Court Specialist (County Funded)

• Ensures courtrooms, chambers, and jury rooms are ready for use, including verifying that judge’s equipment is functioning properly for digital court reporting purposes, when needed, as well as ensuring courtrooms and jury rooms are cleared of items left behind by court users and are locked after use. 
• Confirms all parties and support personnel are in attendance. 
• Acts as the virtual court coordinator during virtual court proceedings pursuant to Florida Supreme Court Order AOSC20-106, In Re: Electronic Court Proceeding Standards, (November 20, 2020). This includes managing the virtual waiting room to control attendance and ensure proper decorum, screens waiting room attendees to identify them by name and role in the case, admits authorized attendees, removes unruly attendees and ensures security features are enabled such that unruly attendees do not have access to screen sharing, chat features, or re-entry, and permits access to private conversation rooms to allow attorneys and their clients to discuss privileged matters, sequester witnesses, or hold sidebar discussions. 
• Remains alert to possible disturbances during court sessions and in judicial chambers and contacts appropriate authorities to restrain and/or arrest, when needed. 
• Provides information, answers questions, and resolves issues that arise from judges, attorneys, court officials, jurors, court partners, and the public. 
• Calls witnesses into court for testimony, monitors witnesses to assure they remain outside the courtroom during proceedings and excluding witnesses when rule of sequestration is invoked. 
• Orders files/materials needed for proceedings and organizing same, obtains files for ensuing the daily calendar, collects/compiles photostats, correspondence, and other documents in evidence, and cancels court proceedings as necessary. 
• Assists with duties and responsibilities of judicial assistant including answering telephones, opening mail, maintaining case records or forms, and other administrative tasks as needed. 

• Research inquiries on the computer to obtain docket information.
• Assists with the calendaring of cases.
• Assists in emergency preparedness and coordination.
• Performs related work as required.

• Experience as a peace officer, bailiff, security officer, in military service, or working with the public.
• Announcing judge and calling court to order.
• Ensuring security and maintaining order both during court sessions and in judicial chambers and public areas of the courthouse, remaining alert to possible disturbances, escorting persons out of court upon judge's directive. 
• Calling jury pool to have panels brought to court; contacting jury pool for additional jurors as needed; escorting jurors to jury room during recesses and ensuring juror presence following such recesses. 
• Remaining with impaneled juries outside the jury room and escorting them to lunch or dinner as needed, making arrangements for juror meals and/or hotel accommodations as needed during deliberations. 

• Escorting jurors to type of transportation being used during evening hours or when travel outside the courtroom is necessary for any reason during trials.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience as a peace officer, bailiff, security officer, in military service, or working with the public.
• Experience in a clerical role, specifically dealing with video conferencing and the Microsoft Office suite of software and applications.

• Thorough knowledge of court procedures, legal documents, laws and legal factors pertaining to the court and as they relate to bailiff operations and assignments.
• Knowledge of the organization, functions, responsibilities and procedures of the courts.
• Knowledge of established procedures to conduct judicial proceedings in courtroom and chambers.
• Knowledge of established procedures in the flow of official documents between the Office of the Clerk of the Courts and courtrooms.
• Knowledge of the use of legal instruments and records pertaining to the court of assignment.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, equipment, and systems.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications, which includes, but not limited to software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Zoom.
• Ability to establish rapport with judges, personal staff, court administration, Office of the Clerk of the Courts, law enforcement personnel, and the public.
• Ability to deal with jurors, witnesses, attorneys and the general public with necessary tact and courtesy.
• Ability to organize work, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion concerning confidential information.
• Ability to remain alert and observant with attention to necessary detail during court sessions.
• Ability to maintain composure in the event of courtroom disturbances.
• Ability to react quickly in following judge's directives in emergencies which arise during court sessions.
• Ability to follow all established procedures prior to, during, and following the conclusion of court sessions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to perform tasks with little or no supervision.
• Ability to work extended hours as the occasion demands.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures as a representative of the court system.

Working Conditions:

• Moderate noise; business office setting.

Physical Demands:

• Work involves a significant amount of standing, walking, sitting, talking, listening, and reaching with hands and arms; must be able to transfer up to 10 pounds.

Salary : $37,767