School Crossing Guard

Salary: $26.00 Hourly
Location : Los Altos Police Department, CA
Job Type: Part-Time/Seasonal/Temporary
Job Number: 202300138
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: N/A


Description
Join our School Crossing Guard program and make a difference in your community by ensuring the safety of our children! Be a hero, help keep our kids safe, and contribute to a stronger, safer neighborhood.

ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO $375/WEEK IF BOTH MORNING AND AFTERNOON SHIFTS WORKED MONDAY - FRIDAY

ABOUT THE POSITION

The School Crossing Guard is responsible for supervising designated school crossing sites, ensuring safe passage of children across streets by controlling traffic flow and pedestrian conduct, and reporting any violations or incidents to authorities. This typically involves standing at a crosswalk, using hand signal or stop paddle to stop traffic, and directing children to safely cross the street when appropriate. This position is directly supervised by our Community Service Officer but will work independently at designated locations throughout the city.
For this position you must:

• Work assigned split shifts with approximately ten (10) hours per week
• Work outside regardless of weather conditions
• Wear required uniform shirt and vest
• Have ability to sit, stand, walk quickly, step up/down from curb, reach, push and/or pull, twist and/or rotate, bend, lift and carry up to 10 pounds
• Have ability to use hands to hold stop sign entire shift, use other hand to stop traffic, and use a whistle at same time.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Los Altos Police Department is a progressive organization consisting of 33 sworn officers and 18 professional staff dedicated to providing a high level of service to the community. The department is committed to the concept of community-oriented policing and continually strives for excellence, taking pride in themselves, the community they serve and their dedication to making a positive contribution to the field of law enforcement.

Examples of Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Controls school crossings, street traffic, and the conduct of school children and selects safe crossing times.

• Reports on violations of motorists and conduct of school children.

• On a voluntary basis and upon completion of appropriate training, may direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic at assigned intersections or other city locations for special situations such as events.

• Gives general assistance or directions to the public as appropriate.

• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• High School Graduation or GED Equivalent.

• At least 18 years of age.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

• Possession of a valid State of California driver's license may be required for some assignments.

• Complete training by City of Los Altos in applicable laws of the state pertaining to pedestrian safety in school contract areas.

Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

The following is a general statement for the classification. Individual positions may have additional or different physical/environmental elements.
Possess ability to:

• Move between/within work areas, including but not limited to sitting, standing, and walking on various surfaces including up and down curbs, turning, bending, grasping, and making repetitive hand movements;

• Maintain strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, including standing, sitting, walking the crosswalk, and holding the STOP paddle shoulder-high so that sign is displayed to vehicles approaching the crosswalk;

• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 10 pounds, including loading and unloading vehicle with equipment, such as traffic cones and STOP paddles;

• Be exposed to unpredictable working conditions including but not limited to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, dust, and air contaminants;

• See, hear, and take quick action to physically avoid traffic hazards for both crossing pedestrians and themselves;

• Use a standard mouth whistle and blow hard enough to make a loud whistle sound;

• Hold a standard mouth whistle in mouth for extended periods of time;

• Must possess the ability to stop/direct traffic and pedestrians while holding a stop sign in one hand and an electronic whistle in the other hand throughout the entire shift;

• Must wear specialized uniform and weather gear.

ABOUT THE RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PROCESS

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until our current vacancies are filled. To facilitate filling these positions, interviews will be conducted whenever sufficient qualified applications are received.
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and answers to job-specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the positions will be forwarded to be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phase of the process will consist of a preliminary background investigation and interviews. Applicants deemed most competitive will be required to pass Police Background Investigation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK WILL I BE WORKING?


A: These positions are part-time (maximum of 10 hours a week). You will be paid a minimum of 2 hours per scheduled day. Number of hours are not guaranteed.
Q: WILL I WEAR A UNIFORM?


A: Yes. You will be required to wear a uniform provided to you at time of hire.
Q: WILL I BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHERE I CAN WORK?


A: No. You will be assigned to a Community Service Officer who will place you where you are needed.
Q: HOW SOON WILL I BE HIRED?

A: It may take several weeks before you are interviewed. If your application meets the minimum requirements we will provide you with a supplementary questionnaire. You will be assessed based on the information you have provided and from there we will contact you via email to schedule your interview. Applications will be screened and progress through this process as they are received until all positions have been filled.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Los Altos is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person's race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age or sexual orientation. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Los Altos upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.
LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
01


Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have access to a motor vehicle or other reliable form of transportation on a daily basis to use to perform job duties?

• Yes
• No

03


What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• Other
• None of the above

04


Are you willing and able to: (Check all that apply)

• Work in bad weather
• Drive to an assigned location anywhere in the City
• Wear a uniform
• Work a split shift: 1 hour in the morning, 1 hour in the afternoon based on a given school's schedule
• Get around the city by reading a map
• Be contacted as early as six (6) am for an assignment

05


The shifts are generally two (2) hours a day, Monday - Friday. Please provide your current availability during the week for these shifts.
06


Briefly describe your experience working with children. (You may include volunteer or personal experience.)
Required Question