Benton District Court Bailiff

2026 Saline County

Benton District Court Bailiff

Job Description

Exempt:                                 No

Department:                          Saline County Courthouse Security

Reports To:                            Chief /Deputy Chief

Location:                            Benton District Court

Safety Sensitive:                    This position is designated as safety/security sensitive and is subject to pre-employment, reasonable suspicion and random drug and alcohol screening.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

A Circuit/District Court Bailiff means an individual who is certified in the State of Arkansas as a Law Enforcement Officer.  They will be assigned the duty of providing security or security related services at the request of an appellate court, circuit court, or district court in this state.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs will be present in their respective courts when court is in session as required by Arkansas Law. The supervision and maintenance of order in the respective courtrooms or courthouse is essential. Bailiffs will inspect courtrooms for security and cleanliness before court sessions begin, and also check that courtrooms have sufficient light, heat, and ventilation.


2. It is the duty of the Circuit/District Court Bailiff to call the court to order and announce the entry of the Judge. During court sessions, the Bailiff will call defendants and witnesses to the stand, and may swear them in before they testify. When necessary, Bailiffs will warn persons who are disturbing court procedures, and may physically remove unruly persons from courtrooms and the courthouse.


3. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs are responsible for providing security for individuals involved in court proceedings, to include attorneys, parties, witnesses, court staff and all others present during proceedings.


4. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs are responsible for the security of juries throughout court trials. They must prevent jurors from talking about a trial with the public. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs will escort juries between courtrooms and jury rooms as well as stand guard outside the jury rooms. In addition, Circuit/District Court Bailiffs will attend to the jurors' needs, such as relaying their requests or questions to the judges, and maintain contact with the Circuit Clerk's Office throughout the trial to relay any needs of the jurors to the appropriate    staff.


5. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs will assist and backup Court Security Officers that are providing security for the Courthouse, Complex Building/Tax Collectors Office, Division 4/Public Defender's office, Bryant District Court and Benton District Court and any other locations within the County deemed necessary by the Circuit Judges, County Judge or Chief of Police.


6. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs will assist and backup Court Security Officers by working entry door metal detectors, scanning visitors for weapons including guns, knives, pepper spray and any other additional items which the officer may feel could be a danger to another person. While maintaining the security at these locations Bailiffs will also check for contraband and illegal items that people may be carrying. Officers will follow policy and Arkansas Law with respect to seizing these items and charging the person with the appropriate crime.


7. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs will assist and backup Court Security Officers when responding to duress alarms. Bailiffs and Officers will maintain radio communication with other responding officers to effectively address the situation. All Officers/Bailiffs involved will complete detailed reports of all incidents involving alarms and provide those reports to the Chief/Deputy Chief for review.


8. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs will be Certified Law Enforcement Officers by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. As such Officers will be required to qualify with and carry the agency issued handgun. Officers will also be required to complete 24 hours of training each year to include racial profiling, duty to intervene and any other training deemed necessary by the Chief/Deputy Chief.


9. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs work under the supervision of the circuit Judges as assigned by the Chief/Deputy Chief and will perform any court related errands or tasks that are required. Upon the request of judges, Circuit/District Court Bailiffs may summon attorneys to the judge's chambers, and deliver court files, and law books to judges or other court personnel as requested.


10. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs with the assistance of the Saline County Sheriff's Office transport section will maintain control and security of all inmates that are present in the courthouse for any reason.


11. Circuit/District Court Bailiffs shall perform any other related duties as required or assigned to include other incidental duties at the direction of the respective judges, including but not limited to: Conducting a courthouse security assessment with recommendations for improvements; Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures for courthouse personnel in the event of fire, prisoner escape, natural disasters, hostage situation, medical emergency, utility failure, and bomb threats.


12. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school or GED, plus specialized schooling and/or on the job education in a specific skill area; e.g., law enforcement, etc., plus 2 years related experience and/or training, and 12 to 18 months related management experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Arkansas for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.   Provide documents that establish identity and employment eligibility.

Must be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training under the laws and regulations of this state.  If the applicant isn't a certified law enforcement officer at the time of hiring, then he/she shall complete the law enforcement certification requirement within nine (9) months of beginning his/her term of service as a Circuit/ District Court Bailiff. Per Commission rules, if a candidate fails any portion of the training requirements, they are ineligible to work in Law Enforcement for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of failure.

A Circuit/ District Court Bailiff shall maintain the law enforcement certification during the term of his/her service as a court security officer.

A Circuit/ District Court Bailiff shall complete any additional training programs for court security officers approved by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Law Enforcement Certification is strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Outside or inside working environment, wherein there are potentially hazardous working conditions and life-threatening situations exist (dangerous people) part of the time.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

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

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities 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 and expectations.

Moderate diversity, moderately physical. Work activities which allow for a moderate amount of diversity in the performance of tasks which requires somewhat diversified physical demands of the employee.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to stand, walk; and frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms; occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds; regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; and depth perception.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Must be able to meet the standards required for a Law Enforcement Officer in the state of Arkansas. Must be able to use and carry a handgun and other weapons competently.  The position may involve regular and irregular hours needed to perform related duties. Work hours may be extended in the event of emergency, disaster, manpower shortage, workload, or work-in-progress; possess knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of law enforcement; knowledge of the criminal justice system; knowledge of the principles of self-defense; ability to develop and maintain an effective professional work relationship; ability to apply safety and security precautions and restrain clients when necessary; ability to make judgments with minimal or no consultation.

The duties listed above are intended only to show the various types of duties that will be performed.  The omission of a specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 

All positions within the Saline County Court Security Department are assigned by the Chief and/or the Deputy Chief and are subject to be changed when deemed in the best interest of the office's operation.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Saline County and the employee and is subject to change by the employer if the need of the employer and requirements of the job change.

BAILIFF/SECURITY

• Starting rate of $40,308 annually for a new hire.


• Promotional rate of $44,787 annually for an established employee (an individual who has been a full-time Saline County employee for more than 90 days)

• This position works Monday/Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM with paid holiday’s office, dependent up workload and training events.

• This is a “safety sensitive” position as defined by Act 593 of 2017. An essential job function is the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.

• Bilingual pay is available once proficiency has been established.


• Group health, dental and life insurance is paid by the County for the employee’s coverage provided the employee obtains a wellness check within designated time frame. 


• For employee retirement, the County contributes 15.32% per pay period of the employee’s gross towards the employee’s retirement through the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System.

SALINE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER