Certified School Resource Officer - Deputy Sheriff

City of Roanoke, Virginia; Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Roanoke, Virginia seeks Virginia DCJS certified Law Enforcement Officers to serve as School Resource Officers (SRO) for the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office. The SRO interacts with police staff, school faculty, students, parents, and staff to educate, promote safety, and foster positive police/community relations.

The role covers one Roanoke City school, with work hours aligned to the Roanoke City Public Schools calendar (7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. for elementary).

Qualifications

• Must have successfully completed basic law enforcement academy, the probationary period as a law enforcement officer, and be DCJS law enforcement certified in Virginia.
• SRO Certification preferred but not required.
• Associate's degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school with a major in social or police science desirable but not required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Foster educational programs/activities to increase each student's knowledge of and respect for the law and the function of law enforcement.
• Attend extracurricular activities held at the District’s schools within the City, when feasible, and promote a positive relationship between students and law enforcement officials.
• Understand school policies regarding how to distinguish disciplinary infractions to be handled by school officials versus criminal activity that warrants SRO involvement.
• Review enforcement and investigative techniques at local schools and work with District personnel to provide in-service training to staff with regard to crisis management and school security.
• Work with the District’s personnel to advise concerning vehicular and traffic safety on and around the school campuses.
• Act swiftly and cooperatively when responding to disruptions and criminal offenses at school or on school grounds, such as: disorderly conduct by trespassers; the possession and/or use of weapons on campus; the possession, sale, distribution or use of alcohol or controlled substances; rioting or dangerous demonstrations; serious acts of vandalism; etc.;
• Make reports of criminal offenses as per Department regulations as warranted, and investigate such acts that may occur at schools.
• Provide assistance to other officers of the Department or other law enforcement agencies in their investigations of criminal offenses which are alleged to occur off campus, but may be related to school activities.
• Familiarize themselves with the many issues confronting students, e.g., alcohol and drug use, gang involvement, weapons, bullying, and teenage suicide.

Skills

DCJS certified

SRO Certification preferred

Virginia law enforcement officer

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent

Job description

The City of Roanoke is seeking Virginia DCJS certified Law Enforcement Officers to serve as a School Resource Officers (SRO) for the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office. The School Resource Officer is responsible for interacting with the police staff, school faculty, school administration and staff, parents, and students in the Roanoke City School system to lead and educate students, promote safety, and promote positive police/community relationships. The officer is responsible for one school in the Roanoke City school system. The officer serves as a law enforcement officer, teacher, role model, and counselor to and for the students The SRO works with diverse groups of people. A majority of the time is spent in environmentally controlled classroom settings, although assignment outdoors in various weather conditions may occur. Stressors in the assignment include interaction with openly hostile students or parents, requirements to meet deadlines, and the responsibility for a large number of students with a wide variety of concerns. The SRO is responsible for preventing, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting criminal violations on Roanoke City School property or events. The work hours for elementary schools are 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and will follow the Roanoke City Public Schools calendar schedule. Work hours are subject to being flexed, which includes but is not limited to dances, athletic events, and shift extensions.

*Starting salary 43,050 - 50,000 commensurate with certifications and experience*

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Foster educational programs/activities to increase each student's knowledge of and respect for the law and the function of law enforcement;
• Attend extracurricular activities held at the District’s schools within the City, when feasible, and promote a positive relationship between students and law enforcement officials;
• Understand school policies regarding how to distinguish disciplinary infractions to be handled by school officials versus criminal activity that warrants SRO involvement;
• Review enforcement and investigative techniques at local schools and work with District personnel to provide in-service training to staff with regard to crisis management and school security;
• Work with the District’s personnel to advise concerning vehicular and traffic safety on and around the school campuses;
• Act swiftly and cooperatively when responding to disruptions and criminal offenses at school or on school grounds, such as: disorderly conduct by trespassers; the possession and/or use of weapons on campus; the possession, sale, distribution or use of alcohol or controlled substances; rioting or dangerous demonstrations; serious acts of vandalism; etc.;
• Make reports of criminal offenses as per Department regulations as warranted, and investigate such acts that may occur at schools;
• Provide assistance to other officers of the Department or other law enforcement agencies in their investigations of criminal offenses which are alleged to occur off campus, but may be related to school activities;
• Familiarize themselves with the many issues confronting students, e.g., alcohol and drug use, gang involvement, weapons, bullying, and teenage suicide;
• Provide direct intervention to children who are victims, witnesses, or perpetrators of violent crime;
• Participate in SRO Program evaluation by providing data and assisting with analysis and recommendations through partnership meetings;
• Provide assistance in the development of a Safe School Plan and crisis preparedness guidelines for schools;
• Define safety and security measures, as needed, within the schools and assist with implementation. The services performed by the SRO are not intended to supplant those provided by existing District security personnel;
• Handle the primary responsibility of responding to calls for service and investigating crimes at all Roanoke City Public Schools campuses within the City;
• Conduct follow-up on reports taken by patrol officers when appropriate;
• Establish genuine rapport between students, faculty and parents while being available to students, parents and faculty before, during and after school;
• Provide a safe, healthy and secure environment on campus and in the immediate proximity of the campus;
• Provide routine marked police car patrol and foot patrol during the most critical times to discourage unlawful and antisocial behavior;
• Provide intelligence to law enforcement and school officials relative to gang or drug activities and enforcement;
• Give educational presentations to student body, faculty, administration, PTSA and other school-based groups relative to laws, the role of law enforcement and other applicable subjects;
• Serve as a resource for Roanoke City Public Schools and the Department by providing safety programs, special drug education classes and juvenile gang awareness and prevention programs in the schools and assisting staff with presentations and instruction in developing age-appropriate curriculum;
• Train school administrators and faculty on gangs, youth subcultures and substance abuse;
• Train Department personnel on the role of the SRO and on school issues important for officers to know;
• Be a liaison for the school, police and probation, and the community to keep all informed of activities of others who may be at risk or inclined to cause problems Sample SRO Job Description.docx 4 or commit crimes;
• Assist police investigators with information that will help solve cases;
• Help school staff in lessening campus tension and provide assistance to campus supervisors as needed;
• Consider diversion opportunities for youth, rather than arrest, when appropriate;
• Use discretion in handling confidential material and information;
• Use the resources provided for the prevention, observation, intervention, investigation, and reporting of unlawful acts;
• As needed, attend District activities outside of the regular duty hours;
• Coordinate all activities with the principals and staff members concerned and seek permission, advice and guidance prior to enacting any program within the school;
• Grow professionally through study and participation in professional activities, including recommended SRO trainings, including the California POST required/recommended SRO training/certification.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Must have successfully completed basic law enforcement academy, the probationary period as a law enforcement officer, and be DCJS law enforcement certified in Virginia. SRO Certification preferred but not required. Associate's degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school with a major in social or police science desirable but not required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Holds current Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Law Enforcement certification. Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services related trainings to obtain SRO certification will be provided if needed.

Supplemental Information

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DUTIES

• Contact people by radio when needed
• Type letters and reports on computer
• Interact with children at breakfast and lunch and when leaving at the end of the day
• Maintains awareness of police and educational issues in the community
• Conducts regular security checks and/or surveys of the school environment
• Assists in problem-solving activities, especially as related to youth safety
• Attend court when necessary to represent a child
• Attend community meetings in school area
• Attend faculty meetings
• Work with the Parents Teachers Association (PTA)
• Fingerprint children for parents when requested

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret journals, reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from citizens, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community orally and in writing. Ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Ability to resolve conflicts.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables when working collaboratively toward a common issue or resolution.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.