School Security Officer for Sacred Heart Catholic School and Morning Star - Pinellas Park Catholic School

Role Description

School Security Officers in the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of St. Petersburg work to create a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors. Their primary roles are to aid in the prevention and abatement of active assailant incidents and deter criminal activity on school/parish premises. All School security officers must be appropriately vetted through the Sheriff’s office, properly licensed and trained according to the laws of the State of Florida, and in compliance with all policies of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg.

School Security Officers report to the principal and must meet all requirements of the school’s faculty/staff handbook.

A School Security Officer’s responsibilities follow:

1. Maintain a visible presence on the school campus by engaging in frequent patrols, both within the school building(s) and throughout the entire campus.
2. Assist with morning and afternoon pickup as directed by the principal.
3. Assist the principal with emergency plans, procedures, and drills to the extent possible.
4. Accompany students to weekly Mass.
5. Assist with the monitoring of school video cameras as directed by the principal.
6. Directly engage any person who presents an immediate threat to the life and/or safety of students, staff, and school visitors while on school premises.
7. Notify the police in the event of non-life-threatening criminal behavior on or near the school premises.
8. Assist in all safety/security-related tasks as requested by the principal.
9. Be present at various stakeholder meetings as requested by the principal to maintain an orderly, calm environment.

Job Requirements

Personal Requirements

All School Security Officers participate in the Ministry of Protection. As such, they are called to safeguard the lives of everyone in the school community, while on campus. Given their critical role and representation of the Catholic school and the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, they are required to conduct themselves with the highest degree of safety, professionalism, and moral character. Further, they must possess excellent communication and relational skills with children and adults in a Catholic school environment.

Security-related Requirements

1. Must be appointed by the principal or head of school with permission from the Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Centers.
2. Maintain active, full compliance with all State laws pertaining to school security for private schools, including all appropriate training, licenses, and permissions from the County Sheriff where the school resides.
3. Successful completion of all DOSP and Clearinghouse Safe Environment and Background checks.

Term and Hours of Employment

School Security Officers shall work a minimum of one hundred and eighty (180) school days and such other days as the Principal may establish as being essential to this position (examples include days for training, open house, graduation, parent-teacher conferences, etc.) The arrival and departure time for the School Security Officer shall be determined by the Principal.