Courthouse Security Deputy at Brazoria County, TX

About the Department

Under general supervision, performs public safety work as a first responder. Work involves the enforcement of criminal laws of the State of Texas, ensuring the overall safety and protection of all employees and visitors to the Brazoria County Courthouse, and ensuring that all activities are conducted in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as rules and regulations outlined in the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office manuals.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills.  This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Carry out the Sheriff’s Mission and Vision and adhere to the Office’s core values; Trust, Service, Community;
• Cultivates high morale and a Team culture;
• Performs all services at a high-level and is customer-service oriented;
• This position is subject to be called to duty in the event of a natural disaster or critical incident;
• Remains proficient in the essential functions of a patrol deputy and performs associated duties as necessary;
• Operates x-ray machines and magnetometers located in main lobby entrances to the courthouse to prevent passage of prohibited articles into the Courthouse;
• Patrols courthouse complex by monitoring inner and outer perimeter of the courthouse buildings through visual and physical inspection, as well as integration of a camera surveillance system to prevent, detect, and suppress crime;
• Responds to calls for service, emergencies, and alarms throughout the entire courthouse complex;
• Assists the County and District Clerks’ Offices in locating parties to a suit by publicly posting tax sales, probate papers, and divorce citations in the courthouse (i.e. “citation by publication”);
• Assists court guards with inmate movements and processing;
• Escorts, directs, and/or manages media personnel who are visiting the courthouse;
• Answers questions and provides information to citizens during their visit to the Courthouse;
• Contacts and directs emergency services personnel during medical or fire emergencies that occur in the Courthouse complex;
• Maintains an accurate log of all County and District Clerk papers received in the courthouse that are to be transported to the Sheriff’s Office;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION, REQUIREMENTS, AND TRAINING: -- the preferred way to obtain the minimum knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position are listed below.  The County reserves the right to allow substitutions in the event that a candidate or incumbent exceeds requirements in one area but may be deficient in another. 

EDUCATION, REQUIREMENTS, & TRAINING GUIDELINES: 

• High School graduate , GED or Equivalent;
• Must be 21 years of age.

 LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Texas Driver’s License;
• Basic TCOLE Peace Officer certification.
• TCOLE 10999 Court Security Officer Certification (within 1 year of appointment);

• County, State, and Federal laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process;
• Court systems and procedures;
• Evidence collection and handling;
• Modern office procedures and equipment;

ABILITIES /SKILLS-

• Safely operate law enforcement vehicles;
• Operating a computer and various software applications;
• Use and care for law enforcement weapons, firearms, and equipment;
• Administer first aid
• Use appropriate physical and defensive tactics;
• Decide the appropriate use of force and use of deadly force;
• Remain calm and make sound decision in stressful or dangerous situations;
• Use initiative, discretion, and decision making within established procedures, guidelines, and rules;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Communicate, both written and oral, to interact with a variety of people, from crime victims to suspects, and to accurately document and report incidents;
• Solve problems by analyzing situations to quickly and draw logical conclusions even in high-pressure or stressful situations;
• Use empathy and interpersonal skills to provide emotional support to victims of crimes, persons in crisis, and to interact with diverse populations;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with judges, managers, supervisors, employees, external public agencies and organizations, attorneys, bonding companies and the general public.

Other Qualifications

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 position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

 Environmental Conditions: Duties and trainings are generally performed within Brazoria County in both indoor and outdoor environments. Occasionally, duties and trainings are performed outside Brazoria County. Exposure to extreme and stressful environmental conditions may include, but not limited to: Natural disasters; Manmade disasters; High-voltage areas; Low-light to no light conditions; Bright light conditions; Confined spaces; 

Physical Demands: Certain physical abilities are required to ensure the essential functions of the position are able to be performed. These abilities may include, but not limited to: Walking, running, standing, sitting, kneeling, bending over for long periods of time; Carry, push, pull, drag, or hold light to medium objects; Maintain rational decision-making abilities in high-stress situations; Engage in high-stress and challenging training scenarios; Speak and hear in order to communicate effectively in person, through telephone, and through emergency radios. 

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.