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Bailiffs

In the Bailiffs occupation, workers maintain order in courts of law. A regular part of the work is to screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband. With a code of RCE, this is mostly a job for people drawn to hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Conventional interests also help, rated 4.5 out of 7. Plan on one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree; O*NET labels this medium preparation. Strength in social perceptiveness, speaking, and monitoring helps most here. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Maintain order in courts of law.

Main tasks

  • Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
  • Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
  • Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
  • Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
  • Guard lodging of sequestered jury.
  • Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.

Skills

  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Active Listening
  • Time Management

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on social perceptiveness and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCE takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Bailiff
  • Court Bailiff
  • Court Constable
  • Court Deputy
  • Court Officer

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.