2026-27 School Security Specialist

Seattle Public Schools; Washington; On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Schools is seeking a Security Officer to assist in maintaining a safe school environment. You will patrol buildings and grounds, respond to incidents, and work with administrators to protect students, staff, and district property.

The role emphasizes collaboration with local agencies, documenting incidents, and providing coverage at school functions. Requires strong communication, judgment under pressure, and the ability to work in all weather conditions.

Qualifications

• High School graduation or GED.
• Two years college coursework and two years experience with at-risk youth or similar populations.
• Valid State of Washington Driver's License.
• Red Cross First Aid Certificate (Preferred).
• Fingerprint and background check (Clearance).

Responsibilities

• Assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment by patrolling premises and monitoring areas.
• Responds to incidents and reports or detains unauthorized persons per district procedures.
• Identifies emergencies and coordinates with school admins and appropriate agencies as needed.
• Develops positive rapport with students, staff, and community to promote a safe campus.
• Investigates disturbances and prepares incident reports for disciplinary and legal use.

Skills

Communicate with diverse groups

Assess emergency situations

Remain calm under pressure

Accurately document activities

Teamwork and initiative

Education

Two years college coursework

Two years experience with at-risk youth

Job description

Overview of Position

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: August 31, 2026

Essential Functions

• 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

• 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.

Qualifications

• High School graduation or GED
• Completion of two years of college coursework; and two years of experience working with at-risk youth, or similar populations.
• Valid State of Washington Driver's License
• Red Cross First Aid Certificate (Preferred)
• Fingerprint and background check (Clearance)

Supplemental Information

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.