School Resource Officer (Police Officer II [Certified/Sworn])

Salary: $55,328.00 – $60,174.40 Annually.

Essential Functions:

• Provide a police presence in Harrisonburg City Schools to deter crime and provide a positive role model.
• Assist with the continued safety and security of the schools, including door checks, lunchroom patrol, hall monitoring, and monitoring of bus loading and unloading.
• Assist school administration with disruptive students and visitors.
• Provide assistance to suicidal and depressed students, including taking appropriate measures to ensure that they get professional counseling such as family assistance or TDO.
• Assist guidance counselors with various issues concerning student disagreements or fights.
• Attend monthly faculty meetings.
• Meet with school administration on a daily basis to share information and plans of action.
• Instruct law-related classes to students and faculty.
• Establish and maintain good rapport with students and faculty.
• Apply crime prevention techniques to improve the safety and security of the school.
• Act as a mentor to students to improve relations and decrease criminal/disruptive behavior.
• Serve on the school safety committee and other related safety committees as required.
• Attend various School Resource seminars and conferences to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the best strategies for the School Resource Officer Program and a working knowledge of current juvenile law.
• Investigate crimes that occur within the school and those that occur in the community that are related to school activities.
• Communicate with School Administration regarding appropriate punishment/prosecution of crimes in the school involving students.
• Establish a system of crime reporting within the school to prevent negative peer pressure among the students.
• Establish programs/procedures to reduce truancy problems, including periodically patrolling youth hangout areas such as malls and other locations.
• Coordinate and be actively involved in youth programs such as PULSAR and Explorers.
• Communicate with patrol officers and investigators frequently to exchange information regarding juvenile crimes related to the middle and high schools.
• Assist the Crime Prevention Unit with activities, such as child fingerprinting, child safety seat inspections, Police Department tours for children, and other related events as required.
• Attend and participate in events, such as Neighborhood Watch meetings, Citizen Advisory Meetings, National Night Out, parades, public education events, and other public-related events.
• Perform all the duties of a Patrol Officer when required.
• Perform all other duties as required.

Requirements:

• Currently certified as a Law Enforcement Officer through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Federal Government or another state.
• High School Diploma or GED. College Degree or Military Experience, preferred.
• 21 years of age at time of application.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien with an application for Naturalization filed and pending with Immigration Services, if DCJS-approved.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable record per City policy.
• Availability to work a shift assignment that coincides with school hours and be available outside of these hours, as needed.
• Must live or be willing to move within a one (1) hour drive of Harrisonburg, VA.