School Safety Officer

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation accrual

Paid holidays

Job summary

BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking a School Safety Officer to patrol campus properties on foot, enforce district policies, and respond to emergencies. You will assist police, provide first aid, and prepare incident reports to support a safe learning environment.

duties include de-escalation, coordinating with administrators, and maintaining security equipment. This role requires reliable, community-focused service and adherence to safety procedures.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school and two years security, law enforcement or related experience.
• Incumbents must complete SB 1626 coursework or equivalent certification prior to employment.
• Uniform requirement as specified by the District.

Responsibilities

• Patrol school properties and adjacent areas on foot to protect students, staff and property.
• Enforce district policies and report improper or unsafe behavior.
• Respond to emergencies and administer first aid as needed.
• Provide information and referrals and de-escalate conflicts among students and staff.
• Assist police officers in responding to incidents and preserve evidence as needed.
• Prepare clear incident reports for district administration and police.

Skills

Patrol/Observation

De-escalation

Interpersonal communication

Report writing

First aid/CPR

Education

High school diploma + 2 years security experience

Tools

Two-way radio

Video monitoring equipment

Computer

Job description

Basic Function

Under the direction of an assigned administrator, patrol school properties on foot to provide security, safety and protection to students, personnel, equipment and property; enforce laws and regulations; respond to emergency situations; model and reinforce a positive school environment.

Representative Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Patrol school properties and adjacent areas; protect students, personnel, equipment and property by performing inspections on foot for unsafe conditions, illegal acts and unauthorized persons on and around designated properties
• Enforce District and school site policies, procedures, rules and regulations regarding campus safety, security and appropriate student behavior, correcting improper, unsafe, unruly activities and reporting infractions to school administration
• Respond to emergency situations and administer first aid as needed; assist injured or ill persons; respond to calls involving alarms, thefts, disturbances, vandalism and malicious mischief in, or around school grounds; investigate situations and disturbances; collect and preserve evidence, take statements and support administrators in investigating incidents
• Serve as a resource for individual students to discuss issues, provide information and make referrals to appropriate personnel; utilize strategies to mitigate and de-escalate conflicts between student/student, student/staff, and other individuals on campuses
• Assist police officers in responding to and investigating incidents involving assault, battery, illegal substance possession and use and other illegal acts occurring on school grounds
• Prevent entry and report presence of unauthorized persons on school grounds; notify law enforcement and detain suspects; assist or direct unauthorized persons to the correct location when on legitimate school business or escort unauthorized persons off campus and notify District administrators
• Control foot traffic and provide security at school functions; may control parking and safe movement of vehicles in parking areas as needed; enforce District parking regulations
• Prepare and maintain reports related to security of school premises and student referrals and incidents; provide documentation related to illegal activity to District administrators and police
• Assure the safety of District students, staff and property; patrol assigned school site areas on foot before, during and after school hours; monitor and inspect security of doors, windows and gates
• Investigate and report unusual, suspicious or criminal activities; investigate complaints and security notifications related to trespassing, loitering, vandalizing and other criminal activities; assure visitors on District properties have appropriate permits
• Communicate with District personnel, law enforcement and fire and safety personnel to receive and exchange information related to security, vandalism, crimes and investigations of safety issues; testify in court and expulsion hearings as needed
• Assist in the implementation and facilitation of the school safety and disaster preparedness plans; review and assist with lockdown, shelter-in-place and evacuation procedures, first aid and communication procedures and duties as assigned
• Provide information and respond to inquiries from students, staff and visitors
• Respond to and report fire and safety hazards; respond to fire and burglar alarms and extinguish small fires; summon and communicate with police and fire department personnel as needed
• Administer emergency first aid and CPR/AED as necessary; arrange for emergency medical services as needed
• Operate a computer, a hand-held radio, video monitoring equipment, and other job-related equipment
• May assist with the supervision of students in detention or Saturday School and maintain appropriate records related to the assignment
• Maintain orderly control of large crowds to ensure safety of students and staff; enforce safety regulations at District events or as assigned

Other Duties

Perform related duties as assigned

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge Of

• Methods, procedures and practices of effective student safety and security
• Procedures and laws of mandated reporting
• School security policies, procedures and regulations
• Crowd and traffic control techniques
• Health and safety regulations
• Standard broadcasting procedures of a hand-held two-way radio system
• Investigation and report writing techniques
• Record-keeping techniques
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and professionalism
• Oral and written communication skills
• First aid and CPR/AED techniques
• De-escalation and mitigation techniques

Ability To

• Preserve and protect students, personnel and organizational property
• Enforce applicable laws, rules and regulations
• Analyze situations quickly and adopt a safe and effective course of action
• Report and respond to fire and safety hazards
• Apprehend and restrain individuals that pose immediate threat
• Interview witnesses, complainants and suspects
• Organize and write clear and concise reports of incidents
• Administer first aid, CPR and AED
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Communicate effectively with diverse populations including but not limited to, students, staff, administrators and the public
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Operate a computer, two-way radio, video monitoring equipment and other job-related equipment

Education, Experience And Other Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and two years security, law enforcement or related experience

Licenses And Other Requirements

Incumbents in this classification are required to complete coursework and receive the SB 1626 and/or other mandated certification prior to commencing employment.

Incumbents in this classification are required to wear the designated District School Safety Officer uniform as provided by the District.

Working Conditions and Additional Information

Environment

• Outdoor environment
• Possible fights and confrontations
• Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions
• Evening or variable hours

Physical Demands

• Standing, walking or sitting for extended periods of time
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate school safety and security equipment
• Walking and running
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information
• Seeing to monitor student behavior, to read and to prepare reports
• Physical agility and stamina to apprehend and restrain individuals
• Bending at the waist and kneeling
• Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally
• Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects and persons typically weighing up to 100 pounds

Hazards

• Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals
• Possible fights and confrontations
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions
• Working at heights
• Contact with blood borne pathogens infectious diseases and body fluids
• May come in contact with armed and dangerous individuals

SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown and increases are granted at intervals based on satisfactory service.

BENEFITS (FOR PERMANENT EMPLOYEES): Health plans provide for full coverage for employees and family in the area of medical and dental insurance to a negotiated maximum. All employees who work an average regular assignment of less than 5-1/2 hours a day (.72 FTE or less) shall be entitled to health insurance coverage and dental insurance coverage on a pro-rated basis. This position is covered by Social Security and may be eligible for California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), with joint employee and employer paid contributions. Current members of CalPERS working in other California state, county, city, and school districts can transfer retirement service credit to the District. All employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistant Program (EAP). The District also offers various optional benefits including life insurance, short term disability, Vision Service Plan (VSP), and a medical and dependent care flexible spending option.

VACATION: Regular, non-management, District employees shall accrue vacation as follows:

• 1-3 Years: Ten (10) working days per year until he/she has completed four (4) years of service.
• 4-9 Years: Fifteen (15) working days per year until he/she has completed ten (10) years of service.
• 10-14 Years: Twenty (20) working days per year until he/she has completed fifteen (15) years of service.
• 15+ Years: Twenty-five (25) working days per year.
• Regular twelve (12) month employees shall accrue two (2) additional days of vacation per year at each step indicated above.

HOLIDAYS: Annual employees receive seventeen (17) paid holidays per year:

• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Holiday (3 Days)
• Winter Board Holiday (3 Days)
• New Year's Holiday (2 Days)
• Martin Luther King's Birthday
• Lincoln's Birthday
• Washington's Birthday
• Spring Board Holiday
• Malcolm X's Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• School Year employees may receive sixteen (17) paid holidays, including all of the above except Independence Day (4th of July).

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Classified employees may also participate in professional development activities to enhance their careers.

Health And Character Investigations: Candidates selected for appointment may be required to pass a medical examination given by a Commission-designated physician to determine physical fitness for District employment. The Commission may disqualify any eligible candidates on the basis of the examining physician's report. The District also conducts a fingerprinting background check for all potential candidates for hire. All convictions must be declared and explained on the application; failure to do so will automatically disqualify the application. Tuberculosis tests must be completed and a negative result must be supplied prior to beginning work.