Description
MASSACHUSETTS TRIAL COURT
Invites registrants for the:
SECURITY DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONAL EXAM
FOR THE POSITION OF
ASSISTANT CHIEF COURT OFFICER
EXAM INFORMATION
OPENING REGISTRATION DATE: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
LAST DAY OF REGISTRATION: 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026
Exam Date: 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2027
Exam Fee: $50
Exam Location: Norwood Conference Center at Four Points by Sheraton, 1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike, Norwood, MA
Study Guide: After registration closes, all registered candidates will receive a study guide and a list of the source documents from which the job knowledge questions will be developed.
Please note: The Trial Court reserves the right to adjust the exam date and/or location if necessary. Registered exam candidates will be notified by email of any changes.
DESCRIPTION:
This exam is open to current Court Officers and is being administered to comply with state law, which mandates passing this exam in order to be eligible for promotion to the position of Assistant Chief Court Officer (ACCO). Except for individuals who hold a valid passing result from the June 2025 ACCO Exam, Court Officers who do not take and pass the January 2027 ACCO Exam will not become eligible for ACCO promotion until they achieve a passing result on a future ACCO exam.
Please Note: Individuals who successfully passed the June 2025 Assistant Chief Court Officer Exam are NOT required to take this exam. Passing results from ACCO exams administered before June 2025 have expired and are no longer being used to establish eligibility for promotion.
Following the January 2027 exam, the next written exam is planned to be administered in approximately 18 months. Any Cour Officer employee interested in becoming an ACCO within the next 18 months is encouraged to register for this exam. Current ACCOs do not need to take the exam in order to be considered for ACCO positions at other courts.
The exam will be divided into two (2) sections, one section with multiple-choice job knowledge questions and one section of multiple-choice job skills and abilities questions.
Passing the Assistant Chief Court Officer Promotional Exam alone does not guarantee you will receive an interview. Candidates who apply to a job posting for ACCO after passing this exam must also meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the job to be considered for appointment
PLEASE REVIEW the position summary and position requirements below before you consider registering for this Assistant Chief Court Officer Promotional Exam.
ASSISTANT CHIEF COURT OFFICER POSITION SUMMARY:
Assists the Chief Court Officer in supervising, assigning and effectively utilizing Court Officers and security as needed at the Court facility to protect court users and staff. Ensures that proper policies and procedures are followed by court staff and court users. Identifies and addresses security concerns and responds to all disturbances and emergencies, exercising arrest powers and providing limited medical assistance as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manages security for courthouses;
- Supervises and assigns Associate Court Officers and Court Officers to ensure proper coverage on a daily basis;
- Monitors operations of technical security systems. Generates work orders for any malfunction or outages to the Judicial Information Security Infrastructure Group (SIG);
- Performs police duties in accordance with statutory police powers in or about the areas of the court to which they have been assigned;
- Oversees access control and employee identification cards;
- Implements security plans to ensure safety of the assigned courts;
- Provides detainee and lock-up management;
- Assists implementation of training programs for assigned officers;
- Compiles, maintains and submits monthly total activity logs to the Regional Director’s Office;
- Provides staff meetings to keep employees informed of upcoming events and trainings;
- Approves officer time and completes payroll tasks; answers daily emails;
- Completes monthly building, AED, OC, Narcan and duress alarm checks;
- Attends management meetings with department heads to discuss court-related issues;
- Acts as the Chief Court Officer in his/her absence;
- Coordinates with Court Officer Training Specialist (COTS) to ensure all officers assigned are scheduled for in-service trainings and certifications are up to date;
- Schedules evacuation drills;
- Assists security screening at the front door as needed;
- Maintains communication with justice(s), court administrative officials, key court personnel, county and local government officials, and members of the bar relative to court officer and other security related matters;
- Participates in updating and refining safety and security plans for courthouses under his/her jurisdiction;
- Issues written warnings to Court Officers as necessary in consultation with the Chief Court Officer for conduct violations; and
- Performs other duties as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the direction of the Chief Court Officer or their designee.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position serves as a supervisor to others.
IMPACT OF ACTIONS/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT
This position operates under general direction with long-term impact on the organization.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments and outdoor environments.
Work requires frequent exposure to individuals who are hostile or irate and individuals with known violent backgrounds.
Travel and after hour work may be required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position requires heavy work:
Exerting up to one hundred (100) pounds of force occasionally, up to fifty (50) pounds of force frequently, and/or up to twenty (20) pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Associate degree and five (5) years of court officer experience;
- Seven (7) years of court officer experience without a degree;
- Certified and up to date with all Security training requirements;
- Equivalent combinations of higher education and court officer experience will be considered for meeting minimum qualifications.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- Trial Court Policy and procedures;
- Court Officer policy and procedures;
- Union collection bargaining agreement;
- Enforcement jurisdictions;
- Building layouts;
- Building evacuation;
- Active shooter situations.
Skill in:
- Verbal and written communication;
- De-escalation;
- Organization and prioritization;
- Supervision;
- Time management;
- Multitasking;
- Observation;
- Emergency Medical First
Responder.
Ability to:
- Stay mission focused;
- Apply skills in stressful environment;
- Implement changes;
- Manage prisoners in court.
ADDITIONAL EXAM INFORMATION
Fee Waiver: The exam fee may be waived for registrants
receiving certain state or federal public assistance or unemployment insurance.
Please contact ex***@**********ma.us for a fee waiver form. Follow the instructions on the form to ensure proper submission, including all required supporting documentation.
All completed fee waiver forms must be emailed to ex***@**********ma.us no later than Friday, October 16, 2026, to allow time for processing.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Reasonable Exam Accommodations: The Massachusetts Trial Court is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity in state employment. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities.
If you require an accommodation for the exam, please complete the following steps:
- Register for the exam. You must register before submitting an accommodation request.
- Request and complete the Exam Accommodation Form. Accommodation request forms can be requested from ex***@**********ma.us. The form should be submitted by Monday, October 19, 2026, to allow sufficient time for processing.
- Participate in an interactive dialogue. After receiving your form, a member of the Human Resources Department will contact you to discuss your request.
- Provide supporting documentation, as needed. Be prepared to submit a letter from a qualified professional that explains the need for the requested accommodation and identifies the specific testing accommodation being recommended.
The completed Exam Accommodation Form and any supporting documentation requested by Human Resources should be submitted to ex***@**********ma.us by Monday, October 19, 2026. Requests received after that date will be reviewed individually; however, the Trial Court may not be able to arrange an approved accommodation by the exam date.
Current Military Personnel: All military personnel who are unable to attend the exam due to military service on the scheduled date must:
- Register for the exam
- Pay the processing fee, or request a fee waiver
- Submit a written request for a makeup exam, along with a copy of your military orders.
Military-related requests must be emailed to ex***@**********ma.us by the registration deadline, Monday, October 19, 2026.
When submitting your request, please provide your daytime base phone number and, if possible, the name and phone number of a friend or family member who can serve as an alternate contact.
Makeup Exam: If you have registered for the exam and experience an emergency or unforeseen hardship you may request a makeup exam by submitting a written request with verifiable documentation to ex***@**********ma.us. All requests must be submitted within two business days of the scheduled exam date. The Trial Court reserves the right to approve or deny your request and may require an additional exam processing fee upon arrival.
Identification at the Exam Site: At the exam site, registrants must present a current and valid government photo identification with signature (e.g., driver’s license, passport, military ID, Trial Court ID).
Change of Personal Information: Registrants are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information (e.g., address, email, phone number) with the Trial Court. All exam and job posting related communications will be sent to the email address used during registration. If your contact information changes, notify ex***@**********ma.us promptly. Failure to maintain current information may result in missed communications or employment opportunities.
Refunds: There will be NO REFUND of the exam fee unless the exam is cancelled by the Trial Court.
Exam Registration and Payment Information:
Please note that all registrations must be submitted by the posted deadline, along with the exam fee. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete. Your registration is not final until you have received this confirmation email. All further exam details will be sent to you via email, so be sure to check the email address you registered with regularly. Don’t forget to check your junk or spam folder if you don’t see emails in your inbox.
Your $50 exam fee must be paid by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026. After registration closes, you will receive an email with important details, including the exam date, time, location, and other essential information.
Contact Information:
The Office of Court Management is administering this promotional exam. For additional information or questions regarding the exam process, please contact the office using the information below.
Office of Court Management
Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., except holidays.
Email: ex***@**********ma.us
Telephone Number: 617-742-8575
