Class 1 School Resource Officer

Bluffton Police Department; Bluffton (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Bluffton Police Department seeks a School Resource Officer to perform protective services, enforce laws, and assist with security during school events. You will mentor students, coordinate with school officials on emergency plans, and respond to incidents under supervision.

The role involves patrolling school grounds, testifying in court, and participating in ongoing training. A valid SC driver’s license and SC LE certification are required, with SRO training to be completed within one year of

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• South Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Certification.
• Successful completion of School Resource Officer training within 1 year of hire.
• Valid South Carolina driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with schools to implement emergency response plans.
• Build rapport with students, staff, and community to promote safety.
• Organize and plan law enforcement services for school events.
• Respond to incidents and conduct investigations as required.
• Provide first responder medical assistance and enforce traffic laws near schools.

Skills

Police procedures

Community relations

Emergency response

Firearms proficiency

Vehicle operations

Juvenile law

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

South Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Certification

School Resource Officer training within 1 year of hire

Job description

The purpose of this position is to perform protective service work and enforce laws for the Town of Bluffton (Town). Duties include; assisting with special projects for the Town of Bluffton and the Bluffton Police Department, attending advanced training classes as related to the job, and assisting with security during special school events. Other work-related duties are performed as required or directed under the moderate supervision of the Police Sergeant.

• Coordinates with schools officials to implement effective emergency response plans while utilizing the most advanced techniques to ensure a positive outcome with school-related incidents.
• Serves as a role model, counselor, mentor, and instructor while building rapport with the students, staff, and community to promote a positive and safe learning environment.
• Organizes, schedules, and plans Law Enforcement services for extracurricular events on and off school campuses.
• Operates patrol vehicle or walks to observe for violations of traffic laws, suspicious activities or persons, and disturbances of law and order; operates specialized police equipment; and maintains a visible police presence throughout the school.
• Interviews victims and witnesses; obtains additional information regarding crime, accident, violation, etc.
• Investigates crimes; collects and processes evidence; and conducts searches.
• Responds to radio dispatches and answers calls and complaints; serves warrants, summons, etc.; and completes arrest records.
• Participates in illegal drug enforcement operations; conducts surveillance.
• Makes arrests and testifies in Court; prepares incident and various special reports.
• Enforces traffic laws; investigates accidents; issues traffic citations; provides first responder medical assistance within the school and on school grounds.
• Participates in a variety of in-service and special training programs.
• Responds to and investigates disputes; assists other law enforcement agencies when assigned.
• May be assigned to collateral duty assignments such as, investigations, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent; previous law enforcement work experience preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

Valid South Carolina driver’s license. Possess a South Carolina Criminal Justice Training Academy Basic Law Enforcement certification; if candidate does not possess, it must be obtained within 1 year of hire date. Successful completion of the basic course instruction for School Resource Officers as provided or recognized by the National Association of School Resource Officers or the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. This must be obtained within 1 year of hire date.

Special Requirements:

None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of police methods, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of criminal law as it relates to juveniles and schools.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Police Department.
• Knowledge of the geography of the Town and location of important buildings.
• Skill in using firearms.
• Skill in operating a police vehicles.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with associates, the general public, school students and administration.
• Ability to carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to prepare clear reports,
• Ability to deal professionally, courteously, and fairly with the public.
• Ability to analyze situation.
• Ability to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action when dealing with hazardous circumstances.

The work is light work. The employee is frequently required to apply 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is occasionally required to exert up to 20 pounds of force to move objects. In addition, positions in this classification typically require balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, manual dexterity, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, shouting to be heard above ambient noise, visual acuity to analyze data/work with color or depth perception/determine accuracy or observe facilities/operate motor vehicles or equipment/inspect defects or fabricate parts, and walking.

Duties are regularly performed outdoors under various weather conditions with: exposure to fumes, airborne particles, and bloodborne pathogens; exposure to toxic substances, electrical hazards, and explosives; exposure to vibrations and loud noises (such as traffic); and occasionally working in cramped or high places. Work requires dealing with potentially hostile or violent individuals, performing strenuous tasks, or potentially wearing protective gear such as respirators. Duties are also performed in a moderately noisy business office with copy machines, phones, and printers along with some light foot traffic. This job requires working various shifts as scheduled.