What are the responsibilities and job description for the 26-27 SY: Part-Time School Climate Officer (K-12) position at Esperanza Academy?
START DATE: August 2026
SCHOOL: Esperanza Academy Charter School
LOCATION: Esperanza Academy Elementary, Middle, and High School Buildings
ABOUT ESPERANZA ACADEMY
Esperanza means hope. Esperanza Academy Charter School (EACS), located in the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia, is dedicated to serving the students within its community. We believe education can be a vehicle for social and economic advancement, especially in historically underserved communities. This core belief drives our relentless pursuit to become the best educational option for all students in the Philadelphia area.
Our proven track record of academic success with historically underserved students sets us apart. The Academy has 11th-grade test scores above the city of Philadelphia average and value-added math and reading proficiency growth is among the highest in Pennsylvania. Students graduate at a rate exceeding 90% and drop out at only 1%. For 9 out of 11 years, the Academy has been awarded a silver or bronze medal rating in the US News ranking of Best High Schools in the country.
In the fall of 2025, we opened a brand-new elementary school building, marking the completion of our expansion to a full K-12 program serving over 2,200 students. This growth will make Esperanza Academy the second-largest single charter school in Philadelphia, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality education to even more students in our city.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Esperanza Academy Charter School is currently seeking School Climate Officers (SCOs) for the 2026–2027 school year to serve in our elementary, middle, or high school buildings. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are passionate about student success, school safety, and fostering positive relationships within a school community.
Reporting directly to both the Director of School Safety and the assigned building administrator, School Climate Officers play a crucial role in maintaining a safe, orderly, and welcoming school environment. SCOs support the school’s mission by ensuring that all students and staff feel secure and respected throughout the school day.
This role is ideal for candidates who are committed to restorative practices, proactive intervention, and culturally responsive engagement. SCOs work closely with school leaders, teachers, students, and families to promote positive behavior, prevent conflict, and respond constructively to student needs. By building meaningful relationships and modeling professionalism, SCOs contribute significantly to the development of a positive school climate where every student can thrive.
We are looking for observant, student-centered team players who can work alongside administration, faculty, and staff to foster a positive school-wide culture.
Key responsibilities include:
- Building Security & Safety:
- Serve as a gatekeeper, monitoring building entrances and exits.
- Greet and check in visitors, verifying identification and following security protocols.
- Monitor and operate CCTV systems and radios to communicate safety-related concerns.
- Assist with fire drills, emergency evacuations, and other safety procedures.
School-Wide Norms & Procedures:
- Enforce school-wide behavioral expectations and redirect students as needed.
- Monitor hallways, stairwells, restrooms, cafeterias, and other common areas.
- Support student arrival, dismissal, and school traffic flow.
- Assist in resolving and de-escalating student conflicts.
- School Culture & Student Support:
- Build positive relationships with students, staff, and families.
- Serve as a role model for student behavior and professionalism.
- Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive school environment.
What you will bring:
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Prior experience in school security, law enforcement, or working with children is preferred.
- Strong communication skills and ability to interact effectively with students and staff.
- Must pass FBI fingerprinting, child abuse clearance, and PA criminal background check.
- CPR/AED and First Aid certification required (or willingness to obtain).
- Spanish fluency is prefered but not required.
FOLLOW US
To learn more about Esperanza Academy, please visit our website at https://www.esperanzaacademycs.org or follow us on our social media accounts. We can be found on Facebook or Instagram.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Esperanza Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Esperanza Academy are based on doing what is best for kids, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.