Police Officer I - School Resource Officer

General Definition of Work

Upon completion or in execution of a Basic Law Enforcement Certification, the Police Officer I performs police and law enforcement work involving a variety of general police assignments, including but not limited to: enforcing laws, investigating criminal activity, ensuring the safety of the public, collecting evidence, testifying in court, maintaining files and records, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned.

This position serves as a direct placement into an elementary school within the Town of Blacksburg as a school resource officer. The School Resource Officer (SRO) is a sworn law enforcement officer assigned to an elementary school to promote a safe and secure learning environment. The SRO serves as a law enforcement officer, mentor, educator, and community liaison while fostering positive relationships among students, staff, parents, and the community.

The officer works collaboratively with school administrators to address safety concerns, prevent criminal activity, and support student success.

Additional Benefits/Bonuses

• Starting pay: $53,774 (non-certified)

• VA Certified: $54,850 - $59,371 (based on years of service and experience)

• $2500 bonus for VA Certified Officers with less than 2 years experience (payout in payments)

• $5000 bonus for VA Certified Officers with 2 or more years experience (payout in payments)

• 40 hours of recruit leave is available for VA Certified Officers

• Eligibility for Hazardous Duty Supplement through the Virginia Retirement System

• 12 hour fixed shifts (Monday-Sunday 0700-1900 / 1900-0700)

• Dedicated training unit

• Opportunities to serve with specialized units

• Tuition assistance for job-related college education after 1 year of employment ($2400/maximum per fiscal year)

• Take Home Vehicle Program

• On-site personal trainer

• Absenteeism policy: Abbreviated field training for Virginia certified Police Officers

• Shift Differential

• Eligibility for Comprehensive Benefits package including a VRS Retirement Plan; Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans; Employee Assistance Program; Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA); and wellness programs

Essential Functions

• Provide a visible law enforcement presence on school property and at school-related events

• Maintain safety and security of students, staff, and visitors through proactive patrols and threat assessment

• Respond to emergencies, criminal incidents, medical emergencies, and other situations requiring law enforcement intervention

• Investigate criminal activity, accidents, and incidents occurring on school grounds or involving students as appropriate

• Assist school administration in developing and implementing school safety and emergency response plans

• Build positive relationships with students through mentoring, counseling, and informal interactions

• Collaborate with school counselors, social workers, administrators, and community agencies to address student needs and behavioral concerns

• Enforce applicable state and local laws while exercising discretion consistent with school-based policing best practices

• Prepare reports, maintain records, and complete required documentation related to incidents and investigations

• Aid in traffic control and pedestrian safety during student arrival and dismissal periods

• Foster trust and open communication between law enforcement and the school community

• Operates a patrol vehicle safely, in emergency and non-emergency modes, or walks to observe for violations of traffic laws, suspicious activities or persons, and disturbances of law and order

• Responds to radio calls, assignments, and complaints; issues traffic citations; serves warrants, summons, etc.

• Makes arrests, completes arrest records, and testifies in court

• Operates in-car computer and related software

• Prepares detailed reports, forms, and correspondence on activities, assignments, and complaint reports

• Provides police escorts, directs traffic

• Interviews victims and witnesses to obtain necessary information regarding crime, accident, violation, etc.

• Investigates crimes, collects evidence; conducts searches; investigates traffic accidents

• Assists other law enforcement agencies when requested or assigned

• Participates in a variety of in-service and special training programs

Education

• High School Diploma or GED Certification required

• Possession of Basic Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Certification

• May be required to possess other specialized law enforcement certifications depending on departmental requirements and DCJS standards

Special Requirements

• MUST BE 21 YEARS OLD OR OLDER

• Valid state-issued driver's license with a satisfactory driving record; ability to obtain a Virginia driver's license within 90 days of employment

• Posession or ability to obtain DCJS Basic SRO certification within one year of employment

Physical Requirements

• Regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion in excess of 100 pounds of force

• Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, or smelling, lifting and running

• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision

• Vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly

• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound

• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities

• Work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires exposure to vibration, exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to the risk of electrical shock, working with explosives and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus

• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic)