ABOUT FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
The Franklin County Municipal Court (FCMC) is the largest and busiest municipal Court in the State of Ohio. The Court has fourteen judges in the General Division and one judge in the Environmental Division. Judges preside over civil, criminal, and traffic cases and conduct both jury and court trials. The Court’s jurisdiction includes traffic cases, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil cases where the amount at issue is $15,000 or less. The Environmental Division has exclusive jurisdiction to enforce local codes and regulations affecting real property, such as fire and building codes. The geographic jurisdiction of the Court is all of Franklin County and those portions of the City of Columbus that extend beyond the boundaries of Franklin County. Despite its jurisdiction and name, the Franklin County Municipal Court is the judicial branch of the City of Columbus government.
JOB PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW
The Franklin County Municipal Court operates a Court Security Program to maintain a safe environment for judges, employees, and all others having business in the courthouse. The Security Department currently consists of a Director of Security, Security Bailiff Supervisors, an Administrative Security Bailiff Supervisor, a Control Room Supervisor, and 19 security bailiff officers on the day shift, 5 security Bailiff officers on the second Shift, and a control room operator on the second and third shifts. The Court contracts with a private security company to provide the Municipal Court with additional support during evenings, weekends, and Holidays.
Court Security Bailiff Officers are responsible for all security aspects of a courthouse, including ensuring the safety of judges, judicial staff, court employees, and the general public visiting the courthouse. Officers also ensure that no weapons are brought into the courthouse and that the staff and public comply with the FCMC Security and Emergency Response Procedures. Other job duties include monitoring entrances and exits, working at screening stations, and roaming the courthouse hallways to detect suspicious activity.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION
Full-time, 1st Shift 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M, working hours as assigned by the Director of Court Security.
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.
Personal Protection and Security: Protect judges, court staff, and administrators in courtrooms and parking facilities. Escort judges, jurors, and courthouse employees as needed. Respond appropriately to lethal threats and dynamic, chaotic, or evolving situations.
Access Control and Screening: Screen vendors, visitors, employees, and packages using X-ray equipment, CCTV, and other access-control devices. Ensure no weapons, illegal drugs, or contraband enter the court facility. Escort deliveries throughout the Municipal Court Building after screening.
Monitoring and Incident Response: Monitor cameras, radio traffic, alarms, and emergency calls. Investigate suspicious activities or individuals and assist in apprehending or detaining them if necessary. Prepare and log incident reports, including security breaches, accidents, and other incidents. Conduct routine security tests on equipment and inspect courtrooms for explosives, safety hazards, or unauthorized personnel.
Patrol and Safety Enforcement: Conduct security patrols, secure doors, and monitor hallways, restrooms, and courtrooms. Maintain compliance with court safety and security procedures. Support law enforcement officers during arrests or in the courtroom during disruptions.
Emergency Liaison and Public Interaction: Act as a liaison with the public and safety personnel during emergencies. Respond to public inquiries and ensure professional, courteous interaction.
Equipment and Training: Operate and maintain security devices, including metal detectors, X-ray machines, and duress alarms. Maintain court-issued equipment and ensure compliance with operational procedures. Undergo continuous training to enhance job skills and provide training to new employees. Comply with firearm assessments by the Director of Security.
Report Writing and Documentation: Proficiently prepare reports on security incidents, breaches, and accidents. Maintain a Comprehensive working knowledge of the rules of conduct and procedures in the Court Security Directives Manual.
Additional Responsibilities: Treat all visitors professionally and maintain a clean, professional appearance. Perform other tasks or assignments as required. Inspect court facilities for safety concerns and address issues proactively.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Certification: High school diploma or equivalent. Minimum of 5 years full-time law enforcement experience with proof of Ohio OPOTA Peace Officer Certification or proof of an OPOTA Peace Officer Training Commission Armed Court Bailiffs Certification.
FIREARMS AND DEFENSIVE EQUIPMENT: Must provide a personal duty firearm approved by the Director of Security; the Court supplies training ammunition. Must successfully qualify before employment and annually with an approved firearm at an OPOTA-approved firearms range under OPOTA Peace Officer Training Academy handgun standards.
- Must maintain proficiency with intermediate weapons and other defensive equipment approved by the Director of Security.
- Must successfully pass a psychological examination, medical evaluation, background investigation, and drug screening before employment.
- Professional Attributes: Pleasant personality and ability to maintain effective relationships with judges, staff, and the public. Sensitivity to and understanding of the Court’s diverse population. Professional appearance and demeanor. Dependability, reliability, and an excellent attendance record. Patience, objectivity, sound judgment, and adaptability under stress.
- Skills and Knowledge: Familiarity with office practices, procedures, and equipment. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel). Effective verbal and written communication with diverse audiences. Problem-solving skills to address practical, everyday issues.
- Training and Performance Standards: Pass and re-qualify annually under OPOTA, Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy handgun standards. Proficiency in specialized rapid response training. Wear a provided protective vest (highly encouraged). Undergo yearly performance assessments by the Director of Security to maintain armed security bailiff status. Pass annual online and/ or in-person training courses as ordered by the Director of Security.
- Authority and Reassignment: Armed Security Bailiff status is subject to approval by the Judicial Security Committee. The Director of Security and Judicial Security Committee may reassign Armed Security Bailiff II to Unarmed Security Bailiff Officer I status at their discretion.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Additional consideration will be given to individuals who have any of the following qualifications: an associate’s degree or other advanced schooling; previous experience as a police or security officer; an understanding of basic legal terminology and procedures; the ability to speak and write Spanish or a language commonly used by people of Somalia for whom English is a second language; or proficiency in American Sign Language.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- The position requires frequent sitting, with intermittent periods of standing and/or walking.
- Must be able to lift to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to ascend and descend 4 flights of stairs.
- Ability to run 20 yards.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
This position requires significant interaction with the public, as well as with accused and convicted criminal offenders. This position may require you to respond to lethal force with lethal force.
BENEFITS
The Franklin County Municipal Court offers an excellent benefits package that includes medical, prescription, vision, dental, and life insurance; short-term disability; generous vacation, sick, and personal leave; 11 paid holidays; longevity service payments; sick-leave reciprocity; employee assistance and deferred-compensation programs; tuition reimbursement; and credit-union membership.
Court employees are members of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, which provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits for public employees. The Court pays the required employer 14 percent of the employee’s salary. Court employees do not have Social Security taxes withheld from their paychecks because they are members of OPERS.
COURT EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEE
In completing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the Court expects the employee to adhere to all Court policies, guidelines, practices, and procedures; act as a role model both inside and outside the Court; perform duties as workload necessitates in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner; be conscientious about meeting department productivity standards; and communicate regularly with the supervisor about department issues.
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT
Employees of the Court are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the Court; they are not in the classified civil service system and are not members of bargaining units.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, religion, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, military status, or genetic information.
