Lead Safe Schools Officer

Reading School District l Reading, Pa.; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Reading School District is seeking a Lead Safe School Officer to work closely with district administrators, School Police, and first responders to maintain a safe school environment. The role involves investigations, emergency response, and coordinating safety procedures across school facilities.

The position emphasizes collaboration, incident documentation, and adherence to district policies and state laws, including FERPA.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; 3+ years in law enforcement or security, including in a school setting; management experience preferred; degree in related field preferred.
• Certified in First Aid, CPR, Tactical Handcuffing/Mechanical restraints and District authorized passive restraint training (or ability to complete on hire).
• Complete or able to complete Basic School Resource Officer Course (or approved equivalent) on hire.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with students, administrators and staff.
• Strong verbal and written skills in English with ability to compose reports.

Responsibilities

• Function as on-site Lead Security Officer and report to Director of Safe Schools with personnel performance issues.
• Collaborate with School Police Officers, Supervisors, and first responders on safety initiatives.
• Provide annual training to security staff as assigned by the Director of Safe Schools.
• Patrol buildings, monitor hallways, maintain high visibility during arrivals, departures, and class changes.
• Enforce School Board policies and confidentiality (FERPA).
• Assist in stopping disruptive or illegal behavior and monitor for weapons or contraband; conduct searches as needed.
• Prepare written incident reports and testify in court or hearings when required.
• Participate in fire drills, bomb threats and emergency evacuations.
• Ensure safety of students, staff, and district property; assist with crowd control and traffic during events.
• Coordinate with administrators for meetings and safety-related matters.

Skills

First Aid & CPR

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Initiative & follow-up

Attention to detail

Maturity & cooperation

Driver's license

Report writing

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Basic SRO training course (or equivalent)

Job description

Position Title: Lead Safe School Officer

Classification: RSSSA

Position Range: Range 6 (215)

Reports To: Director of Safe Schools (and/or his/her designee)

Position Goal: Lead School Officer shall work collaboratively with District Administrators, employees and any/all law enforcement agencies and first responders in matters concerning students conduct and discipline while at school events and during transit to and from school. Will assist in investigations, emergency response, recovery of property, and related activities to ensure a safe, secure, and orderly school environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Will assist the Director of Safe Schools in ensuring the process and procedures for payroll, attendance, and other management functions are carried out.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the law enforcement or security field, including within a school entity; experience in management in or outside of the law enforcement or security field, preferred; and Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field, preferred;
• Certified in First Aide, CPR, Tactical Handcuffing/Mechanical restraints and District authorized passive restraint training (or must be capable of successfully complete training upon hire)
• Completed or able to complete upon hire the Basic School Resource Officer Course offered by the National Association of School Resource Officers, or an approved equivalent course of instruction as determined by the administration
• Excellent analytical skills, a keen attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to work effectively and in harmony with students, administrators, and co-workers.
• Strong verbal and written skills with a proven ability to communicate effectively in English using proper grammar and vocabulary, including, but not limited to, the ability to independently compose reports.
• Proven ability to take initiative and follow up on assignments/orders.
• Ability to use standard Safe Schools Department Equipment including but not limited to: handcuffs, cell phone, first aid equipment, AED, fire extinguishers and portable radio. (Training will be provided).
• Possess personal characteristics indicative of maturity, flexibility, tactfulness, and cooperation
• Proven track record of integrity, good moral character, initiative, and even-temperedness.
• Proven track record of stellar attendance and demonstrated ability to be in regular and consistent attendance.
• Pennsylvania Driver's License and personal transportation required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Function as an on-site Lead Security Officer and be required to report to the Director of Safe Schools any/all personnel performance issues.
• Works collaboratively with School Police Officers and/or Supervisor in all aspects of the safe school initiatives.
• Works collaboratively with local and state police, other legal law enforcement agencies and first responders.
• Assists in providing annual training to the security force as assigned by the Director of Safe schools.
• Patrols assigned buildings and grounds and monitor hallways to prevent student disruptions, vandalism, illegal entry and other activities that detract from a safe school environment. Maintains a high level of visibility as students arrive and depart from school and as they change classes during the day.
• Enforce School Board policies and procedures regarding the conduct of persons on school property.
• Observe strict adherence to FERPA laws and other rules of confidentiality.
• Assist building principal and staff in stopping altercations, arguments or other forms of disruptive or illegal behavior.
• Maintains alertness to illegal substances or weapons being carried or stored on school property. Participates in random security checks. Conduct metal detector searches for contraband and illegal substances.
• Prepares required written reports of incidents and disciplinary referrals as necessary. Testify in Court or in school hearings as necessary.
• Participates in the conduct of Fire drills, Bomb threats and other building emergency evacuation drills.
• Responsible for safety of students, staff and district property from threat of harm, which may include but is not limited to, crowd control, protection of persons, quelling disturbances, and help with traffic control during school or sports events.
• Responsible for enforcing school code laws and criminal code law of the Commonwealth of PA, and Reading School District rules, policies and regulations
• Work cooperatively with and support/assist District administrators as required, which includes but is not limited to: being present at any parent / guardian meetings, discipline/discharge meetings and Board of School Directors meetings.
• Assist and support building principal and/or his/her designee in any matter related to safety or security, which includes but is not limited to controlling behavior.
• Shall not be responsible for normal classroom management or administering student discipline nor serve as a substitute teacher.
• Assist in monitoring student arrival, departures, lunches, and assemblies or any other event assigned by the Director of Safe Schools
• Responsible for notifying the building principal of any unsafe conditions, unsecured areas, or suspicious activities in school facilities.
• Assist in conducting formal investigations into incidents involving injuries to students or staff, threats to the safety of the school environment, and the theft or damage of district property.
• Wear an official uniform assigned by the Director of Safe Schools.
• Any other work that is assigned by management.
• Overtime
• This job description does not constitute an exhaustive list of responsibilities and management may revise it at any time.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Full-time 12-month non-exempt position. Salary and benefits determined by appropriate employment agreement.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of personnel.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the school district administrator designated as immediate supervisor of the position, of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

The Reading School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.