Crossing Guard (SY2024-2025)

School Crossing Guards are part-time personnel (approximately 10-20 hours/week) employed and supervised by the Holyoke Police Department (HPD) to support the Holyoke Public Schools (HPS). 

Each Crossing Guard shall be issued and will be responsible for an orange reflectorized traffic vest and a handheld replica of a standard stop sign. The vest shall be worn at all times while on duty and the sign shall be used to signal traffic to stop. No other special uniforms are required. All crossing guards must familiarize themselves with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Report for duty at assigned crossing station every day that schools are in session. Duty hours are up to 2 hours in the morning and up to 2  hours in the afternoon.
• Be familiar with school schedules making special note of days when children will be dismissed early. Be prepared to adjust your personal schedules in order to be on duty at your assigned crossing guard station on these occasions.
• A Crossing Guard shall report daily to crossing stations as assigned.
• If unable to report for duty due to illness or other personal reasons, a crossing guard shall notify the liaison at the Holyoke Police Department no later than 2 hours before scheduled work time in order to give ample time for them to find a replacement. In cases of expected prolonged absences from duty, notify the HPD liaison as soon as possible.
• Reflective vests or reflective rain jackets must be worn at all times while at your station. In addition, you must remember to use your stop sign for the safety of the children as well as your own safety and well-being.
• Ensure that children use the proper crossing locations and that no children are in the street while traffic is moving.
• When stopping traffic to allow children to cross, ensure that it can be accomplished in a safe and orderly manner before signaling with the stop sign. Whenever possible, the use of walk lights is recommended.
• Instruct the children to walk (not run) across the street.
• Smoking during the shift time (AM & PM) is prohibited.
• Under no circumstances shall a crossing guard offer transportation to a student.
• The stopping of motor vehicles that commit violations and the confrontation of motorists are prohibited. However, if possible, try and obtain the make, color and registration (plate #) of the vehicle. This information should be forwarded to the Head Crossing Guard who will contact the Salem Police Department with the information.
• Report to the HPD liaison any questionable safety hazards that exist at or near their assigned crossing station. The types of hazards should include but are not limited to the following:

• Defective traffic lights or street lights
• Road defects
• Missing or obscured signs
• Improper snow plowing or snow removal
• Restricted motorist visibility due to foliage, fences, parked vehicles or other potential hazards

Qualifications

Reqiured:

• Social perceptiveness and strong eyesight
• Keen understanding of local traffic laws and regulations

Preferred:

• High school diploma or equivalent degree

• Familiarity with directing traffic using tools such as lanterns and hand signals
• Physical stamina

A school crossing guard should not direct traffic unless specifically trained as a traffic control officer.

Paper applications are available at the Holyoke Police Department and the Holyoke Public Schools Human Resources Department. HPD screens and hires crossing guards.