SY26-27 School Resource Officer Patrol/K-9 Handler

TrulyHired; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is seeking a Police K-9 Handler (Operations Patrol Officer) to provide security and crime prevention across district properties. The officer will manage traffic control, investigations, and canine deployments as needed to protect students and staff.

Responsibilities include staying visible on campuses, executing arrests when required, and maintaining certifications. This role may involve after-hours events and travel within the county.

Qualifications

• GED or high school diploma required from GaDOE-approved institution.
• Police academy or training in security procedures and investigation.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Responsibilities

• Enforces regulations to ensure safety of district property, personnel, and students.
• Maintains high visibility on campus to safeguard property and people.
• Investigates incidents and writes appropriate reports.
• Interviews, apprehends, arrests, transports, books, and advises suspects.
• Responds to alarms and determines appropriate actions.
• May work events after hours as needed.
• Attend training to maintain narcotics/explosives detection certification.

Skills

Criminal law knowledge

Police procedures

Communication skills

Emergency equipment operation

Crowd control

Written reports

Education

GED or HS diploma

Police academy training

Equivalents accepted

Tools

Police radio equipment

Vehicle operation

Job description

Job Description

PRIMARY FUNCTION

This position is responsible for maintaining high visibility on school property to prevent and respond to crimes against district property, students and personnel. The K-9 handler (Operations Patrol Officer) is responsible for all aspects of police protection and related activities, including but not limited to traffic control, crime prevention, criminal investigation, and the protection of BOE property. This officer decides when it is appropriate to involve the police canine or leave him in the vehicle.

REPORTS TO

Operations Sergeant

SALARY SCHEDULE

108

WORK DAYS

250

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• A GED or a standard high school diploma from a GaDOE-approved and accredited institution is required.
• Police academy or training in specific areas of security procedures and investigation.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred

• Previous experience in law enforcement.

Licenses, Certifications, and other Requirements

• Certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training council (POST) as a police officer
• Must be able to complete K-9 handler training certification and re-certification
• Must pass a Background Investigation with Polygraph.
• Criminal History Record and Sex Offender Registry Checks.
• Must pass a Drug Test.
• Must maintain a valid Georgia driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred

• None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic law to include criminal and civil statues.
• Knowledge of police procedures, Criminal Code of Georgia, Juvenile Court Code, and Basic Law Enforcement.
• Communication skills, including clarity, tact, courtesy, and calm during stressful situations.
• Ability to operate emergency equipment, weapons, and motor vehicles.
• Ability to maintain crowd control.
• Ability to work rapidly and accurately with names, codes, and symbols.
• Ability to prepare accurate and concise written reports.
• Ability to maintain security of confidential materials.
• Ability to judge when to act independently and when to refer situations to supervisor.
• Ability to work cooperatively with employees, students, parents, and the public.
• Ability to work with principals, administrators, and other school personnel with regard to juvenile or adult offense and to arbitrate for restitution.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written communications.
• Ability to work with principals, administrators, and other school personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out but may be considered incidental in the performance of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties herein described.

Enforces regulations and procedures in order to ensure the safety of district property, personnel, and students.

Maintains high visibility on school campus in order to safeguard district property; maintains safety of students and staff.

Investigates incidents related to burglary, theft, arson, malicious mischief, criminal trespass, and assaults; and writes appropriate reports.

Interviews, apprehends, arrests, transports, books, and advises suspects of certain constitutional rights.

Responds to silent alarm calls and fire alarm calls to determine cause and take appropriate action.

Conforms to prescribed safety standards.

Attends required meetings and participates actively in work groups or training assignments and community outreach initiatives.

Performs other duties as necessary for the safe and effective operation of the school and district.

May be required to work events such as sporting events, meetings, concerts, graduations, and/or any other related type of activities after and beyond normal working hours.

Required to attend training as defined in departmental policy and in accordance with the best practices to maintain certification as a narcotics/explosive detection certified handled.

Operates equipment to include mobile and portable radios, telephone, copier, computer keyboard, and calculator.

Operates equipment safely and reports any unsafe work condition or practice to supervisor.

Focused Area Assignments: Patrol

• Patrols areas to enforce laws so that person and property are protected from unlawful or dangerous activity: to include drives/walks/bicycles assigned area looking for illegal or suspicious activity.
• Responds to calls for service/accidents/complaints
• Provides high visibility deterrent. Performs security checks of BOE Property.
• Explains laws, makes arrests, enters narrative report in computer, and takes person to jail for booking.

Focused Area Assignments: K-9 Handler

• Completes initial training with the animal.
• Conducts daily and periodic training and retraining according to
• State/National Certification.
• Maintains vehicle and specialized equipment.
• Decides on use of dog depending on situation/time of day.
• Gives canine commands and monitors performance (tracking, narcotics search, evidence search, indoor search).
• Provides canine care Twenty-four (24) hours per day; housing canine at home.
• Conducts presentations/demonstrations at schools and other groups.
• Performs other duties as necessary for the effectiveness of the organization.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System has the right to revise this job description at any time and it does not in any way represent a contract of employment. Incumbents will be considered "at will" and appropriate pay will be determined based on the assigned pay grade and allowable experience.

This position is considered to be "essential personnel, critical staff" when there is an event that creates security challenges or disruptions to district operations. This position may be required to work during identified periods of an emergency as defined in Policy Regulation GBRB-R, Title: Professional Personnel Time Schedules.

Work Environment

Employees in this classification are normally exposed to a typical school or related campus environment. There will be prolonged periods of standing or walking, and there may be frequent bending, stooping, or stretching. There are occasions that require the lifting or pulling of equipment or supplies, running, or other demanding physical activity. Reading, listening, writing, and speaking are requirements. There are occasional exceptional physical or sensory demands that may include exposure to unfavorable or potentially dangerous conditions.

Duties are performed primarily in an office setting; requires travel to various locations of Chatham County and other locations throughout the United States as required.

Requires driving a county vehicle.

Performs work safely in accordance with department safety procedures and the County Safety Program.

Exceptional Physical or Sensory Demands

Sitting or standing for extended periods with limited control over rest periods.

Other: Incumbents may be required to restrain students or adults in potentially violent situations. There may be circumstances that require climbing, stooping, lifting, running, crawling, and other demanding physical activity. Eyesight may be corrected but must be very good even in low light. Long periods of seated travel by car between locations will be required.

Incumbents carry firearms and must be willing to use them if necessary.