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 continuously monitor the security systems within the States and Royal Court Building complex, ensuring the safety and security of all occupants and assets. This includes regularly reviewing security arrangements, coordinating with the Chief Usher, and liaising with relevant external agencies and departments to maintain the highest standards of protection. The role is responsible for safeguarding building occupants—including the Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, Lieutenant Governor, Appeal Court Judges, Commissioners, Jurats, Crown Officers, States Members, the Greffier of the States, Judicial Greffier, and visiting dignitaries—and for minimising the risk of security breaches, threats, or other incidents affecting the building and its operations.

General

• Monitor and support compliance with health and safety requirements throughout the States Building, ensuring adherence to the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 and recommending improvements where appropriate.
• Report maintenance and engineering issues to Jersey Property Holdings and the Chief Usher, oversee contractors working on site, and maintain accurate records of all maintenance requests and remedial works. Act as a designated key holder outside normal working hours, in the absence of the Chief Usher, to ensure the ongoing safety and security of the building.
• Maintain records of accidents, incidents and near misses, ensuring that the Chief Usher is kept fully informed and that appropriate follow-up action is taken.
• Support the planning and delivery of fire evacuation drills and emergency response procedures, including bomb threat evacuations. Undertake designated responsibilities during emergencies and liaise with the emergency services as required.
• Carry out a range of operational and housekeeping duties, including arranging weekly fire alarm testing, flying flags on official occasions and as directed by the Bailiff, delivering mail to the Bailiff's Chambers and Judicial Greffe, and configuring the Old Library for use as either a Royal Court or function room.
• Conduct pre-trial visits and briefings for Witness and Victim Support personnel, and provide practical assistance to vulnerable victims and witnesses attending Jury and Jurat trials to help ensure their welfare and participation in the judicial process.

Ceremonial

• Under the direction of the Chief Usher, assist with the delivery of official and ceremonial engagements including Royal Visits, Ambassadorial Visits, Visites Royales, Assise d'Héritage and other high-profile occasions. Ensure that all logistical, ceremonial and operational arrangements are delivered to the highest standard, liaising with internal stakeholders and external partners as required.

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 current first aid qualification is desirable.

Person specification

This role occupies a 'unique' position within the States and Royal Court Building. The postholder plays a key role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of Court, States Assembly, ceremonial and civic activities. Failure to deliver the required level of service could result in operational disruption, delays to proceedings, and potential reputational damage to the organisation.

The Bailiff’s Chambers is a small, fast-paced and highly visible department. As such, the role requires a flexible and multi-skilled individual who can adapt to a diverse range of responsibilities in support of the Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff and their offices, while helping to deliver a high-quality service to colleagues, stakeholders and members of the public.

For a full job description, please follow the link here: Full Job Description