School Security Officer

JOB TITLE: Security Officer

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES Under the direction of the School Principal, and the guidance of the Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Federal Programs, the purpose of this position is to promote and sustain the safety of students and employees. The employee assists the administrative staff with enforcing policies and procedures for safe and orderly schools at the building level.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitors assigned areas of the school building during class hours to deter and control undesirable actions.
• Patrols parking lots and school grounds to detect unauthorized persons or vehicles and to identify any suspicious activities.
• Assists administrators and staff in crisis and emergency situations.
• Supervises and directs pupil movement during class changes.
• Identifies, apprehends, and detains unauthorized persons who may be in the building or on school grounds.
• Notifies the administrative staff, police, fire department, or other appropriate authorities of security or emergency situations requiring immediate attention.
• Controls disruptive situations on the premises. Including escorting disruptive students to a designated area.
• Operates hand-held and walk-through metal detectors during the school day.
• Investigates law violations and other disciplinary incidents at school, which may include vandalism, drugs, and theft, and major school disturbances.
• Works cooperatively with school administrators and law enforcement officials in handling serious student offenses and law violations.
• Testifies in court and at School Board Discipline Committee Hearings as required.
• Assists with fire drills and other emergency building evacuation.
• Attends staff development training as directed by the school division.
• Maintains security records, logs, and reports.
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the principal, supervisor, or other appropriate administrator.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Must have at least two (2) years of college education, with some experience or training in a security-related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the noted knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Some related security experience in a public school setting is preferred.
• Completion of some college-level courses in the area of security, crowd management, non-crisis intervention, or law enforcement preferred.
• Must possess knowledge of, and the ability to practically apply, standard security procedures and practices.
• Must possess the ability to acquire knowledge of School Board policies and procedures relating to security functions and Student Rights and Responsibilities.
• Must possess the ability to maintain accurate security records and reports.
• Must possess excellent human relations skills.
• Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license with a good driving record.
• Must complete and maintain the following training and certifications: Virginia School Security Officer Certification (recertification every two (2) years required).
• Must have the use of sensory skills to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public using the telephone and personal contact; frequent sitting, walking standing and grasping, occasional bending, stooping, balancing, crouching, reaching, and repetitive movement.
• The ability to articulate verbally for the delivery of communications and instructions in an emergency situation.
• The physical agility and strength to apprehend and detain trespassers or to separate individuals in a fight; visual acuity necessary to observe and monitor student movement.
• Ability to withstand moderate exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures and hazards such as moving vehicles and/or loud noises.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and over 50 pounds rarely.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Required: A high school graduate or someone who has obtained a General Educational Development (GED) credential.
Preferred: Two years of college with course work in law enforcement and experience in law enforcement or security field,
A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.