Municipal Court Officer

Job Description

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!

The Kent Police Department is looking for a Municipal Court Officer.  The successful candidate will have the skills required to maintain order in the courthouse; ensuring the security of the staff, public and prisoners as a priority at all times. Due to the nature of court operations, the incumbent must be adept at employing various conflict management skills. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in addition to interpersonal skills and being a team player are a must.

This is a full-time non-represented position with benefits that is also covered under Civil Service. The City will establish a ranked eligibility list for this classification that will be in effect for a period of six (6) months, but may be extended upon request of the Police Chief, and with Commission approval, up to twenty-four months.

**Please note that a cover letter and resume must be attached to your on-line application in order for your application to be considered complete.  You cannot add these items to your application after you have submitted it.  If you experience technical difficulties while filling out your application please call our office at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

SALARY:

$7,019.00- 8,573.00 monthly, depending on experience

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Court Administrator and supervised by the KPD Administrative Sergeant, maintain order and security in the Municipal Court facility.

Work is characterized by performing a variety of courthouse responsibilities both inside and outside the facility to ensure the safety of all court users. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining order and security in the Municipal Court house; monitoring security scanner and weapons detector; conducting security inspections; reporting and recording all incidents that threaten security; transport of felony offenders (from/to CKCF); court escorts from CKCF (when CO (AFSCME) not available); transport of inmates for medical appointments/procedures off-site of CKCF (when CO (AFSCME) not available).  Because of the nature of court operations, the incumbent may be required to deal with difficult and sometimes hostile individuals requiring the use of conflict management skills. 

Work is performed under limited supervision. The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. The incumbent and supervisor work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. The incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives. The incumbent keeps the supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintain order and security in the Municipal Court; to include staff, the public, and prisoners.

Monitor security scanner and weapons detector at the courthouse entrance; respond appropriately to unruly and/or out of control individuals within the court facility and in the near vicinity.

Conduct scheduled and random security inspections; notify court staff of potentially dangerous individuals.

Escort felony CKCF inmates over from CKCF facility to the Municipal Court for proceedings. 

Escort misdemeanor CKCF inmates over from CKCF facility to the Municipal Court for proceedings (if CO (AFSCME) is not available).

Transport felony CKCF inmates to other facilities as necessary to include for court appearances, medical appointments, etc.

Transport misdemeanor CKCF inmates to other facilities as necessary to include for court appearances, medical appointments, etc. (if CO (AFSCME) not available).

Maintain equipment and uniforms for all security personnel.

Coordinate schedules for all security personnel to include Night Court coverage.

Must carry a firearm and  follow the Kent Police Departments firearms qualification schedule.

Attend training as required to maintain limited-commission status.

Report and record all incidents that threaten security.

Assist the judicial staff in the courtroom which includes, but is not limited to, fingerprinting; writing original and supplemental police reports; issuing citations; collecting evidence: placing items into safe keeping; and removing individuals, as necessary. Act as a witness, providing enforcement documentation for hearings and other legal proceedings.

Maintain and operate Portable Breathalyzer Test unit.

Research special security projects as requested by the Court Administrator.

Take and maintain custody of in-court commitments; and warrant arrests; arrange for the transfer of prisoners between the Municipal Court, Corrections facility, and/or other jurisdictions.

Assist and direct visitors to courtrooms, telephones, and restrooms; aid public in emergency situations; and maintain the security lockers available to the public.

Coordinate and train for court evacuation procedures.

Inspect the Municipal Court facility, equipment, and grounds to identify safety hazards, maintenance problems, and unsafe working conditions; correct and/or report maintenance deficiencies and safety hazards as appropriate.

Provide training for staff and security personnel when needed. Develop policies, procedures and forms for security staff and officers. Compile daily statistics for screening and transports to measure unit’s performance. Attend and actively participant in committee meetings and work groups.

Supervise and mentor contract private security assigned to the courthouse. Act as a liaison with security vendor.

Determines when a lawful search or arrest can or should be attempted; determines when and to what extent physical force should be use, as governed bylaw and department regulations. Must be able to recognize when the application of deadly force is appropriate under state law and department policy. Must have the mental and physical capabilities to employ deadly force in order to protect human life.

Actively support the vision, mission, values and goals of the department and the City.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

Perform related duties as assigned.

Other duties as assigned.

SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL:

HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Municipal Court and related law enforcement practices and procedures
• Municipal government policies, procedures, structure, operations, and objectives
• Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary
• Safety planning methods and techniques
• Recordkeeping techniques
• City ordinances and codes as well as other applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.  
• City organization, operations, policies and objectives.
• County and State agencies and offices involved in court-related activities
• Weapons, explosive devices, and electronic scanning devices
• First aid principles and application.

BE SKILLED IN:

• Use and care of firearms.
• Excellent interpersonal skills using, tact, patience, and courtesy in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, city staff, city officials, and the public
• Operation of city owned vehicle and other police equipment.
• Proficient in the use of all  office equipment, including personal computers and related software applications
• Creating safety plans to ensure safety
• Oral and written communication including the correct English usage, grammar, spelling punctuation and vocabulary.
• Preparing clear and concise correspondence and written materials.
• Analyzing situations accurately and adopting an effective course of action

HAVE THE ABILITY TO:

• Interact with emotionally distraught, irate, and combative individuals
• Handle emergency and conflict situations in a calm and effective manner with minimal supervision
• Apply safe work practices and recognize unusual, insufficient, or dangerous operating conditions
• Communicate and work effectively with the public, co-workers, elected officials and a diverse range of people  
• Use judgment and initiative in carrying out operations within a general set of rules, regulations, and legal prescriptions
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships court staff, other law enforcement agencies, and other City departments
• Interact with others utilizing tact, patience, and courtesy
• Work effectively with ethnic communities and citizens from diverse backgrounds
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate efficiently
• Work independently with minimal direction
• Respond to common inquiries or complaints from victims, witnesses, outside agencies, or the public
• Apply common sense understanding to solve practical problems
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive materials and information
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the City of Kent Municipal Court
• Comprehend and follow oral and written directions
• Fluently read and write the English language, using proper grammar, spelling and punctuation

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education:    

High school diploma, general education degree (GED), or equivalent; and,

Experience:   

Three (3) years of responsible experience in law enforcement or facility security.

LICENSES AND OTHER INFORMATION:

• United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident who can read and write the English language
• Not less than 21 years of age at the time of hire
• Must meet minimum medical and health standards adopted by the Civil Service Commission
• Positions in this class must meet Civil Service Rules and Regulations
• Must possess a Washington State Drivers License, or the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment
• Firearms qualification based on the Kent Police Departments firearms qualification schedule; CPR re-certification every twelve (12) months; Portable Breathe Test (PBT) certification; Washington State Criminal Information Center (WASIC) certification – Access training
• Successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s basic law enforcement academy or equivalency academy, within the time frame required by Washington State Law

MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Typical business office machinery and equipment include, but is not limited to, personal computer including spreadsheet and word processing software, printers, telephone, fax and copy machines, calculator, copier, city owned vehicles, firearms, security equipment, metal detector, and other police related equipment.

The incumbent will also be required to operate a City vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use arms, hands and fingers to reach, handle, feel, or operate objects, materials, tools, equipment, or controls; frequently required to sit, stand, walk, hear, and talk normally with or without mechanical assistance; occasionally required to lift in excess of 50 pounds; frequently required to sit or stand for extended periods of time; bending, reaching, standing for extended periods of time as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of his job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work is performed primarily in a courthouse with moderate to excessive noise level; prone to interruptions substantiated by walk-in employees, applicants, citizens, etc. Occasionally, the incumbent is subject to driving from site to site. The employee may be contacted by disgruntled and hostile defendants, litigants, citizens, customers, or employees requiring the ability to work under pressure, ability to quickly adjust to changing priorities and demands, and requiring conflict-management skill. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in the courthouse.

Employees in this classification may be required to work varying shifts including nights and weekends as assigned by management.

The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.