SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Personnel Commission
CLASS TITLE: School Safety Officer
DESCRIPTION OF BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To protect school property, students, and personnel by patrolling a school
campus and adjacent property to ensure school security and pupil safety while
classes and activities are being conducted; to assist in assuring the observance
of rules, regulations and procedures by students and others; to supervise pupils
on campus and at school activities; and to perform related duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL/TYPICAL DUTIES
- Patrols campus during school hours and provide general supervision of
students outside of class
- Prevents and control incidents of violence directed against school
facilities, students, or personnel
- Maintains alertness for problems likely to disrupt the educational process
or to be injurious to persons or property; corrects or reports conditions
hazardous to the health and safety of pupils, the public, and staff; remains
alert to gang member presence including signals and the wearing of colors
- Apprehends and identifies suspects committing or attempting to commit
crimes against school facilities or offenses to the persons of students or
school personnel.
- Notifies supervisor, as appropriate, of gang activities on or near campus
and communicates with school staff via portable radio; reports hazards or
unsafe conditions on school property to principal or designee
- Establishes a positive working relationship with administrators, faculty,
staff, pupils, and the community
- Assists pupils in resolving conflicts in a positive and constructive
manner through the use of conflict resolution strategies and mediation
techniques and participate in the training of pupils and staff in conflict
resolution strategies and mediation techniques
- Refers students to appropriate administrator in cases of flagrant or
repeated violations of school regulations, and assists teachers when requested
in dealing with unruly pupils
- Screens persons entering school grounds and report presence of
unauthorized persons, or stop visitors to campus to ensure they are properly
authorized
- Maintains positive and effective working relationships with local law
enforcement agencies and representatives
- As directed by school principal or designee, intervenes appropriately in
situations likely to result in disruption or injury and imposes appropriate
consequences for pupil conduct
- Makes immediate on-site investigations of crimes or offenses by collecting
evidence and identifying witnesses
- Prepares and maintains a variety of required state and local incident and
statistical reports, records, and files
- Adjusts schedule to accommodate assignment to a variety of pupil
activities
- Assists in orienting students regarding security measures
- Performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
Immediate supervision is received from the site administrator. No supervision
is exercised.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Possession of:
- A valid Class C California Driver's License with a driving
record that meets the insurance requirements of the County Office of Education
- Current and continuing certification in Basic First Aid
- Current and continuing certification in CPR
Knowledge of:
- Safety rules and procedures to be observed by students
- Standards of courtesy and behavior expected of students
- Adolescent development and problems
- Vocabulary and usage of terms common to youth in the area
served by the school
- Basic methods of site protection
- Investigative and law-enforcement procedures and techniques
- California Penal Code and City and County ordinances
relating to theft, burglary, arson, malicious mischief, trespass, and other
criminal matters
- Law related to arrest, search, and seizure
- Regulations pertaining to the protection of buildings and
grounds belonging to the County Office of Education
- Local law-enforcement, service, and emergency agencies
- Regulations governing the use of radio broadcasting
equipment
- Security measures and devices
- Operation of a computer and related software applications
Ability to:
- Communicate orally with parents and students
- Operate two-way radio equipment
- React quickly and appropriately in emergencies
- Write required reports clearly and concisely
- Work effectively with Office staff, students, the public,
and peace officers
- Use good judgment in dealing with traffic control,
improperly parked car, and police assistance
- Keep complete and accurate records
- Think clearly and logically, use good judgment, and make
quick decisions in emergency situations
- Remember names, faces, and details of occurrences
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Deal effectively and maintain good relations with students,
school personnel, police officers, and the public.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
- Graduation from high school or evidence of equivalent
educational proficiency.
- Completion of a 24-hour training course on the specific
role of school security personnel OR ability to complete training requirements
within 30 days after being hired (or within a time frame deemed acceptable by
the Santa Clara County Office of Education).*
- Experience and training as a guard, watchman, or peace
officer is preferable. Courses in criminal justice or police administration
are preferable. Some positions may require bilingual verbal, written, and
translation skills.
*Incumbents may be required to produce proof of satisfactory completion of
the Arrest, Search, and Seizure portion of the P.C. 832 requirements.
BARGAINING UNIT: Office, Technical and Business Services (OTBS) Unit
WORKING CONDITIONS
ENVIRONMENT: School site office and surrounding campus; indoors and
outdoors in all weather conditions; all areas of a school campus including
fields, gym and bleachers, school buses, hallways, classrooms, and restrooms,
etc
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Agility and strength to protect self from attack;
hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone,
or by two-way radio; seeing to read various documents related to assigned
activities; seeing to read small print in adverse lighting and at night; depth
perception, prepare, and proofread documents, perform assigned duties;
walking, sitting or standing for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands
and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment;
kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and
horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting heavy objects,
traversing across uneven surfaces such as stairs, pavement, etc.
Approved by the Personnel Commission: 08/12/10
Revised/Approved by Personnel Commission: 09/09/10