Job Overview

Applications are invited for the role of Royal Court / States Usher, to be based in the States and Royal Court Building, Royal Square.

Job Purpose

To provide a unique and efficient usher service for the occupants and contents of the States and Royal Court Building, Royal Square and to ensure the safety and security of the working environment of the States and Royal Court in compliance with established safety, security and work procedures.

Job Specific Outcomes 1 of 2

Usher duties -

• To prepare and assist with various duties associated with the operation of the States Assembly, the Royal Court and Court of Appeal.

Security duties -

• To continually monitor the building’s security system, evaluate and update activities within the building through management meeting’s with the Chief Usher and liaison with relevant external agencies and departments to guarantee the highest level of protection for the occupants (including the Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, Lieutenant Governor, Appeal Court Judges, Commissioners, Jurats, H.M. Attorney General, H.M. Solicitor General, States Members, Greffier of the States, Judicial Greffier and any other visiting dignitaries) and contents of the building, so as to minimise the risk of any breach of security or threat within the States and Royal Court Building complex.

General -

• Monitor safety procedures for the States Building to ensure the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 are met and recommend changes as appropriate.
• Report maintenance and engineering faults to Jersey Property Holdings and the Chief Usher as well as oversee contractors when on site, keeping a log of all calls made, and to be available as a key holder outside of normal working hours in the absence of the Chief Usher for the safety and security of the building.
• Record accidents and near misses and ensure the Chief Usher is updated.
• In the absence of the Chief Usher/Security Manager, supervise fire evacuation drills and bomb threat evacuation procedures, carrying out specific functions as instructed by the Chief Officer and liaising with the emergency services in the event of an emergency.
• Carry out a range of housekeeping duties including: arranging for the testing of fire alarms weekly, flying of flags as directed by the Bailiff and on official flag days, delivering mail to the Bailiff or Judicial Greffe as appropriate and converting the Old Library to/from Royal Court to function room.
• To conduct pre-trial visits and briefing for members of Witness/Victim Support services, also assisting vulnerable victims/witnesses during an Assize or Jurat trial.

General skills / attributes

The successful candidate should ideally possess the following attributes –

•            ability to operate effectively as part of a small team

•            good communication skills and basic keyboard skills

•            an ability to deal firmly and courteously with a broad cross section of people

•            an ability to undertake physical tasks on a daily basis

•            an understanding of the functions of the States Assembly and Royal Court

•            experience in a ceremonial, ex-uniformed or armed services background is desirable, but not essential

•            a first aid qualification would be desirable.

Person specification

The post has a “unique” and important co-ordinating role in the States/Royal Court Building. Failure to provide the service required could lead to serious reputational implications and operational delays particularly in the areas of Court, States Assembly, and on Ceremonial / Civic occasions.

The Bailiff’s Chambers is a small but very busy department; it requires multi-skilled staff to deal with the diversity of roles required to support the office of Bailiff and Deputy Bailiff and the services provided to the public.