School Safety Officers

(Multiple full-time and part-time positions available at the secondary school level)

About Schenectady City Schools

The Schenectady City School District (SCSD) has begun a period of change that seeks to transform the district and its schools. A significant level of local, state, and federal attention and investment in the Schenectady City Schools has characterized the last few years providing an incredible opportunity to ensure that all of its students graduate prepared to succeed in college or a well-paying career. Currently, the Schenectady City School District is seeking highly competent, motivated, dedicated and fully engaged individuals to accept leadership roles throughout the district's schools and Central Office to serve the academic, emotional and physical needs of approximately 10,000 students through the essential elements of the district’s Strategic Plan. The Superintendent is leading a talented and committed leadership team with the aim of moving SCSD toward world class status and preparing all students for success.

Hours: 8 hours per day

Work Year: 10 months

Distinguishing Features of the Class and Role of School Safety Officer:

Employees in this class are responsible for insuring the safety of students and staff, maintaining order and protecting school property. Direct supervision is received from the District Chief of Security and Building Principal in accordance with established policies and procedures.  Does related work as required. This position requires a high degree of cultural awareness, an understanding of positive behavioral supports and restorative practices.

Typical Work Activities and Expectations of School Safety Officer:

• Controls and directs traffic on school roadways and parking lots;
• Patrols school grounds on foot or in car to protect persons and property, maintain order and ensure compliance with school rules and regulations;
• Patrols school parking lots before, during and after regularly schedule classes,
• Checks all vehicles for proper registration;
• Investigates complaints received personally or as assigned by supervisor;
• Supervision of entry level teacher aides assigned to hallways, doors, etc.
• May enforce traffic and parking regulations;
• May summon local police, fire department or ambulance service in case of law violation, fire or other emergency;
• Gives information and directions to students and visitors;
• Keeps records and makes written reports on a regular basis on security matters;
• Performs related duties as required by Chief of Security/Building Principal to provide protection and maintain security;
• Questions persons on school premises who are not students or staff and advises as to school rules and either directs visitors to school offices or asks them to leave.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics and Key Qualities of School Safety Officer:

• Working knowledge of the practices and procedures necessary to maintain order and insure the protection of life and the security of buildings, grounds and equipment;
• Working knowledge of school district rules and regulations; ability to exercise sound judgment in carrying out duties;
• Ability to maintain good relationships with students and faculty;
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions;
• Good powers of observation;
• Courtesy and tact. Ability to prepare brief written communications;
• Ability to communicate information orally and by written report;
• Ability to use self-defense, restraint techniques and security equipment as necessary; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Hours: 8 hours per day

Work Year: 10 months

Distinguishing Features of the Class and Role of Security Monitor:

The work involves responsibility for patrolling halls, corridors, lavatories, buildings and grounds to protect persons and property and to enforce school rules.  The position is intended to provide maximum security of persons and property while maintaining an atmosphere throughout the school that is conducive to the program of studies. The incumbent will establish rapport with students in order to assist them with their problems or refer them to someone on the professional staff who can help.  The work is performed under the general direction of the school principal with leeway allowed for exercise of independent judgment in carrying out assignments.  Does related work as required.

Typical Work Activities and Expectations of Security Monitor:

• Patrols school halls, stairwells, restrooms, courtyards, entrances, parking lots and other parts of school buildings and grounds to protect persons and property, maintain order and insure compliance with school rules;
• Questions persons on school premises who are not student or staff and advises as to school rules and either directs visitors to school offices or asks them to leave;
• Reports periodically to principal on problems, incidents and conditions affecting security, either orally or in writing;
• Interacts and develops rapport with students in order to act as a sounding board so students have someone to talk to about their school or personal problems, and either assists them or refers them to someone who can help them;
• Advises parents, teachers, counselors or principal about potential or actual student problems concerning class-cutting, truancy, disciplinary or other school or personal problems;
• May supervise the loading of buses and follows buses on routes or on field trips to make sure no discipline problems develop;
• May work in a detention class or "time out" room calming down students and conferring with them as to the importance of  remaining in school and of maintaining proper school behavior;
• Checks student attendance by verifying daily records against teacher attendance records, records absences or class cuts,  notes late students, verifies absence notes and contacts  parent as to problem;
• Participates in the development and implementation of district  security plans;
• May act as liaison with local and state police agencies;
• May answer requests from parents, probation officers and counselors regarding attendance and, in essence, acts as a liaison between home and school;
• May act as a contact with the outside community for the benefit of the students to help them get jobs or into programs and assists in arranging for community based school activities such as field trips.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics and Key Qualities of Security Monitor:

• Working knowledge of the problems of young adults;

• ability to perform the actions necessary to maintain order and insure the protection of persons and security of the school building;

• ability to exercise sound judgment in carrying out supervision and security duties;

• ability to relate to, get along with and command the respect of young adults;

• ability to understand and carry out written or oral directions;

• ability to articulate the problems and concerns of students to the school administration;

• concern for the welfare of young adults;

• understanding of the value of receiving an education and ability to transmit this knowledge of students.

Hours: 8 hours per day

Work Year: 10 months/185 days per year

Distinguishing Features of the Class and Role of Security Monitor:

The work involves responsibility for patrolling halls, corridors, lavatories, buildings and grounds to protect persons and property and to enforce school rules.  The position is intended to provide maximum security of persons and property while maintaining an atmosphere throughout the school that is conducive to the program of studies. The incumbent will establish rapport with students in order to assist them with their problems or refer them to someone on the professional staff who can help.  The work is performed under the general direction of the school principal with leeway allowed for exercise of independent judgment in carrying out assignments.  Does related work as required.

Typical Work Activities and Expectations of Security Monitor:

• Patrols school halls, stairwells, restrooms, courtyards, entrances, parking lots and other parts of school buildings and grounds to protect persons and property, maintain order and insure compliance with school rules;
• Questions persons on school premises who are not student or staff and advises as to school rules and either directs visitors to school offices or asks them to leave;
• Reports periodically to principal on problems, incidents and conditions affecting security, either orally or in writing;
• Interacts and develops rapport with students in order to act as a sounding board so students have someone to talk to about their school or personal problems, and either assists them or refers them to someone who can help them;
• Advises parents, teachers, counselors or principal about potential or actual student problems concerning class-cutting, truancy, disciplinary or other school or personal problems;
• May supervise the loading of buses and follows buses on routes or on field trips to make sure no discipline problems develop;
• May work in a detention class or "time out" room calming down students and conferring with them as to the importance of  remaining in school and of maintaining proper school behavior;
• Checks student attendance by verifying daily records against teacher attendance records, records absences or class cuts,  notes late students, verifies absence notes and contacts  parent as to problem;
• Participates in the development and implementation of district  security plans;
• May act as liaison with local and state police agencies;
• May answer requests from parents, probation officers and counselors regarding attendance and, in essence, acts as a liaison between home and school;
• May act as a contact with the outside community for the benefit of the students to help them get jobs or into programs and assists in arranging for community based school activities such as field trips.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics and Key Qualities of Security Monitor:

• Working knowledge of the problems of young adults;

• ability to perform the actions necessary to maintain order and insure the protection of persons and security of the school building;

• ability to exercise sound judgment in carrying out supervision and security duties;

• ability to relate to, get along with and command the respect of young adults;

• ability to understand and carry out written or oral directions;

• ability to articulate the problems and concerns of students to the school administration;

• concern for the welfare of young adults;

• understanding of the value of receiving an education and ability to transmit this knowledge of students.