School Safety & Behavior Specialist

About IDEA

IDEA Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. serves approximately 330 students in grades 9–12 in the historic Deanwood neighborhood in Northeast Washington, D.C. Our mission is to prepare students for both college and career by offering a rigorous academic curriculum alongside diverse Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

IDEA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.

Position Overview

The School Safety & Behavior Specialist helps maintain a safe, welcoming, and orderly school environment by supporting campus safety, student supervision, behavior intervention, and front entrance operations.

This role builds positive relationships with students, staff, families, and visitors while promoting a secure school climate, reinforcing school expectations, and assisting with daily operational and emergency procedures.

Primary Responsibilities

Student & Visitor Support

• Serve as a welcoming presence by greeting students, staff, families, and visitors in a professional and respectful manner.
• Assist visitors by answering general questions, providing directions to school offices, and ensuring a positive first impression of the school.
• Monitor visitor check-in procedures and ensure all guests follow school access and safety protocols.
• Support a safe, organized, and welcoming school environment through consistent visibility and customer service-oriented support.

Campus Safety & School Operations

• Implement and enforce school safety policies and procedures.
• Conduct regular patrols of classrooms, hallways, common areas, parking lots, and outdoor spaces.
• Identify and report safety concerns, hazards, facility issues, or unauthorized activity.
• Maintain a visible presence to promote a safe, orderly, and positive school environment.

Student Arrival, Dismissal & Supervision

• Assist with student arrival and dismissal, including monitoring entrances, supervising traffic flow, and conducting bag checks where needed.
• Supervise students during transitions, lunch, assemblies, school events, and other activities.
• Escort students, staff, or visitors as needed.

Student Behavior & Support

• Respond to student behavioral concerns using restorative practices and de-escalation techniques.
• Support administrators with behavior interventions, investigations, and disciplinary processes.
• Build positive relationships with students, reinforce school expectations, and serve as a positive role model.

Documentation & Emergency Response

• Complete accurate incident and behavior reports and maintain required documentation.
• Assist with emergency drills, emergency response procedures, evacuations, and special events.

Professional Development

• Participate in training related to school safety, student behavior, crisis prevention, restorative practices, customer service, and conflict de-escalation.
• Stay current on school policies, emergency procedures, and best practices for maintaining a safe and positive school environment.
• events.

Other

• Acts as a versatile behavior support specialist, assuming responsibilities across multiple student behavior roles to ensure continuity of operations, including ISS, hallway monitoring, and other miscellaneous duties.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent (additional relevant certifications or training in security is a plus).
• Proven experience in security-related roles, preferably in an educational or public setting.
• Strong understanding of security procedures and visitor management.
• Excellent observational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle high-pressure situations calmly and professionally.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interact with students, staff, and visitors respectfully.
• Physical fitness and ability to perform regular patrols and respond to incidents as needed.
• Pass a thorough background check and adhere to a code of conduct and confidentiality.

Required Social-Emotional Competencies:

• Demonstrates self-awareness and the ability to recognize and manage one's emotions effectively.
• Exhibits empathy and understanding towards others, fostering positive relationships and a supportive work environment.
• Maintains composure under pressure and handles conflicts or challenging situations with tact and emotional maturity.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues, staff, and stakeholders to achieve common goals and foster a sense of unity.
• Actively listens to others, values diverse perspectives, and encourages open dialogue.
• Builds effective teams, delegates tasks appropriately, and promotes a culture of mutual respect and cooperation.
• Demonstrates openness and flexibility in embracing change (or different ideas) and adjusting to new circumstances or initiatives.
• Adapts quickly to evolving situations and demonstrates a willingness to learn and grow from challenges.
• Encourages innovation and supports creative problem-solving approaches.
• Analyzes complex issues, identifies root causes, and generates creative solutions.
• Applies critical thinking and sound judgment to make informed decisions.
• Seeks input from relevant stakeholders and considers multiple perspectives before arriving at conclusions.
• Receives feedback with an open mind, demonstrating a growth mindset and a willingness to improve.
• Provides constructive feedback to others in a respectful and supportive manner, focusing on professional growth and development.
• Actively seeks feedback from colleagues and stakeholders to enhance performance and effectiveness.
• Communicates clearly, confidently, and respectfully with diverse audiences, including staff, parents, students, and community members.
• Listens attentively, asks thoughtful questions, and seeks to understand others' viewpoints.
• Uses appropriate verbal and written communication skills to convey complex ideas and information effectively.
• Engages in constructive dialogue and debates while maintaining respect and professionalism.
• Expresses dissenting opinions or disagreements tactfully, considering the impact on relationships and the broader goals.
• Demonstrates the ability to find common ground and work towards consensus when faced with differing perspectives.
• Builds and maintains positive and trusting relationships with staff, parents, students, and community members.
• Demonstrates approachability, active listening, and the ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Cultivates a sense of community, fosters collaboration, and promotes a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Exhibits determination and resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks.
• Maintains a positive attitude, motivates others, and leads by example during difficult times.
• Demonstrates perseverance in pursuing long-term goals and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates high ethical standards and acts with integrity in all professional interactions.
• Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information with discretion.
• Upholds professional boundaries and adheres to relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines.

Compensation:

The hourly wage for this position is $28.41 per hour

Benefits: health, dental, vision and life insurance

This is a 10 month role, off during the summer

FLSA: full time, non-exempt

Schedule:
Two shifts are available. Preferred candidates are flexible and willing to work either shift and provide coverage for the alternate shift as operational needs arise.

• First Shift: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch break)
• Second Shift: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM (includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch break)

Pay: $28.41 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $28