School Security Officer (SSO)

Kent ISD   

Full time, 200 day position   

Non-Union hourly Classified, Grade 2    

Broad Statement of Responsibilities

We seek community-minded, team-oriented people who have experience working with diverse communities and colleagues.  We expect our employees to foster an inclusive and welcoming educational climate that allows students and staff to flourish. Applicants must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, and demonstrate good judgment.

Experience, Education, Certifications and Trainings
Our ideal candidate will have:

• A minimum of five years of experience serving in a similar role, such as a public safety agency or other governmental organization;
• A minimum of five years of experience coordinating safety/security events with external agencies to include, but not limited to, law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency medical responders, outside security agencies, and community partners;
• Previous experience serving as a team member tasked with conducting inspections of multiple locations while not under direct supervision;
• Previous experience serving as a team member tasked with conducting and coordinating investigations;
• Previous experience working with adolescence with emotional impairments;
• Associates Degree or higher educational level in a relevant field to include criminal justice, security, corrections, or public safety;
• Strong verbal, writing, and interpersonal skills;
• Sufficient physical agility to perform assigned duties;
• CPR/First Aid/AED certifications preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• A working knowledge of the mission and function of Kent Intermediate School District (Kent ISD);
• An ability to work and thrive within a diverse employment environment;
• A knowledge of Kent ISD policies and procedures,
• A knowledge of Kent ISD security and safety procedures;
• The ability to remain calm in pressure situations;
• A knowledge of state and local criminal laws, search and seizure procedures, and the legal process;
• The ability to physically control and detain suspects;
• An ability to foster effective internal and external working relationship with individuals and organizations that reflected the diverseness of our community;
• An understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command Structure (ICS), and the Unified Incident Command (UIC) model;
• A working understanding of the structure, functions, and interrelationships of local, state, and federal emergency response agencies (e.g. local and state police, federal law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, FEMA, Emergency Management, etc.);
• A knowledge and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) or a comparable platform;
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and consensus-building skills;
• A valid driver’s license; and
• The ability to pass a criminal background check that will include a fingerprint examination.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Essential duties include:

• Patrolling all areas of Kent ISD properties, both indoors and outside (i.e., hallways, parking lots, restrooms, locker rooms, cafeteria, etc.) to prevent vandalism, theft, rules and/or law violations, loitering or any other suspicious activity.
• Conduct polite challenges of all persons entering Kent ISD properties, directing those with authorized entry to their destination and removing unauthorized persons.
• Identification of those persons responsible for violations of Kent ISD rules, and regulations or local laws.
• Obtaining a familiarity with the faculty, students, and administration at Kent ISD properties.
• As necessary, provide after-hours security at Kent ISD events to include board meetings, conferences, open houses, and other school-related functions as authorized and directed.
• Conduct and document all investigations of  safety/security-related incidents
•  Serve as a liaison for law enforcement officials during the time those officials are on Kent ISD property.
• Maintain an awareness of radio traffic and the ability to utilize proper radio procedures.
• Participation in training programs.
• Be available on an on-call status during the summer and school holidays to investigate after-hours alarm occurrences at Kent ISD properties.
• Other duties as assigned by the Kent ISD Safety/Security Director and/or Supervisor.

Building-Level Co-leadership
Successful candidates will:

• Work in concert with building leadership to support and enhance building-level safety and security efforts including both Kent ISD initiated and building-initiated efforts;
• Monitor staff readiness to respond and recover from safety and security incidents/events; and
• Work with building leadership to sustain or improve these capabilities.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the School Board may be considered. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay & Benefits:

Non-Union Hourly Classified, Grade 2 = $18.80-$19.70/hr

Robust benefit package includes full medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid sick and personal days; State of Michigan School Employment retirement program; Kent ISD is a participating employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF/ SAVE plan) for eligible Federal student loans.

Please note, due to the large number of applications, we are unable to attend to e-mail or telephone inquiries on application status.  

The final candidate for this position will be required (at their cost) to furnish Kent Intermediate School District with a current Michigan State Police and FBI criminal records LiveScan check prior to our recommendation to hire.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition), age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected basis, and prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment. The Coordinator for Title IX, Section 504, the Age Discrimination Act and Title II is: Dave Rodgers, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources