School Police Officer

JOB ASSIGNMENT: CSIU school-aged center-based educational programs
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP: The School Police Officer reports directly to the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placements, and in their absence, the Assistant Executive Director/Chief Academic Officer.
JOB DEFINITION: The School Police Officer will have the responsibility of maintaining and protecting a safe and secure school environment for educators and students.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Build positive law enforcement relationships with building administrators, staff, students and parents.
2. Respond to emergency situations in program buildings.
3. Perform other related duties as authorized by 24 PA P.S. section 778, School Code Regulation as related to School Police Officers.
4. Conduct investigations of criminal activities on school property and reported cases of student, staff and parent misconduct that compromise the health, safety and security of the school operations, while ensuring that evidence is collected and preserved.
5. Provide security for various school activities as directed.
6. Work in conjunction with the building administrators and local emergency response agencies to develop plans and strategies to prevent or minimize dangerous situations near and on school property, in school buildings, or involving students at school related activities.
7. Instruct programs designed to educate students, staff, parents and community members in the rule of law, crime prevention, drug/alcohol awareness and prevention, and community safety programs in collaboration with the CSIU building administrators and local emergency response agencies.
8. Perform routine walk-through and visual surveillance footage inspections of school property, including but not limited to inspection of doors, landings, parking lots and drop-off zones to prevent disruptive or criminal actions, or unauthorized access and respond according to school procedures and make recommendations to the CSIU administrators and local emergency response agencies.
9. Act as a liaison between the CSIU and local emergency response agencies on school matters.
10. Cooperate with law enforcement officials in all student matters under their investigation within related CSIU policies with notification of the CSIU building administrator.
11. Monitor traffic and parking on and around school property, opening entrances/gates, and directing traffic as needed to ensure efficient traffic patterns.
12. Prepare necessary investigative reports and logs for CSIU building administrator.
13. Assist in conflict resolution efforts.
14. Provide professional development for staff and students including conducting tabletop exercises, participating/leading safety drills and lead student safety presentations.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Perform other related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or designee.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent General Education Diploma (GED) is required.

• Successfully completed basic training as required by the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal police education and training) or have graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, been employed as a State trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police, and separated from that service in good standing.
  • Successfully complete the Basic School Resource Officer Course of Instruction offered by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) or an equivalent course of instruction approved by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Will consider applicants willing to complete the Basic School Resource Officer Course of Instruction or equivalent approved course prior to employment start date as a School Police Officer.
  • Minimum ten (10) years of work experience as a certified Police Officer including serving as a Pennsylvania State Police officer, in local police department or as a School Police Officer is required.
  • CPR and First Aid Certification required.
  • Weapons Proficiency Qualifications and Current Certification required.
  • Candidates must have a strong emphasis on student success, community-oriented policing and have the necessary skill sets to safely resolve incidents through active listening and de-escalation techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to communicate and work effectively with colleagues, co-workers, community agency personnel, and students/trainees.
• Requires the ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships using tact and diplomacy and to remain calm in unpredictable situations.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding education programs, students and parents at all times adhering to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements to protect staff and student data.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

1. Maintain requirements to keep Police Officer credentials current and in good standing.
2. Participates in annual in-service training approved by the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) and any ongoing National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) continuing education course requirements and any other training designated by CSIU administration.
3. Attendance at regional CSIU School Safety and Security meetings required.
4. Attend Professional Leadership Day and other in-service programs for staff.
5. Attend other professional development activities as required by the Director of Special Education or Assistant Executive Director/Chief Academic Officer or designee.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (revised Act 15 of 2015).
• Current, approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours training every five (5) years.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary: Able to sit for extended periods of time, occasional walking, standing (as necessary) and able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Dexterity: Finger movements (computer keyboard, calculator), eye-hand coordination (office equipment, etc.).
• Audio-Visual Requirements: Within normal range with or without correction.
• Is able to move throughout all buildings, floors and grounds.
• Worksite Environment: Primarily indoors-office setting with occasional exposure to outdoor elements/climate during the day.
• Mental demands: Steady response to unpredictable situations, ability to remain calm and productive during stressful situations. Demonstrates independent judgment, discretion and is able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to travel to various work site locations and meetings as needed.
• Physical Requirements: Be able to pass a physical agility assessment.

TIME AND SITE REQUIREMENTS:

1. This is a part time non-exempt position not to exceed 29 hours per week or in combination with any additional CSIU part-time positions. Additional working hours must be pre-approved by immediate supervisor. This position works up to 180 days per year and follows the schedule of CSIU school-aged center-based educational programs.
2. Attendance at work is a requirement of this position. All absences must be approved by the director.

CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment, or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.
2. The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services and other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state and federal laws and regulations.
3. The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled "Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too" and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform their supervisor and the Director of Human Resources of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.