KIND OF WORK: Under general supervision, performs responsible law enforcement work in providing protection for students, faculty and visitors to school campuses and working within the school system to build positive relationships among students, faculty and the police.  Work requires a working knowledge of techniques, methods, and procedures used in policing activities.  Contacts require skills in understanding human behavior and those factors that influence behavioral changes and are critical in adversarial and confrontational situations.  Work follows standard operating procedures; however, the employee has the latitude to determine what procedure or precedent to follow based on the work situation.  The School Safety Officer will serve as a resource throughout the school system and will be required to perform the functions of law enforcement officer, educator and counselor while becoming an integral member of the school community. This is done through proactive prevention and diversion programs, as well as normal policing procedures. The Officers are responsible for campus patrol, initial case investigations, and subsequent follow-up and, when necessary, making arrests. The Officers also provide classroom presentations and counsel students and parents to foster a better understanding of law enforcement.  Employees are charged with enforcing all local ordinances and state statutes as they pertain to their assignment.  Work is considered hazardous due to the nature of the duties.  Collaborates with the School Principal in the performance of duties; however, in the chain of command reports to a School Police Lieutenant who reviews work through written reports and personal conferences, usually after the fact, in terms of quality, timeliness, and for adherence to established methods, standards, policies, and achievement of desired results. 

EXAMPLES OF WORK:  (Not intended to be all inclusive)

• Patrol school campuses and responds to emergency situations on the campus and adjacent areas.
• Prepares detailed reports of findings for use by School Investigators and other law enforcement personnel.
• Detains and/or arrests perpetrators of offenses against school personnel or property when necessary.
• Meets with school principal(s)/administrators on a daily basis.
• Develop good working relationships with school faculty and staff to include assisting with criminal and non-criminal issues at school sites.
• Refer students and their families to the appropriate agencies for assistance when a need is determined.
• Attend meetings of parent groups and faculty-wide in-service sessions when needed.
• Refrain from functioning as a school disciplinarian.
• Be available for conferences with students, parents and faculty members to assist with problems related to law enforcement and crime prevention.
• Confer with the school administration to develop strategies to prevent or minimize dangerous situations on or near the campus.
• Promote citizen awareness of law enforcement efforts on campus to ensure the peaceful operation of school related programs and build support with students.
• Whenever possible attend school functions or extracurricular school events.
• Originate police reports on any incident of a police nature and follow the existing procedures as required by Duval County Public School Police Department.
• Conduct threat assessments utilizing Duval County Public School Police Department procedures.
• Provide a program of educational leadership to the students, parents and faculty addressing tobacco, alcohol, other drug issues, gang activity, violence diffusion, violence prevention, crime prevention, and safety issues in the school community.
• Act as a communication liaison with law enforcement agencies; provide basic information concerning students on campuses served by the officer.
• Take steps appropriate and consistent with a law enforcement officer’s duty when a crime occurs.
• Gather information regarding potential problems such as criminal activity, gang activity, student unrest, and identify particular individuals who may be a disruptive influence to the school and or students.
• Performs related duties as required.

 KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of law enforcement techniques, methods, and procedures.
• Knowledge of security principles and practices.
• Knowledge of public school and child-related laws, rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of School Board facilities and grounds.
• Knowledge of Duval County's geographical make up.
• Knowledge of intrusion alarm systems.
• Skill in the operation of automobiles, firearms, and other law enforcement equipment.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and apply job-related information to include laws, ordinances, and school board policies.
• Ability to work with youth and the ability to gain respect of adolescents and teenagers while holding them accountable for their actions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively.
• Ability to act quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and firmly, courteously, and tactfully handle situations and enforce laws with respect for the rights of others.
• Ability to observe and recall such things as incidents, facts, and order or sequence of events.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and to promote good public relations.
• Ability to keep records and prepare reports.
• Ability to compose and write legibly.
• Ability to physically withstand long hours of standing and/or walking.
• Ability to pursue, apprehend, and restrain persons.
• Ability to apply personal defense techniques.
• Ability to administer basic first aid.

OPEN REQUIREMENTS:   Must have had at least one year of law enforcement experience.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:   Must possess and maintain current Certification by the State of Florida as a law enforcement officer during employment in this class.   Must complete the State of Florida School Resource Officer (SRO) Basic Training Course during the probationary period.  A valid Florida Driver’s License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained during employment in this class.

NOTE:  The probationary period for this class is one year.