative to court officer and other security related matters;
• Participates in updating and refining safety and security plans for courthouses under his/her jurisdiction;
• Issues written warnings to Court Officers as necessary in consultation with the Chief Court Officer for conduct violations; and
• Performs other duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the direction of the Chief Court Officer or their designee.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position serves as a supervisor to others.

IMPACT OF ACTIONS/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT:
This position operates under general direction with long-term impact on the organization.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments and outdoor environments.
Work requires frequent exposure to individuals who are hostile or irate and individuals with known violent backgrounds.
Travel and after hour work may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
This position requires heavy work:
Exerting up to one hundred (100) pounds of force occasionally, up to fifty (50) pounds of force frequently, and/or up to twenty (20) pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

Job Competencies: 

• Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.
• Mission Driven: Employees are fully committed to fulfilling the Trial Court and associated Departmental missions.
• Professional Development: Employees are committed to participating in ongoing Trial Court training and educational offerings to advance their professional development. Managers are equally committed to affording those opportunities to those they supervise as scheduling permits.
• Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.
• Applied Knowledge: Understands all court officer operations, knowledge of the various court departments and divisions, and a security supervisor’s role in the criminal justice system.
• Strategic Planning: Utilizes the best available information to successfully position the Security Department to achieve aspirational goals at both the departmental and local levels.
• Leadership: Ability and willingness to provide direction, vision, and presence, motivating others to work together to achieve a high level goal or purpose.
• Management Skills: Maintaining clear systems and work unit structure, outlining step-by-step methods for addressing challenges, and assigning duties and projects to subordinates as appropriate.
• Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Collaboration: Works with others cooperatively, and promotes teamwork, contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.
• Supervisory Skills: Active oversight and evaluation of the performance of subordinate staff, identifying areas of improvement, and providing guidance, direction, or taking corrective action as necessary.

Minimum Requirements: 

Education and Experience
• Associate degree from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of court officer experience;
• Seven (7) years of court officer experience without a degree;
• Certified and up to date with all Security training requirements;
• Equivalent combinations of higher education and court officer experience will be considered for meeting minimum qualifications.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
• Trial Court Policy and procedures;
• Court Officer policy and procedures;
• Union collection bargaining agreement;
• Enforcement jurisdictions;
• Building layouts;
• Building evacuation;
• Active shooter situations.

Skill in:
• Verbal and written communication;
• De-escalation;
• Organization and prioritization;
• Supervision;
• Time management;
• Multitasking;
• Observation;
• Emergency Medical First Responder.

Ability to:
• Stay mission focused;
• Apply skills in stressful environment;
• Implement changes;
• Manage prisoners in court.