Purpose Statement

The Protection Officer is responsible for providing armed security support to ensure a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and visitors across school campuses. This role involves active monitoring, emergency response, and collaboration with law enforcement to uphold district safety policies and ensure the welfare of the school community.

This position reports to the Director of Operations & Safety and the Building Principal.

Essential Job Functions

• Safety and Crisis Response: Assist in emergency situations, notify authorities as necessary, and support administrators in crisis response. Implement emergency protocols (e.g., evacuations, lockdowns, severe weather).
• Armed Security: Adhere to all laws and district policies for carrying firearms and tactical equipment. Use restraint or appropriate levels of force when necessary to de-escalate situations.
• Emergency Medical Assistance: Provide emergency first aid, CPR, and crisis intervention to students and staff as needed.
• Monitoring and Surveillance: Operate and monitor security cameras, patrol school grounds, and check door security to deter unsafe or criminal activities.
• Student Supervision: Engage with students, monitor behavior, and ensure compliance with school policies in areas such as hallways, cafeteria, and during events.
• Traffic Control: Direct parking and traffic flow to maintain efficiency and safety during school events and peak times.
• Incident Documentation: Prepare and maintain logs, incident reports, and activity records to document actions taken and observations made.

Collaborative Responsibilities

• Community and Staff Engagement: Work with school staff, local law enforcement, and community representatives to develop and implement safety plans.
• Educational Outreach: Present information on topics such as bullying, drug awareness, and emergency preparedness to students, staff, and parents.
• Policy Enforcement: Support school administration in enforcing rules, conducting investigations, and managing potential violations of school policies or criminal actions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain files and records for future reference and policy compliance, communicate incidents and safety updates, and participate in required training sessions, meetings, and workshops.
• Visitor and Student Escort: Escort students, visitors, and staff across campus to ensure their safety and adherence to security protocols.
• Equipment and Physical Requirements: Maintain physical readiness for prolonged periods of walking, standing, and possible exposure to various weather conditions.  The SPO is to register and carry their personal firearm, in accordance with Missouri State Statute (610.665).  The SPO must provide proof of legal ownership of the firearm.  The weapon may need to be registered with regulatory bodies and inspected by a qualified technician to ensure it is in good working condition and safe to use.

Job Requirement: Minimum Qualifications

• Skills: Strong communication and relational skills, ability to remain professional and composed under pressure, proficiency with office equipment and security systems, and accurate record-keeping.
• Knowledge: Understanding of crisis management, emergency protocols, first aid, and school safety policies.
• Abilities: Adaptable, able to maintain confidentiality, work collaboratively in diverse environments, and respond swiftly in emergencies with sound judgment.
• Experience: Experience in public safety, security, or law enforcement is preferred.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; minimum of 60 college credit hours is preferred.
• Certifications: DESE Substitute Certificate; CPR/First Aid required; law enforcement commission or equivalent POST certification is preferred. Ongoing training in conflict resolution, crisis management, threat detection, and critical decision-making is required.
• MANDT Certification: a comprehensive, integrated approach to preventing, de-escalating, and if necessary, intervening when the behavior of an individual poses a threat of harm to themselves and/or others.
• SPO Certification: complete 112 minimum hours for initial training and 12 hours of annual training to include quarterly firearms qualifications.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: preparing and maintaining accurate records; operating standard office equipment; and utilizing pertinent software applications.  Follow and relay verbal and written orders.  Strong written and verbal communications and relational skills.  Remain professional, composed, and objective in all types of situations.

KNOWLEDGE is required to read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.  Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: English grammar/punctuation/ spelling/vocabulary; and telephone etiquette.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: maintaining confidentiality; adapting to changing priorities; working with frequent interruptions; communicating with diverse groups; and displaying tact and courtesy.  Observing situations analytically, impartially, and objectively to record them clearly and completely.  Use sound logic and independent judgement to react quickly and appropriately in dangerous and emergent situations.  Anticipate potential problems before they occur.  React to situations utilizing appropriate levels of force or restraint.  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, teachers, parents, students, and the general public.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Regularly walking, hearing and speaking, some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity.  Being able to communicate in noisy environments, have close moderate and distance vision ability, must have the ability to lift 70 lbs. to shoulder height occasionally.  Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing.  This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.  

Employee will be required to work inside and outside, which may involve inclement weather including rain, snow and temperatures below freezing or in excess of 100 degrees.  The noise level could be occasionally loud.   

Experience:  Job related experience is desired.  Emergency response and supervision.

Education:  High school diploma or equivalent and 60 College Credit Hours minimum.

Salary Grade: Classified Salary Schedule M

Certificates and Licenses                                                                                                                                                                                                           

• CPR/First Aid Certification required within 30 days
• Class Commissioned Police Officer and/or POST
• Certified DESE Substitute Certificate

Clearances

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
• Physical Exam and Essential Functions Test

Required Training

• Conflict Resolution Training, Crisis Management Training, Critical Decision-Making Training, Threat Detection Training, Mandt Training
• Must stay current on training – employee responsibility

FLSA Status:      Non-Exempt