Security Officer II – Armed

ABOUT FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT

The Franklin County Municipal Court 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 Supervisors, Administrative Security Supervisor, Control Room Supervisor and 19 security officers on the day shift, 1 security officer one second shift plus 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 and weekends.

Court Security Officers are responsible for all security aspects of a courthouse, including ensuring that the judges and judicial staff, court employees and general public visiting the courthouse are safe. Officers also ensure that no weapons are brought into the courthouse and that the staff and public complies with the Court’s Security and Emergency Response

Procedures. Other job duties include watching entrances and exits, working at screening stations and roaming the courthouse hallways to check for suspicious activity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES OF THE POSITION

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: Provide protection for 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 apprehension or detention if necessary. Prepare and log incident reports, including security breaches, accidents, and other incidents. Perform routine security tests of equipment and inspect courtrooms for explosives, safety issues, or unauthorized persons.

Patrol and Safety Enforcement: Conduct security patrols, securing doors and monitoring hallways, restrooms, and courtrooms. Maintain compliance with court safety and security procedures. Support law enforcement officers during arrests or courtroom 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 to 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.

Firearm Qualification: Successfully qualify with an approved firearm annually at an OPOTA approved Firearms range. Provide personal duty weapon and approved ammunition. Proficient in intermediate weapons approved by the Director of Security.

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.

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 excellent attendance record. Patience, objectivity, sound judgment, and adaptability under stress.

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 status. Pass annual online and/ or in-person training courses as ordered by the Director of Security.

Authority and Reassignment: Armed Security Officer status subject to approval by the Judicial Security Committee. The Director of Security and Judicial Security Committee may reassign Armed Security Officer II to Unarmed Security 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.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

This position requires significant interaction with the public and 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 will 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 and 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.