The bailiff is a part time on call position, Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On rare occasion, bailiffs must be available without notice to stay after hours with deliberating juries. The position is on call to the extent that bailiffs will be notified roughly a week in advance of upcoming jury trials.

Bailiffs are responsible for assisting in the orderly and expeditious dispatch of criminal and civil jury trials. Bailiffs have substantial contact with all parties in the criminal justice system, including defendants, judges, lawyers, corrections staff, and the public.

Bailiffs may participate in the preparation and presentation of jury orientations which includes comfortably communicating juror expectations, court rules, and instructive guidelines before jury pools that may range from 40 to 120 potential jurors

Bailiffs will assist judges in maintaining order and decorum in the courtroom. Bailiffs will maintain court and jury facilities, assist the court and counsel with impaneling the jury, provide the jury escort to and from the courtroom, provide personal service to the jurors during jury sequestration, transmit instructions and exhibits from court to jurors, provide basic administrative support to court administration while the jury is deliberating.

Note: Individuals assigned to this classification work in the capacity of a confidential employee. Any breach of these terms and conditions of employment may result in immediate discipline, up to and including discharge.

The County
Cowlitz County is a great place to live and work. Located along the Columbia River less than an hour from the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Cowlitz County provides an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and easy access to the Arts. The I-5 corridor runs right through Cowlitz County providing quick access to the Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas.

• Ensure the custody and welfare of jurors at all times during trial; advise all potential jurors where to be seated in the courtroom to await jury roll call at the start of a trial; supervise jurors during trial and deliberations until they agree upon their verdict or are discharged by the Court; arrange for beverages and food while in the jury room; communicate with the jurors regarding their needs; must be available without notice to remain after hours with deliberating jurors.
• Judge's liaison between litigants, jurors, attorneys and general public; assemble all necessary parties for scheduled courtroom proceedings.
• Maintain courtroom and department security by identifying conditions which may create opportunities for a security incident; lock and secure the courtroom when court is not in session to assure security.
• Call to order and adjourn court; maintain order, decorum, and judicial process in the courtroom; bailiffs are neither trained to be nor expected to act as security personnel.
• Assist with site viewing / transportation and possible emergency evacuation.
• Handle juror requests within the scope of authority, including the monitoring of telephone calls and all other outside contact of jurors.
• Maintain courtroom and jury facilities (supplies and equipment); assist in courtroom set up activities; set up special equipment needed for trial, provided it does not interfere with responsibilities to the court and jury; assist courtroom clerk in securing exhibits; advise administration to order needed supplies.
• Assist judges and departmental staff in special assignments as directed; may perform additional support functions such as courtroom data entry during criminal dockets, locating and retrieving files, making copies and other related duties as requested by the Court.
• Attend training seminars / courses as required.

• Perform other / related duties as assigned by the Court.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver's license.
• Successfully complete and pass a full criminal justice background check to include a finger-print check.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Exercise good judgment as to when to act independently and when to refer situations to higher authority.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with jurors, attorneys, associates, other county employees, and the general public.

• May require work hours in excess of 7.5 hours per day.
• May require travel for training or other purposes.
• May be exposed to disturbing and sensitive information related to court cases.
• Requires a high level of alertness for all activity going on in the courtroom during proceedings.

No Benefits are allowed for this position.