School Resource Officer

Job Title

Job Qualifications:

Education: Must possess a high school diploma, associate's degree, or considerable college coursework in criminology, law enforcement, or related field desirable. Any combination of applicable education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

Certification or Licensure: Must be certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) as a police officer. Possession of a valid state driver's license or equivalent. First aid and CPR certification or willingness to acquire within a specified time.

Skills: Excellent oral communication and human relations skills. Has knowledge of job, professionalism, interpersonal, communication, and organization skills, and problem-solving competencies.

Work Experience: Experience in work involving the welfare and safety of students or others, preferably educational environment. Experience in the safety and security of persons and property preferred. Must not have been convicted of a felony or some other crime involving moral turpitude.

Primary Duty:

This position is responsible for providing security and taking appropriate action to prevent injury to students, employees, and visitors while on or in the board of education property or facility. Provides reports to the principal and director of school safety as requested. Assists the school leadership team in developing and implementing security procedures. Gives support with investigations of serious incidents. With directions of the principal or designee, assists in controlling access to buildings and grounds by unauthorized persons, and in assuring that students report to their assigned instructional areas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Patrol board of education facilities and properties to ensure a safe environment.

2. Knows basic law including criminal and civil statutes, police procedures, criminal code of Georgia, juvenile court code, and basic law enforcement. Works with principals, administrators, and other school personnel concerning juvenile or adult offenses and arbitrates for restitution.

3. Conducts preliminary investigations and makes written reports of incidents that take place on board of education properties.

4. Works with students, teachers, school leadership staff, and governmental and community members, demonstrating knowledge of jobs and professionals.

5. Knows the procedures and practices for ensuring the safety and welfare of others. Has knowledge of behavior management techniques.

6. Enforces board policies and rules, state and local laws, and takes appropriate actions when violations are reported or observed.

7. Conducts random and requested searches consistent with policies and procedures and makes written reports.

8. Participates as a member of the school emergency management team. (Participates and attends professional growth activities as needed (optional) or as required.

9. Collects and preserves physical evidence at the scene(s) or other incidents as required by circumstances.

10. Testifies and presents evidence in criminal court, any court of competent jurisdiction, or at school disciplinary tribunal.

11. Upon request of school or county police or other legal authority, may hold suspects for appropriate agency and confiscate physical evidence.

12. The employee shall carry out such other and further duties, whether specifically listed above or not, as are assigned or required by such employee's supervisor, other appropriate school personnel, law board policy administrative regulation, or department handbook, as are reasonably necessary to the efficient operation of the school system and its mission.

Work Environment / Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, and sit.

Special Requirements:

Must be twenty-one years old and live within thirty-mile radius of the school system. Must agree to work an eight-hour shift out of any twenty-four hours, seven days a week. Required to occasionally work overtime with appropriate compensation. (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.). Required to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as assigned by the public safety school director to provide maximum security coverage. Special requirements include the ability to lift and move heavy objects and frequent climbing. Required to wear the designated security uniforms.

Date Established: 02/2009Date(s) Revised: 07/2024

This description may be changed at any time. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the board. Richmond County Schools reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.