Court Deputy (D)

Duties & Responsibilities

Note: Depending on assigned responsibilities, employees may perform some or all of the duties below.

• Provide security related to judicial proceedings, respond to emergency situations, and carry out lawful orders as directed by a judge within the assigned to courtrooms and adjacent areas to maintain a safe and secure environment.

• Maintain continuous surveillance of the courtroom during court sessions.

• Inspect courtrooms and conduct courtroom searches before and after each court session.

• Interact, answer questions, and communicate with a wide variety of people and agencies (e.g., general public, attorneys, law enforcement, court clerks, media, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Corrections, families, juries, victims, witnesses).

• Maintain proficiency and qualification with weapons that may be used in the work environment.

• Monitor radio communications.

• Resolve and/or diffuse conflicts between various parties in the courtrooms, waiting areas, and other facilities.

• Maintain a professional demeanor.

• Monitor evidence in the courtroom.

• Assist with inmate transport and movement and escort inmates.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of modern inmate care, custody, and control, and related state, federal, and department laws, rules, regulations, standards, and policies governing the operation of detention facilities and courtrooms if detention certified.

• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal laws governing the criminal justice system.

• Working knowledge of first-aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) principles.

• Some knowledge of crowd control defense and restraint tactics and communication procedures.

• Some knowledge of behavior patterns, legal rights, discipline protocols, and grievance procedures of inmates.

• Skill in administering CPR and first aid.

• Ability to pay close attention to detail.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with diverse populations.

• Ability to detect potentially adverse or unsafe situations and react according to department policy.

• Ability to physically handle and control prisoners resisting detention.

• Ability to use a two-way radio.

• Ability to properly use various restraining devices.

• Ability to work effectively with others.

• Ability and willingness to use weapons and to properly maintain them.

• Ability to meet specific physical requirements as may be established by competent authority.

Working Conditions

• Working within and around court complexes/courtrooms.

• A combination of remaining in a stationary position/traversing distances to secure the court complexes/courtrooms during shift hours.

• Required to wear a Sheriff’s Office provided uniform.

Minimum Education & Experience

• Former certified detention deputy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) with a minimum of 10 years experience who left in good standing.

• Possession of a current certification by the State of Florida as a corrections officer.

Required Pre-Employment Testing

• Successful completion of the standard HCSO Physical Abilities Assessment (PAA).

Note on the PAA: The course consists of (1) a 130-foot run to scale a 4-foot high stationary, solid wall; (2) a 100-foot run to a cone with another 40-foot run to a stair to complete a 70-step stair climb (1 step = 1st foot up, 2nd foot up, 1st foot down, 2nd foot down); (3) a 100-foot run to climb through a 3-foot high window; (4) a 50-foot run to navigate through cones in a serpentine manner, keeping cones on left or right as indicated on the cone; (5) a 20-foot movement (e.g., push, pull, drag, walk) of a 180-pound sled back and forth 5 times for a total of 100 feet; and (6) a 20-foot drag of a 160-pound dummy. Candidates must complete the course in 5:48 minutes or less in the proper attire (i.e., t-shirt, cargo pants, boots).

Additional Job Requirements

• Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required.

• Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment. Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification.

• No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck. Tattoos determined to take away from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering.

• No illegal drug sale within lifetime.

• No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months.

• No felony convictions within lifetime.

• No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.

• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.

• Successful completion of a background investigation including criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; polygraph; medical evaluation; and drug screening.

• Live within Hillsborough County or within Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter County as long as the residence is located within the 60-mile parameter of Falkenburg Road Jail at the time of appointment/employment (certified only).

• In the event of an emergency or disaster, may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by management chain, Division/District Commander, or the Sheriff (or their designee). Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.

The duties and responsibilities on this job description represent the essential functions that an employee must be able to satisfactorily perform with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations shall be made upon request to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue agency hardship. The Sheriff’s Office retains the right to change or assign other duties to this job as necessary.