School Safety Officer

School Safety Officer

The primary function of the School Safety Officer is to ensure the overall safety and security of the School District's students, staff, administration, and guests. The School Safety Officer assists the School District's administration with enforcing policies and procedures for a safe and orderly school at the building level.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

• Monitoring the School District's grounds to ensure only authorized individuals access the grounds.
• Timely reporting suspicious activity to the School District's administration.
• Responding to and de-escalating incidents, fights, or other issues that threaten the safety of students, staff, and/or guests.
• Monitoring and assisting with the arrival and departure of students.
• Assisting the School District's administration, staff, and students in emergency situations.
• Assisting the School District's administration, staff, and students during fire drills and building evacuations.
• Leading the crisis planning and implementation of the crisis plan with the School District's administration.
• Monitoring and securing extracurricular activities as directed by the School District's administration.
• Providing a visible presence of security and safety to the students.
• Abiding by all Board of Education policies.
• Performing all other tasks assigned.

The position's physical requirements include the ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods of time, the ability to articulate information in an emergency situation, and the use of physical agility and strength to defend self and detain persons when necessary.

The minimum qualifications for the School Safety Officer are:

• At least 18 years of age with a High School Diploma.
• Ability to follow written and oral directions.
• Ability to develop rapport with faculty and community members.
• Maintain confidentiality of all school-related matters.
• Ability to work with adolescents in maintaining a positive and safe school culture.
• Proficient with teamwork and collaborating with colleagues and the School District's administration.
• Possess an appreciation for cultural awareness and a commitment to continuously developing insight related to such matters.
• Certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Minimum of five years' successful experience in law enforcement or security services.
• Understanding of the Board of Education policies and the Illinois School Code.
• Maintain all certifications, licensures, qualifications, and training necessary to carry a firearm and a concealed firearm on school premises under state, federal, and local laws and regulations.
• Regularly attend and successfully complete all training necessary to maintain the certifications, licensures, any qualification described herein and as may otherwise be deemed necessary or appropriate by the District for the SSO.
• Such other qualifications and skills as the Board of Education may find appropriate, necessary and acceptable.