School Safety Officer

Ball--chatham-School-District; Chatham (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Ball-Chatham School District is seeking a School Safety Officer to maintain a safe, welcoming environment across district facilities. The SSO will patrol campuses, coordinate with administrators, staff, and law enforcement, and respond to safety and security incidents following district procedures.

The role emphasizes proactive presence, de-escalation, and professional communication with students and the public.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or GED.
• Active or retired law enforcement officer in good standing with IL ILETSB.
• Ability to pass criminal background checks and district screenings.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required licenses or certifications.

Responsibilities

• Patrol and monitor buildings, grounds, entrances and parking to maintain a visible safety presence.
• Build positive relationships with students and staff and provide assistance and direction.
• Respond to safety, security, and emergency situations using sound judgment and district procedures.
• Assist administrators with maintaining a safe environment and addressing concerns.
• Assist with investigations and documenting incidents.
• Identify and report safety hazards and security concerns.
• Assist law enforcement and emergency responders as needed.
• Support safety drills and emergency preparedness activities.
• Collaborate with Safety Monitors to ensure consistent procedures.
• Participate in district safety or threat assessment teams as assigned.
• Provide security support at athletic events and district functions.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism with sensitive information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

De-escalation

Communication

Patrol/Observation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Active or retired law enforcement officer (ILETSB)

Criminal background checks and screenings

Licenses or certifications as required

Job description

School Safety Officer

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director of Safety & Security

WORK YEAR: 9-month, 175 days

BENEFITS: 2026 BCSD Enrollment Guide

SUMMARY

The School Safety Officer (SSO) supports a safe, secure, and welcoming learning and working environment for students, staff, and visitors. The SSO maintains a visible presence within assigned District facilities, builds positive relationships with students and staff, monitors school activities and facilities, and responds to safety, security, and emergency situations. The SSO works under the direction of the Director of Safety and Security and in collaboration with building administrators, Safety Monitors, law enforcement, emergency responders, and other District personnel.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Patrol and monitor assigned school buildings, grounds, entrances, common areas, parking areas, and school activities to maintain a visible and approachable safety presence.
• Build positive relationships with students and staff and provide assistance, information, and direction to students, staff, families, visitors, vendors, and members of the public.
• Respond to safety, security, behavioral, and emergency situations using appropriate judgment, de-escalation strategies and training, District procedures, and applicable law.
• Assist building administrators with maintaining a safe and orderly school environment and addressing safety or security concerns.
• Assist with investigations as assigned, including gathering information, reviewing camera footage, and documenting incidents.
• Identify and report safety hazards, suspicious activity, security concerns, and other conditions that may affect the safety of students, staff, or District property.
• Assist law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other emergency response personnel as needed.
• Support implementation of District safety procedures, emergency response protocols, drills, and other preparedness activities.
• Collaborate with Safety Monitors in the execution of daily safety and security operations, ensuring consistent application of District procedures and maintaining clear communication regarding building needs and concerns.
• Participate in District safety, threat assessment, or student support teams as assigned.
• Provide safety and security support at athletic contests, dances, extracurricular activities, and other District functions as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling student, employee, investigative, or other sensitive information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates integrity, dependability, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Remains calm and responds appropriately in stressful or emergency situations.
• Builds positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and authority.
• Uses effective de-escalation and conflict-resolution strategies.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with students, staff, families, visitors, vendors, emergency responders, and members of the public.
• Works effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Observes, gathers, documents, and communicates information accurately.
• Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information appropriately.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Active or retired law enforcement officer in good standing with prior agency and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB).
• Ability to successfully complete criminal background checks and other employment screenings required by law and District policy.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any licenses, certifications, training, or qualifications required for assigned responsibilities.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Familiarity with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies preferred.
• Experience in school-based law enforcement, security, or another youth-serving public safety setting.
• Training or experience in de-escalation, crisis intervention, emergency response, investigations, or threat assessment.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Mental Demands

• Frequently assess situations, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately to routine safety and security concerns.
• Frequently communicate effectively and professionally with students, staff, families, visitors, and emergency responders.
• Frequently maintain professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality while handling sensitive information.
• Sometimes respond to high-stress, confrontational, or emergency situations calmly and effectively.

Physical Demands

• Frequently walk, stand, and patrol indoor and outdoor areas, including stairs.
• Often operate communication and security equipment, including radios, telephones, computers, and camera systems.
• Sometimes bend, stoop, crouch, reach, or otherwise position oneself as necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Sometimes travel between District facilities and work outside the regular school day as assigned.
• Sometimes respond quickly to safety or emergency situations, including providing physical assistance or intervention consistent with training and District procedures.

Environmental Conditions

• Frequently work in active school environments with moderate noise and interaction with students, staff, and the public.
• Often work outdoors in varying weather conditions and independently while monitoring assigned areas.
• Sometimes encounter emotionally charged situations, physical altercations, emergencies, or other potential safety hazards.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and work year in accordance with recommendations established by the Superintendent of Schools. Performance will be evaluated annually based on achievement of district safety goals, staff training completion, compliance with reporting procedures, and overall effectiveness of safety operations.

EEO STATEMENT

Ball-Chatham provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of their race; color; creed; religion; national origin; sex; sexual orientation; age; ancestry; marital status; arrest record; military status; order of protection status; unfavorable military discharge; citizenship status provided the individual is authorized to work in the United States; use of lawful products while not at work; being a victim of domestic or sexual violence, or gender violence; genetic information; physical or mental handicap or disability, if otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; credit history, unless a satisfactory credit history is an established and bona fide occupations requirement of a particular position or other legally protected categories.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. This job description reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the job identified. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Revised 8/2026