2026-27 School Security Specialist

Seattle Public Schools; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Schools seeks a security officer to patrol school premises, respond to incidents, and assist in maintaining a safe campus environment.

The role involves monitoring hallways, grounds and events, investigating disturbances, and reporting incidents to appropriate authorities. Requires high school education and experience with at-risk youth; flexibility for outdoor conditions and diverse interactions.

Qualifications

• Security and safety practices and procedures.
• Investigative techniques, law enforcement process for juvenile offenders.

Responsibilities

• Patrols school premises; responds to incidents affecting safety.
• Provides security coverage during school hours and at events.
• Monitors hallways, grounds and adjacent areas.
• Identifies and responds to activities and emergencies disrupting operations.
• Investigates disturbances; records incidents; prepares reports.
• Assists in establishing positive rapport with students, staff and community.

Skills

Security and safety practices

Investigative techniques

Communication with diverse groups

Assess emergency situations

Remain calm under pressure

Accurately document activities

Work with at-risk youth

Education

High School graduation or GED

Two years of college coursework

Two years of experience with at-risk youth

Job description

Assists School Administrators in maintaining a positive school environment; patrols assigned school premises and responds to incidents pertaining to the safety of students, staff and district property.

HIRING INFORMATION

• Multiple positions available for hire
• Anticipated start date: September 1, 2026

30%

• Assists building administrators in maintaining a safe and secure environment for students and staff; patrols building and parking lot premises; assists in monitoring hallways, grounds and adjacent areas; provides security coverage during school hours; may provide coverage at school functions including extracurricular events; works in inclement weather.

10%

• Protects district interests and property as appropriate to prevent damage or possible liability; monitors visitors and reports or detains unauthorized persons in accordance with established District procedures; identifies security-related matters or situations such as, the need for grounds or building maintenance.

20%

• Identifies and responds to activities and emergencies which may disrupt normal school operations; physically or verbally intervenes to prevent conflicts; reports such matters to school administrators and requests assistance from community youth services, fire department or law enforcement agencies as appropriate. Share information with appropriate agencies following district and department protocol.

30%

• Assists in establishing positive rapport with students, parents, District staff and community agencies; promotes communication with students to ensure a safe campus environment; encourages prescribed standards of conduct and behavior and positive student attitudes. Develops and shares information regarding disruptions, incidents, or illegal activity following district and department protocol. Supports coverage of passing times, breaks, and lunch periods.

10%

• Investigates disturbances, records incidents, gathers data and prepares reports for use in students discipline and by law enforcement, Child Protective Services and the courts as necessary.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to Manager of Security.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires the ability to make effective decisions and solve problems using sound judgment in crisis situations; requires individual initiative and teamwork; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult individuals and "at risk" youth; requires excellent listening skills; may be required in some positions to have sufficient dexterity, mobility, physical ability and stamina, to restrain students in accordance with established guidelines, sufficient mobility to respond to student needs and safety requiring moderate physical effort as a part of regular work routine, such as frequent standing, walking, lifting, guiding and/or carrying materials or equipment up to 50 pounds; requires visual concentration and manual dexterity to operate radio, phone and paperwork; may be required to attend extracurricular activities; required to travel between sites; work in all weather conditions; required to work effectively and communicate with groups and individuals of all ages in a multi-cultural community.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Security and safety practices and procedures
• Investigative techniques, law enforcement process for juvenile offenders

Skill in:

• Communicate with individuals and groups of all ages in a multicultural community
• Assess emergency situations
• Remain calm under pressure
• Accurately document activities and occurrences
• Work with at-risk youth; work in all weather conditions

Ability to:

• Take initiative
• Assess situations and adopt an effective course of action
• Diffuse situations and issues
• Evaluate emergency situations quickly and use sound judgment
• Remain calm under pressure
• Work cooperatively with little direction
• Accurately document incidents and activities
• Work with "at risk" youth
• Work outside in all weather conditions
• Stand and walk for the majority of work shift
• Maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, the public and public agencies in a multicultural community.

EDUCATION

High School graduation or GED

EXPERIENCE

Completion of two years of college coursework; and two years of experience working with at-risk youth, or similar populations.

SUBSTITUTION

Applicable work experience may substitute for the required college education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

LICENSES/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid State of Washington Driver's License

PREFERRED

Red Cross First Aid Certificate

CLEARANCES

Fingerprint and background check

If you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, your references will be checked. Please include the contact information for your current supervisor or, if you are not currently employed, your most recent supervisor.