School Police Officer

South Fayette Township School District

3680 Old Oakdale Road

McDonald, PA 15057

Phone: (412) 221-4542 ? Fax: (724) 693-2883

www.southfayette.org

Job Description

School Police Officer

Reports To: Superintendent

Collaborates With: local law enforcement, local emergency services personnel, school administration, staff, students, and families.

Position Overview

South Fayette Township School District is excited to announce the official start of its own Police force, and we are seeking our first School Police Officer. South Fayette School District has approximately 3,500 students across four academic buildings on one campus in South Fayette Township, PA. U.S News and World Report’s rank South Fayette Township High School in the state’s top 3%, Middle School in the top .5% and the Elementary School in the top 1%.

The School Police Officer (SPO) is responsible for ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students, staff, and visitors within the school district. The SPO oversees school security officers, implements and maintains safety protocols, provides instruction on safety and security topics, and builds positive relationships within the school community. The SPO serves as the District Safety Coordinator. The SPO also serves as a liaison between the school district and local law enforcement and emergency agencies to enhance school safety and emergency preparedness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

School Security and Oversight

• Supervise and oversee the District’s School Security Officers to ensure effective security coverage and adherence to District policies.
• Supports principals in student and/or family matters and student investigations as requested.
• Develop and enforce school safety and security plans, including crisis response procedures.
• Conduct regular assessments of school security infrastructure and recommend improvements.
• Monitor school grounds, buildings, and events to ensure a safe environment.
• Enforce District policies related to safety, security, and emergency preparedness.
• Oversee the completion of the District’s annual school discipline/safety report to PDE.
• Submit an annual safety report to the School Board at the end of each school year.

Safety Training and Instruction

• Provide training for staff, students, and families on safety protocols, emergency response procedures, and crisis management.
• Conduct active shooter drills, fire drills, lockdown drills, and other emergency preparedness exercises.
• Educate students on personal safety, bullying prevention, and digital safety.
• Offer professional development sessions for school personnel on safety awareness.
• Support the implementation of the District’s ROAR program or other similar safety instructional programs.
• Serve as a member of the District’s threat assessment teams and participate in threat assessments, as requested by principals.
• Support the District with Safe2Say reports when needed.

Building Relationships and Community Engagement

• Foster positive relationships with students, staff, and families to promote a culture of trust and safety.
• Serve as a resource for students and staff in conflict resolution and crisis intervention.
• Work closely with school counselors, social workers, and administrators to support student well-being.
• Act as a mentor and role model for students, promoting responsible decision-making and positive behavior.

Collaboration with Local Law Enforcement and District Leadership

• Maintain strong communication and coordination with local law enforcement and emergency agencies for emergency response planning.
• Lead District safety meetings and provide updates on security issues and recommendations.
• Assist with law enforcement investigations involving school-related incidents.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws regarding school safety and security.
• Leads and/or assists in any safety audit as required or requested.

Safety Hardware and Technology

• Assist in the selection of any safety and security hardware and/or technology by participating in demonstrations, webinars, vendor presentations, etc.
• Make recommendations to the District administration and Safety Committee on new hardware and/or technology to enhance the campus safety.
• Train staff or ensure that all staff are trained on any new hardware and/or technology, as applicable.
• Monitors school video surveillance to ensure functionality of equipment and software

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must meet the requirements of a School Police Officer under Pennsylvania law, including Act 44 of 2018.
• Must be a certified law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania (e.g., Act 120 Municipal Police Officers’ Training or equivalent certification).
• Prior experience in law enforcement, preferably in school-based policing, security, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of school law, juvenile justice, and student rights.
• Demonstrated ability to work with children and adolescents in a school setting.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to conduct investigations, write reports, and provide testimony in disciplinary or legal proceedings.

Physical Requirements

To effectively perform the duties of a School Police Officer, the individual must meet the following physical standards:

General Physical Fitness:

• Maintain overall good health and fitness to handle emergencies.

Strength & Endurance:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds (e.g., moving barricades, assisting injured individuals).
• Stamina to stand, walk, or patrol for extended periods throughout the school day.
• Capability to run short distances in emergencies.

Mobility & Agility:

• Ability to quickly navigate school buildings, stairwells, hallways, and outdoor areas.
• Readiness to crouch, kneel, or assume tactical positions when needed.
• Capability to react swiftly in dynamic situations.

Hearing & Vision:

• Normal hearing (with or without aids) to detect sounds of distress, alarms, and unauthorized activity.
• Vision of at least 20/40 corrected to accurately assess situations and identify individuals.
• Ability to read small print and screens for security monitoring.

Hand-Eye Coordination & Motor Skills:

• Proficiency in handling security equipment, including radios, safety tools, and firearms (if required).
• Ability to restrain individuals when necessary, using appropriate force techniques.

Environmental Tolerance:

• Capability to work in various weather conditions if assigned to outdoor patrols.
• Ability to work in high-stress environments and respond effectively to crises.

Additional Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in all interactions.
• Understand and uphold District policies and follow expectations per the staff and student handbooks.
• Ensure that all aspects of the SPO position, including training, certifications, qualifications, policies, and similar expectations are up to date and in place.
• Attend school board meetings and provide periodic safety reports as needed.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training related to school policing and emergency response.
• Be available for emergency calls and incidents outside of normal school hours.
• Represent the District in regional safety meetings.
• Prepares and completes the annual safety budget.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

This position plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff while fostering a positive and secure educational environment.

South Fayette Township School District offers a comprehensive total rewards program including full medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement through the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System (PSERS), generous time off (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and holidays), professional development opportunities, life insurance, and an employee assistance program to support you in so many ways.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.