School Crossing Guard - Police Department

City of San José; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

The City of San José is seeking part-time School Crossing Guards to help ensure the safe crossing of children during school hours. This position involves approximately ten hours of work per week, with duties performed outside in all weather conditions. Candidates must be able to complete an eighth-grade education and may need a valid California driver's license.

This role requires effective communication skills, experience working with children, and the ability to recognize and address traffic hazards. All candidates must pass a background check and be willing to work a split shift as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must pass a personal background investigation as required by the Police Department.
• Valid California driver's license may be required for some assignments.
• Willingness to work split shifts during school days.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safe crossing of students at designated locations.
• Report any issues that require police attention.
• Maintain duties outside in various weather conditions.

Skills

Effective communication in English

Ability to work in all-weather situations

Experience working with children

Knowledge of traffic laws

Ability to recognize traffic hazards

Education

Completion of eighth grade

Tools

Motor vehicle access

Job description

Position Duties

The City of San Jose is recruiting for a part‑time School Crossing Guard in the Police Department during the normal school year. Work involves providing for the safe conduct of elementary and junior high school children across heavily traveled streets and reporting problems requiring possible police action. Positions may involve substituting at different corners or a regular location assignment. In general, these assignments are a split shift with approximately ten (10) hours per week. School Crossing Guards are required to work outside regardless of weather conditions and must be able to provide a uniform as specified by the Police Department. Work includes outside duties and exposure to weather. Work may include the physical ability to sit, stand, walk quickly, step up/down from the curb, reach, push and/or pull, twist and/or rotate, bend, lift and carry up to 10 pounds, use hands hold and use a stop sign the entire shift, use other hand to stop traffic and use a whistle at the same.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of eighth grade.
• Possession of a valid State of California driver's license may be required for some assignments.
• As a condition of employment, incumbents may be required to use their personal vehicles in performing the job duties.
• Incumbents opting to participate in special event traffic control assistance must complete an initial Flagger training course in accordance with Cal OSHA regulations and refresher training every three years.
• Pass a personal background investigation as required by the Police Department.
• Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. The City of San Jose will not sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1‑B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Background

Pass a personal background investigation as required by the Police Department.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and answers to the job‑specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the positions will be forwarded to be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phase of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews. Applicants deemed most competitive after application screening and oral interview will be required to pass Police Background Investigation and Medical.

Application Instructions

In addition to applying online, you may apply manually.

• Please contact Police Safety Unit at [phone] to have City of San Jose employment application mail to you along with the supplemental questions or Print and fill out the supplemental questions below.
• Mail a completed City of San Jose employment application AND supplemental questionnaire to School Safety Unit Program Manager, 6087 Great Oaks Parkway, San Jose, California 95119. Supplemental question is listed below.

Please contact the School Safety Unit Program Manager at [phone] if you have any questions.

Hard Copy Supplemental Questionnaire

• Do you possess a current valid California Driver's License? If so, include license number and expiration date. Yes/No (please circle one)
• Have you completed 8th grade? Yes / No (please circle one)
• Briefly describe your interest in this position.
• Briefly describe your experience working with children. (You may include volunteer or personal experience).
• Are you willing and able to work in bad weather? Yes / No (please circle one)
• Do you have other responsibilities or activities that might restrict your ability to work early morning, noon, and afternoon hours on school days? Yes / No (please circle one)
• Can you get around the city by reading a map? Yes / No (please circle one)
• Do you have access to a motor vehicle on a daily basis? Yes / No (please circle one)
• Are you willing and able to drive to an assigned location anywhere in the City? Yes / No (please circle one)
• May we contact you as early as six (6) a.m. for an assignment? Yes / No (please circle one)
• Are you willing and able to wear uniform? Yes / No (please circle one)
• Are you willing and able to work a split shift: 1 hour in the morning, 1 hour in the afternoon; based on a given school's schedule? Yes / No (please circle one)
• Please provide us your contact information such as email or phone number.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK WILL I BE WORKING?

A: These positions are part‑time (maximum of 10 hours a week). You will be paid a minimum of 2 hours per scheduled day. Number of hours are not guaranteed.

Q: WILL I WEAR A UNIFORM?

A: Yes. You will be required to purchase a uniform. The uniform consists of a shirt or blouse (with patches), pants, jacket, black shoes, and a hat. Approximate cost, $150 minimum. You will receive a uniform allowance in January based on the number of hours you worked the previous 12 months.

Q: WILL I BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHERE I CAN WORK?

A: No. You will be assigned to a School Safety Supervisor who will place you where you are needed.

Q: HOW SOON WILL I BE HIRED?

A: It may take several weeks before you are interviewed. If your application meets the minimum requirements we will evaluate the supplementary questionnaire. You will be assessed based on the information you have provided and then placed on the School Crossing Guard eligible list. A notice will be mailed to you indicating your status.

When the School Safety Unit is ready to interview you will be notified by mail.

The School Crossing Guard program is very important for the safety of elementary and junior high school students crossing heavily traveled intersections. We hope this supplemental information has answered some of your basic questions and that you will consider employment with the City of San Jose.

Basic Competencies (Needed at entry into the job)

• Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and writing
• Ability and willingness to work in all‑weather situations
• Experience working with children
• Knowledge of traffic laws of California and City of San Jose
• Knowledge of traffic control techniques and procedures
• Ability to recognize traffic hazards
• Ability to have access to motor vehicle on a daily basis
• Able to read city maps
• Automobile insurance coverage of at least $35,000 ($15,000‑$30,000 bodily injury, $5,000 property damage)
• Be able to work morning and afternoon shifts every school day during school start and end times
• Ability to give and follow oral instruction
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with children, parents, school officials and law enforcement
• Ability to remain calm and use judgment and initiative in an emergency situation

Additional Competencies And/Or Desirable Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Traffic control techniques and procedures
• Knowledge of the traffic laws of the State of California and the City of San Jose

Ability to

• Analyze situations and to adopt effective courses of action
• Be tactful and courteous but firm with the public

Employment Eligibility

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. The City of San Jose will not sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1‑B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job‑specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email [e-mail] and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.