Community Safety and Security Officer

Job Summary

Lakeside School, an independent, coeducational day school in north Seattle, WA, is seeking a dedicated and vigilant Community Safety Officer to provide security coverage for both the Upper School and Middle School, with a primary focus on the Middle School. This pivotal role is focused on maintaining a safe and secure environment for our diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. 

The ideal candidate will bring professionalism, warmth, and a customer-service mindset, demonstrating consistent approachability and strong interpersonal skills. As the first point of contact for many community members—including students, parents/guardians, and employees—the officer must create a welcoming and safe environment. 

As a member of our community safety team, you will play a crucial role in upholding our standards for safety and security, ensuring that Lakeside School remains a welcoming and secure place for learning and growth. Join us in our mission to provide an environment where students can thrive, free from safety concerns. 

The position is a full-time, year-round team member for our day shift community safety team, working Monday through Friday. This position supports the safety and security of our school community throughout the year—including regular school days, non-school days, and summer programs.

While the primary schedule follows a traditional weekday daytime shift, there will be occasional responsibilities outside of regular school hours. These additional hours are typically associated with special events, such as evening or weekend programs, athletics, community gatherings, or when school is not in session. Flexibility and a team-oriented approach are essential as we work together to ensure campus safety during both routine and after-hours operations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe and secure environment for students, employees, and visitors.
• Patrol and monitor the premises and perimeter on foot, regardless of weather conditions. 
• Focus on access points to the building and property.
• Ensure the safe arrival and departure of buses during the academic school year and during summer programs.
• Monitor and control the entrance and departure of employees, students, and visitors, with a particular focus on the south parking lot gate.
• Report incidents and irregularities to the proper personnel.
• Protect property, staff, and students from theft, damage, trespassing, or accidents.
• Provide a visible presence that enforces safety and security.
• Contact and work with local police as needed.
• Identify and investigate suspicious behavior, threats, and irregular activity.
• Respond to alarms.
• Maintain general knowledge of how alarms function and be able to follow response requirements for fire alarms.
• Detect and confront unauthorized individuals and those violating security procedures.
• Enforce relevant laws and regulations pertaining to all individuals on the property.
• Report rule infractions and violations. Monitor and prevent the movement of prohibited items into and out of the property.
• Conduct exterior property checks.
• Conduct interior building patrols.
• Secure and unlock exterior doors and windows when needed.
• Regularly check all access-controlled exterior doors to ensure they are functioning properly; promptly report any malfunctions or irregularities to the appropriate personnel.
• Contact the relevant authorities to address unlawful or irregular activities.
• Use radio or other communication devices clearly and concisely.
• Follow prescribed emergency plans in case of an emergency.
• Contribute to the team by communicating well and providing support.
• Build positive relationships with students, families, and staff by providing a friendly and helpful presence on campus.
• Greet and assist visitors with a warm, professional demeanor.
• Serve as a visible, trusted presence to whom students and community members feel comfortable turning for assistance.
• Demonstrated cultural awareness, including knowledge of themselves and the cultural lenses they bring to interactions. The candidate will understand different perspectives, interact respectfully with cultures other than their own, and cultivate meaningful relationships with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements and Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED Certificate.
• Two to three years of previous experience as a security officer is preferred.
• Experience in a customer-related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of MS Office products and Google Workspace.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage effectively and warmly with students, staff, parents, and guardians in a variety of situations.
• A naturally approachable demeanor and ability to remain calm, respectful, and supportive in both routine and high-pressure situations.
• Have a current CPR and First Aid certification or have the ability to complete within the first 30 days of employment. 
• Ability to operate security systems and equipment.
• Knowledge of state laws and regulations
• Working knowledge of security operations and safety practices
• Enforce policies and procedures
• Ability to work and communicate cooperatively with co-workers, staff, and contractors
• Ability to work independently and ask for assistance when necessary
• Attend required meetings and adhere to Lakeside School policies at all times
• As stated in the Lakeside School Statement of Community Expectations, demonstrate strong personal integrity, trustworthiness, responsibility, and accountability
• Demonstrated cultural awareness, including knowledge of themselves and the cultural lenses they bring to interactions. The candidate will understand different perspectives, interact respectfully with cultures other than their own, and cultivate meaningful relationships with people that have different cultural frameworks.
• Possess a current and valid Washington State Driver’s license, good driving record, and be able to operate school vehicles.
• Satisfactory completion of three criminal background checks.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and work history via the online application. Please also include three professional references and provide us with their contact info (phone number and email).

Salary and Benefits 

This is a full-time, year-round, non-exempt position with an hourly range of $23-26. Pay is based on several factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Lakeside School is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding candidates and provides a competitive compensation package. Benefits include:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (based on FTE)
• Dependent medical and vision subsidy
• Retirement with a generous employer contribution
• Life/disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible spending accounts
• Free lunch
• Free parking
• Bus/bike benefits
• Housing assistance program
• Reduced facility rentals
• Passport Corporate membership
• Computer loan program
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Use of the school library and gymnasium

Working At Lakeside

At Lakeside, we are committed to sustaining a school in which individuals representing diverse cultures and experiences instruct one another in the meaning and value of community. To learn more about working at Lakeside, including our professional development and mentoring programs, benefits, diversity and inclusion, and opportunities for involvement in non-academic programs, please visit our Careers page on the Lakeside School website.