Departmental Mission Statement: The mission of the Massachusetts Trial Court Security Department is to provide safety and security for all those who work in or come to our courthouses. The Security Department seeks to ensure a safe and secure environment in which to conduct court business while maintaining professionalism, order, and decorum in the courts. Using a comprehensive training regimen, coupled with the implementation of state-of-the-art security system technologies, the department strives to ensure public safety, access to justice, and the highest customer service in the courts of Commonwealth. The Security Department is committed to employing a high quality workforce to meet the diverse needs of those who utilize the courts.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/trial-court-security-department

Notes: This posting will be used to fill Associate Court Officer positions statewide. Priority will be given to the locations with the most critical need. Currently the counties with the greatest need are Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, the Cape and Islands.

Position Summary: The Associate Court Officer (ACO) is a front line security officer who is primarily responsible for access control and perimeter security in the courts across Massachusetts. The Associate Court Officer protects and safeguards court grounds, buildings, employees, public, and visitors that work in and utilize state courthouses. The Associate Court Officer serves as the first line of defense for all Massachusetts Trial Court courthouses and is a member of an integrated security team. The Associate Court Officer works with fellow ACOs, court officers, and the Security Department management team to identify and address security concerns, manage medical emergencies, and maintain logs and records to ensure the safety and security of all Massachusetts Trial Court facilities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Receives on-site supervision from the Chief Court Officer or other Security Department designee. Reasonable judgment is required.

Supervision Received:

Duties: Protects and safeguards Trial Court buildings, grounds, courthouse staff, and courthouse visitors;

Provides a visual security presence at court entrances/security screening stations and throughout the building;

Screens persons who wish to enter court buildings for weapons and other items of contraband;

Operates metal detectors and x-ray machines to perform the screening functions;

Patrols assigned areas, making periodic rounds and security checks of court buildings and grounds;

Prepares and submits reports on the occurrence of fires, disturbances and accidents;

Takes steps to effectively control emergency situations by summoning assistance, managing traffic in the court house, and participating in searches of the court premises;

Assists in building evacuations, re-entry procedures, and crowd control as appropriate;

Maintains security logs and performs equipment checks as directed;

Assists in medical emergencies;

Monitors CCTV cameras to ensure safety of the public, court employees, and prisoners;

Attends all associate court officer training programs required by the Trial Court and must successfully pass all training requirements;

Demonstrates an understanding of the Associate Court Officer Policies and Procedures Manual and other Massachusetts Trial Court policies;

Complies with all Trial Court policies, Security Department policies and procedures, and all state and federal laws;

May be assigned by the Security Department to perform associate court officer duties throughout the various Departments and Divisions of the Trial Court;

Performs other related duties as required.