Job Description

Courtroom Assistant

Provides assistance to the judges, court employees, defendants, and other litigants in the courtroom by enforcing courtroom rules and procedures, escorting individuals, and maintaining the daily flow of the court. This is a part-time benefited position working out of the Hudsonville Court House at 3100 Port Sheldon St, Hudsonville, MI 49426. Typical working hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Opens the courtroom and ensures its readiness for court proceedings and secures courtroom at the end of the day.
2. Directs parties to the proper area and provides schedule and procedural information to attorneys, litigants, jurors and others.
3. Assists parties to matters before the court and visitors to court premises, explaining court policy and procedures and directing them to appropriate locations, offices and/or court staff.
4. Calls cases into court and opens court by announcing entrance of the judge.
5. Calls witnesses, administers oaths; escorts witnesses to and from the courtroom and sequesters them as necessary.
6. Calls and administers oaths to jurors; escorts jurors to and from the courtroom and sequesters them as necessary.
7. Assists the judge in maintaining order in the courtroom.
8. Monitors individuals in the courtroom while court is in session and notifies Sheriff's Department if additional security is needed.
9. Escorts defendants and other litigants to and from the courtroom and assists them in completing a variety of forms.
10. Escorts sentenced offenders and other litigants to the County Clerk's Office to ensure proper and necessary paperwork is completed, to pay fines, fees, costs and other court-ordered assessments; and/or to the Probation Office to complete required probation intake forms.
11. Provides general assistance to the judge and court recorders in the courtroom.
12. Performs related functions as assigned by the Chief Clerk or judge.

Required Education, Training and Experience

High school diploma or GED combined with some post-secondary training in law enforcement, security services, criminal justice, legal services or related field and two years of progressively responsible experience in court security services or a court administrate or legal practice office position or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

1. Basic knowledge of Michigan Court Rules.
2. Good interpersonal skills and knowledge of practical conflict resolution.
3. Satisfactory work record and personal history.
4. Working knowledge of security practices and procedures.
5. Ability to react quickly, calmly, and effectively in emergencies.
6. Working knowledge of bloodborne pathogens protocols.
7. Accurate data entry skills.
8. Ability to interact positively and professionally with judges, other officers of the court, prosecutors, attorneys, victims, witnesses, the general public and an inmate population from diverse cultural backgrounds and with varying levels of social and communication skills.

Verbal and/or reading comprehension of Spanish, Lao, Cambodian or other languages spoken by minority populations within the Ottawa County and West Michigan communities, preferred.

1. Must possess sufficient strength, manual dexterity and mobility to restrain or subdue parties to matters and members of the courtroom audience and/or remove them involuntarily from any location within the courthouse.
2. Must have sufficient unassisted mobility to access all areas of the courthouse.
3. Must be able to stand and/or walk for the entire length of shift in order to observe parties to court proceedings, courtroom audiences, and members of the public in court premises.
4. Must possess sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to observe visitors to the courthouse.
5. Must be able to lift objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
6. Must have hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the phone.
7. Must be able to enter and retrieve information on the computer.

Work is performed in proximity to defendants and may entail exposure to physically aggressive and/or violent defendants, their family members and friends, and/or family members and friends of victims and other members of courtroom audiences.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Benefits

This position is benefited and is in the District Court-Ottawa County Employees Association bargaining unit. Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Benefits Summary for more information. The current District Court-Ottawa County Employees Association collective bargaining agreement can be viewed here. Click here for the pay scale. **Part-time benefitted positions will recieve prorated benefits.

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