School Culture and Safety Assistant (Security position)

School Culture And Safety Assistant

Under the direction of the Director, Safety and Security, the Supervisor, Field Services, and the building administrator or designee, the School Culture and Safety Assistant is responsible for monitoring the safety of students, staff and visitors who use the facilities owned or leased by the school system.

The School Culture and Safety Assistant plays a vital role in creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for students, staff, and visitors. Provide a safe and secure school environment by monitoring student movement, assisting with conflict de-escalation, and serving as a visible, trustworthy presence on campus. This position ensures staff, students, and visitors adhere to school safety protocols while promoting respectful, supportive, and inclusive conduct.

School Culture and Safety Assistants are key partners in crisis response, emergency drills, and daily operational checks, including securing doors and monitoring high-traffic areas. By developing positive relationships with students and serving as a consistent adult presence, this position supports HCPSS' mission to cultivate a nurturing and inclusive school climate.

Through proactive supervision and intervention, School Culture and Safety Assistants contribute directly to student well-being, academic engagement, and school safety. With a strong focus on mental health awareness, relationship building, and fostering a culture of belonging, this role combines proactive security measures with strategies to foster a positive school culture. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED (must scan and upload to the online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization.
• Three years of experience in school security, public safety, military, social work, counseling, or student advocacy.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification (required or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Completion of 70 hours state-mandated security training or completion within one year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates degree in criminal justice, psychology, social work, education, or a related field.
• Experience working with a diverse student population.
• Experience in a school-based or youth mentorship program.
• Training in de-escalation and conflict resolution.
• Restorative practices.
• Mental health first aid or trauma-informed care.

Essential Position Responsibilities:

• Campus Monitoring & Presence: Monitors hallways, entrances/exits, cafeterias, restrooms, parking lots, stairwells, and all school property to maintain a visible presence and prevent safety incidents. This duty requires lengthy periods of sitting, standing, and walking, and may include walking up and down stairs frequently throughout the day. Enforces parking regulations to ensure safety and compliance across school grounds.
• Student Relationship Building & Advocacy: Builds positive relationships with students to foster trust, encourage positive behavior, and create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Acts as a mentor and advocate for students, supporting social-emotional well-being and positive decision-making. Promotes student engagement in extracurricular activities and school functions to support holistic development and reduce behavioral concerns.
• Administrative Collaboration & Documentation: Collaborates with school administrators on proactive safety strategies and supports interventions for at-risk students. Maintains detailed and timely documentation of incidents, interventions, and safety concerns. Participates in follow-up as required.
• Incident Investigation & Reporting: Investigates security-related incidents such as fights, drug possession, and weapons on campus in coordination with administrators and law enforcement as needed. Documents findings accurately and promptly.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response: Responds to emergencies and conducts crisis management activities. Participates in fire drills, lockdowns, shelter-in-place, and evacuation procedures. Acts as a liaison between administration and first responders during critical incidents.
• Surveillance & Access Control: Monitors surveillance systems and access control mechanisms to detect suspicious activity and unauthorized entry. Assist with visitor management systems and ensure access protocols are followed.
• Event Security & Operations: Assists with security operations during extracurricular events including athletic games, concerts, dances, and school assemblies. Operates security equipment such as two-way radios and communication devices to coordinate with staff and law enforcement.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of diverse cultures and socioeconomic background.
• Knowledge of school safety/emergency protocol.
• Skill in mediating conflicts between students fairly and impartially, conflict resolution and de-escalation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with students, staff, parents, and School Resource Officer.
• Ability to collaborate with school leadership to develop and implement best practices for safety and security Ability to establish relationships with students, staff, and families to foster trust and open communication.
• Ability to use security technology, including video surveillance systems, two-way radios, and access control systems.
• Ability to handle sensitive information about students and staff.

Additional Requirements:

Working Hours: The duty day for this position is 8.5 hours which will include a 30-minute unpaid, duty-free lunch period. (Schedule may change based on operational needs)

Application Requirements: Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Selection Criteria: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the school system's needs. Applicants may be required to complete a skills assessment before or during the interview process.

Employment Information:

Compensation: This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is Grade 8 on the HCEA-ESP Secretaries and Assistants salary scale. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement, which considers prior experience relevant. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime.

Retirement: Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee's annual salary.

Benefits: HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

Pre-Employment Requirements: Professional references will be contacted prior to any employment offer. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors.

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.

Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sandy Saval.

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.