This is court enforcement work servicing legal documents and executing a wide variety of civil and criminal court orders. Employees in this class are frequently required to work irregular hours to serve legal papers, make arrests, and perform extraditions. The ability to deal firmly and courteously with hostile members of the public is of major significance to the work.

Work is performed under the supervision of a higher level deputy sheriff. Assignments require evaluative thinking and are carried out in accordance with standard departmental practices and general work instructions. Employees in this class have controlling responsibility for serving and executing court orders in an assigned sector of a district. Work involves environmental conditions which can be only partially controlled and light physical effort.

• Serves subpoenas, writs, summonses and other legal documents on defendants, their attorneys or other legally recognized representatives in an assigned sector of the city; serves jury summonses to potential jurors; serves bench warrants by arresting named defendants.
• Performs investigations to locate defendants who have moved or are attempting to evade service by questioning neighbors, managers of apartment buildings, store owners, district policemen, and others.
• Makes levies on personal property against which a judgment has been obtained; posts notices for sheriff's sales of real or personal property; acts as auctioneer and sells personal property levied upon to satisfy a judgement; calls off sales if bids are unconscionable.
• Serves court orders directing evictions or seizure of personal property; takes inventory of goods removed; provides security to all parties.
• Enforces injunctions and other court orders at demonstrations and strikes; arrests violators; records identities of persons denied entrance.
• Transports prisoners from other counties or states who are wanted for trial in Philadelphia, or Philadelphia prisoners who are wanted for trial in other jurisdictions.
• Contacts by mail or telephone, defendants, plaintiffs, their attorneys and others on matters affecting service and execution of legal papers.
• Maintains log books and records of activities.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the rules and regulations concerning the transportation and custody of prisoners.
• the regulations concerning the behavior of prisoners during court sessions.
• the forms and procedures applicable to the appearance of prisoners in court.
• and proficiency in the care and use of firearms.
• the methods and techniques of field investigations, particularly as they apply to the service of legal instruments.
• the forms and procedures applicable to the service of legal instruments.
• the legal requirements for serving and enforcing court orders.

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.
• face situations firmly, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.
• act quickly and calmly in an emergency.

EDUCATION:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

• Two years of experience in court security or law enforcement work.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

• Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of appointment as a Deputy Sheriff.

• Ability to obtain, or possession of, an automobile in good operating condition if required by job assignment.

PAY RANGE: 51
Class Established: 8/1953

Latest Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 5/1992 ; Ad Board - 8/1992

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