School Security Officer (MPMS)

Sylvania; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Sylvania is seeking a School Security Officer to help maintain a safe and orderly learning environment at Manassas Park Middle School. The role involves patrolling campus, responding to security concerns, and coordinating with administrators, staff, and law enforcement.

Requirements include a high school diploma, strong communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Certification through the Virginia DCJS is needed within a reasonable period after employment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, administrators, parents, law enforcement, and community members.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment in emergencies and high-pressure situations.
• Ability to supervise students in structured and unstructured environments.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members.
• Must meet Virginia Code and DCJS requirements for School Security Officers and obtain DCJS certification within a reasonable period.

Responsibilities

• Patrol school buildings, grounds, parking lots, and other areas to maintain safety.
• Monitor for unsafe conditions, policy violations, and suspicious activity.
• Investigate, document, and report security concerns and incidents.
• Collaborate with administrators, staff, SROs, law enforcement, and community agencies.
• Assist during emergencies, drills, evacuations, and safety preparations.
• Maintain security records, logs, and incident reports.
• Supervise and direct student movement throughout the day.
• Intervene in conflicts and de-escalate as needed.
• Build positive relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Assist with student searches and in locating students during emergencies.

Skills

Communication

Decision making

Problem solving

Conflict resolution

Calm under pressure

Student supervision

Independent work

Relationship building

Policy adherence

Emergency response

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

POSITION: SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER

LOCATION: Manassas Park Middle School

SALARY: Classified Scale, Grade 9

HOURS: Full Time, 7.5 Hours per day

POSITION LENGTH: 186 Days

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: School Administrators and Supervisor of School Safety Supervisor

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The School Security Officer is responsible for helping maintain a safe, secure, and orderly learning environment for students, staff, and visitors. This position patrols school property, responds to safety and security concerns, assists with emergency preparedness, and works collaboratively with school administrators, staff, students, families, and law enforcement to promote a positive school climate.

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, administrators, parents, law enforcement personnel, and community members.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment in emergency and high- pressure situations.
• Ability to supervise students in structured and unstructured environments.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members.
• Must meet all applicable requirements of the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Administrative Code for School Security Officers.
• Must obtain School Security Officer Certification through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) within a reasonable period after employment and maintain certification by completing all required recertification and professional development requirements, including 16 hours of in-service training every two years.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Including, but not limited to, the following):

• Patrol school buildings, grounds, parking lots, and other assigned areas to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Monitor for and report unsafe conditions, policy violations, criminal activity, and suspicious persons or vehicles.
• Detect, investigate, document, and report security concerns and incidents.
• Collaborate with school administrators, staff, School Resource Officers, law enforcement, and community agencies to share information and coordinate responses.
• Assist administrators and staff during emergencies, crisis situations, lockdowns, evacuations, fire drills, and other emergency preparedness activities.
• Maintain security records, logs, incident reports, and other required documentation.
• Monitor parking lots, entrances, exits, and other designated areas of the school campus.
• Supervise and direct student movement throughout the school day.
• Intervene in and de-escalate student conflicts in hallways, classrooms, cafeterias, restrooms, and other common areas.
• Build positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members while serving as a visible and approachable presence on campus.
• Assist administrators with student searches in accordance with School Board policy and applicable law.
• Assist in locating and accounting for students during emergencies and other situations as needed.
• Work with school administrators and law enforcement officials in addressing serious student misconduct and violations of law.
• Attend student conferences, staff meetings, and safety meetings as requested.
• Assist with student attendance and tardiness concerns as directed by administration.
• Monitor assemblies, extracurricular activities, and other school events to ensure safety and appropriate conduct.
• Participate in daily arrival, dismissal, and bus duty responsibilities.
• Escort students, visitors, or staff members as needed.
• Provide informal mentoring and positive relationship-building with students as requested by administration.
• Assist with crowd management during school events and emergency situations.
• Provide assistance to students with disabilities or other special needs during emergency drills and evacuations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the building administrator or designee.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands and working conditions described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

This position requires frequent walking, standing, and movement throughout school buildings, grounds, parking lots, and other campus areas. Occasional climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting are required. The ability to lift up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally is expected.

The School Safety Officer must be able to communicate effectively with students, staff, parents, visitors, and law enforcement; operate standard office and security equipment; maintain situational awareness; respond quickly to emergencies; and work effectively in a fast-paced school environment.

CLEARANCES (Conditions for employment):

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
• Tuberculosis Screening

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Manassas Park City School Board is an equal opportunity employer, committed to nondiscrimination in recruitment, selection, hiring, pay, promotion, retention or and other personnel actions affecting employees or candidates for employment. Therefore, discrimination in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, military status, genetic information or disability is prohibited, as required by federal and state laws and regulations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

This job description is intended to reflect the general nature and level of work performed by the employee. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other responsibilities as necessary.

Please Note: This position is currently funded as a one-year appointment for the 2026–2027 school year. While there is a possibility that funding may be extended beyond this initial term, continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding and the division's staffing needs.