Director of School Safety - (SSO)

POSITION TITLE: Director of School Safety - (SSO)

DEPARTMENT: School Safety

REPORTS TO: Assistant Superintendent of Operations

FLSA STATUS: Exempt-Professional

POSITION SCHEDULE: Exempt Professional - Range: $73,500 - $97,800

SALARY SCHEDULE: 260 days/12 months

Position Summary

The Director of School Safety provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for all district-wide safety, security, emergency preparedness, crisis response, and operational safety initiatives throughout the Hillsboro R-3 School District. The Director collaborates with district administrators, School Safety Officers, local law enforcement, emergency responders, staff, students, and community stakeholders to ensure safe, secure, and supportive learning environments district-wide.

The Director of School Safety leads the implementation and continuous improvement of district safety plans, emergency preparedness procedures, behavioral response protocols, security infrastructure, and operational safety coordination in alignment with the District Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). This position also supervises School Safety Officers and coordinates district-wide safety training, emergency response procedures, visitor management systems, communication systems, and safety compliance.

The Director of School Safety maintains a primary assignment at Hillsboro High School while also providing district-wide coordination, operational oversight, safety support, emergency response leadership, and building support across all district attendance centers. Office and workspace assignments will be determined by district administration based upon operational needs and facility availability.

The Director of School Safety serves as the district lead coordinator for all safety training, emergency preparedness, crisis response planning, required district safety drills, and staff safety presentations. This position is responsible for coordinating and facilitating district-wide safety training initiatives for staff and students while ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal school safety requirements.

This position includes the lawful carrying of a firearm in accordance with Missouri law, Board policy, and district safety procedures.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

District Safety Leadership

• Develop, implement, monitor, and annually review district-wide safety and emergency response plans.
• Coordinate district crisis management, emergency operations, reunification, evacuation, lockdown, shelter-in-place, and severe weather procedures.
• Lead district-wide safety committees and facilitate safety planning meetings.
• Coordinate district behavioral threat-assessment and safety-response protocols.
• Collaborate with local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, EMS personnel, emergency management agencies, and community safety organizations.
• Coordinate district-wide traffic flow and arrival/dismissal safety procedures in collaboration with district and building administrators.
• Assist with investigations involving safety concerns, threats, vandalism, harassment, criminal activity, or emergency incidents.
• Assist with district operational safety coordination and transportation-related safety concerns.
• Conduct periodic district safety assessments, operational reviews, and facility security audits and recommend corrective actions or improvements.
  
  

Safety Infrastructure and Operations

• Monitor and evaluate district security systems, including surveillance cameras, radios, access control systems, alarms, visitor management systems, and communication systems.
• Recommend safety and security improvements aligned with district goals and operational needs.
• Coordinate district safety support for Board of Education meetings, district activities, athletic events, and community events.
• Assist with operational safety coordination, district facility safety support, and emergency response logistics.
• Support implementation and review of district safety-related Board policies and administrative procedures.
  
  

Student Arrival, Dismissal, and Traffic Safety Coordination

• Coordinate and oversee district-wide student arrival and dismissal safety procedures, traffic flow operations, parent pick-up/drop-off systems, crosswalk safety, and campus traffic management plans in collaboration with building administrators and local law enforcement agencies.
• Coordinate and assist building administrators with supervision plans and safety procedures related to before-school and after-school student arrival, dismissal, extracurricular activities, parent traffic flow, bus loading/unloading zones, and pedestrian safety
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to traffic patterns, supervision procedures, signage, and safety protocols designed to improve student and staff safety during high-traffic operational periods.
  
  

Training, Drills, and Emergency Preparedness

• Coordinate, schedule, conduct, and evaluate all required district safety drills, emergency preparedness exercises, and crisis response activities in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements.
• Develop and provide ongoing safety training for staff and students related to emergency procedures, crisis response, behavioral threat awareness, de-escalation practices, trauma-informed approaches, reunification procedures, and district safety protocols.
• Serve as the district lead presenter and facilitator for required staff safety trainings, district professional development sessions, and emergency preparedness presentations.
• Collaborate with building administrators to ensure age-appropriate student safety instruction and preparedness activities are implemented consistently across the district.
• Coordinate tabletop exercises and multi-agency emergency response training activities with law enforcement, fire departments, EMS personnel, and emergency management agencies.
• Maintain records and documentation related to all district safety drills, compliance requirements, staff training, and emergency preparedness activities.
• Evaluate drill performance, response procedures, and training effectiveness and recommend improvements to district safety practices and protocols.
  
  

Supervision and Coordination

• Supervise, coordinate, support, and evaluate School Safety Officers and assigned safety personnel.
• Coordinate staffing schedules, assignments, training activities, and district safety coverage.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and professional development of district safety personnel.
• Promote consistency in district safety procedures, expectations, professionalism, and operational practices.
  
  

Student and Staff Support

• Promote a safe, welcoming, student-centered, and trauma-informed educational environment.
• Foster positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with administrators, counselors, behavioral teams, and student support staff to support proactive intervention efforts.
• Assist with emergency response, student supervision, and crisis intervention during incidents or emergencies.
• Support district efforts related to behavioral intervention, conflict de-escalation, and student relationship-building.
  
  

MARGINAL DUTIES

• Attend evening activities, district events, athletic contests, and emergency response situations as assigned.
• Utilize district vehicles and assist with district operational support responsibilities as assigned.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Superintendent or designee.
  
  

Training And Certification Requirements

The Director of School Safety shall maintain all district-required certifications and complete ongoing professional development including:

• Firearms qualification and annual recertification
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation training
• Emergency response and incident command training
• Trauma-informed practices training
• Behavioral support and student interaction training
• CPR, First Aid, and emergency medical response certification
• District safety procedures and emergency management protocols
• Annual district-required compliance training
  
  

The Director of School Safety shall operate in accordance with Board policy, district administrative procedures, state law, and coordination protocols with local law enforcement agencies.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise School Safety Officers and assigned district safety personnel.
• Provide leadership, evaluation, professional development, operational guidance, and ongoing support to district safety staff.
• Promote collaboration, professionalism, transparency, and continuous improvement within district safety operations.
  
  

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree preferred in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Public Safety, School Administration, or related field.
• Previous law enforcement experience or a graduate of an approved law enforcement training program is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in school safety, law enforcement, emergency management, military police, school administration, or related field preferred.
• Experience coordinating emergency preparedness, crisis response procedures, safety training, and operational leadership preferred.
• Experience working with youth or within educational settings preferred.
  
  

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSURE

• Must meet all Missouri legal requirements applicable to armed school safety personnel.
• Ability to lawfully possess and carry a firearm in accordance with Missouri law and Board policy.
• Successful completion of district-approved firearms training and qualification requirements.
• Valid Missouri driver's license required.
• CPR and First Aid certification required or ability to obtain.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong knowledge of school safety procedures, emergency management practices, and crisis response protocols.
• Demonstrated proficiency in conflict de-escalation, behavioral response, and emergency response coordination.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships with students, staff, families, law enforcement agencies, and community partners.
• Ability to remain calm and effective during stressful or emergency situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  
  

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

The District shall provide approved uniforms, outerwear, duty gear, radios, safety equipment, and related assigned equipment necessary for the performance of duties.

All district-issued uniforms, duty gear, radios, and assigned equipment shall remain the property of the Hillsboro R-3 School District and must be returned upon separation of employment.

Employees separating employment within a designated probationary or minimum service period may be financially responsible for unreturned, damaged, or non-reusable district-issued items in accordance with Board policy, district procedures, and applicable law.

The Director of School Safety shall be responsible for providing and maintaining a district-approved service weapon and maintaining all required certifications associated with lawful firearm possession and use.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, and move throughout district facilities and grounds for extended periods of time.
• Ability to respond rapidly during emergency situations.
• Ability to lift and carry safety-related equipment when necessary.
• Ability to perform duties requiring physical mobility, situational awareness, and rapid response capability.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
  
  

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during stressful situations.
• Ability to analyze safety concerns and respond appropriately.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to communicate effectively during emergencies and crisis situations.
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work performed throughout district facilities, grounds, parking lots, athletic facilities, and community event locations.
• Occasional evening, weekend, and emergency response duties required.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions and emergency situations may occur.
  
  

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary, benefits, work calendar, and conditions of employment shall be established by the Hillsboro R-3 Board of Education in accordance with district compensation plans, Board policy, and applicable law.

EVALUATION

Performance in this position shall be evaluated annually in accordance with Board policy and administrative procedures governing exempt professional staff evaluations.

ADA COMPLIANCE

The Hillsboro R-3 School District is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with this position. Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support district operations and safety needs.