School Safety Specialist

About the role

Under the direction of a High School Assistant Principal, the School Safety Specialist is responsible for supporting a safe and welcoming learning environment for students, staff, families and visitors by supervising and maintaining a safe and secure interior and exterior at the Brainerd High School. This position supports building emergency preparedness, conducts risk assessments, supports threat assessment processes, coordinates safety training and drills, and serves as a contact point with the School Resource Officer. The Safety Specialist promotes a culture of prevention, preparedness, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Check exterior doors throughout the day; ensure doors are closed, locked, and working properly; address or report doors that are propped open or not correctly secured
• Walk the exterior perimeter of the building on a frequent basis; watch for unauthorized people around the building or school grounds
• Monitor entrances during arrival, lunch, dismissal, deliveries, and busy times; direct visitors to the main entrance and visitor check-in area
• Report concerns with doors, locks, cameras, alarms, lighting, or other security equipment; keep track of door or building-security concerns that need follow-up
• Maintain a visible presence in the student parking lots; supervise parking lots during arrival, lunch, and dismissal
• Monitor parking permits and parking violations; assist with parking warnings, citations, and permit issues
• Watch for speeding, reckless driving, blocked fire lanes, and unsafe parking; monitor students leaving or returning to campus during the school day
• Watch for suspicious vehicles, vandalism, or other concerns on school property; help with traffic flow and pedestrian safety
• Communicate serious or repeated parking concerns to administration and the SRO
• Build positive relationships with students while maintaining a safe learning environment; be visible in hallways, commons areas, cafeterias, entrances, and other areas where additional supervision is needed
• Assist during passing periods, lunch, arrival, dismissal, assemblies, and special events
• Respond when administration needs help with a safety or supervision concern; assist with student conflicts or escalating situations using calm communication and de-escalation strategies
• Help locate students when needed; monitor areas where students may be gathering or avoiding supervision; communicate patterns or recurring concerns to administration
• Ensure visitors follow the school's check-in procedures; redirect visitors who enter through the wrong door or have not checked in
• Watch for visitors who are not wearing a visitor badge; help office staff with vendors, contractors, volunteers, and other visitors
• Assist with accounting for visitors, substitutes, and contractors during an emergency; report individuals who do not follow building-access expectations
• Help with lockdown, secure, hold, evacuation, shelter, severe-weather, medical, and reunification drills; support student, staff, and visitor accountability during drills and emergencies
• Assist with Raptor Emergency Management and other emergency systems used by the district
• Help maintain radios, emergency bags, maps, signs, reunification supplies, and other safety materials
• Know evacuation routes, shelter locations, AED locations, reunification sites, and other important building information
• Participate in tabletop exercises and emergency-planning activities; assist during after-action reviews and help identify needed improvements
• Work with administration, the SRO, and emergency responders as directed
• Coordinate monthly safety team meetings with administration and the school safety team; work with administration to develop meeting agendas including topics such as drills, parking, doors, supervision, incidents, facility concerns, and emergency planning
• Keep notes on decisions, action items, and needed follow-up; track whether identified concerns have been addressed
• Help update building safety plans and procedures; share meeting summaries and follow-up items with administration
• Check in regularly with building administration about priorities and concerns; carry and use a district radio
• Immediately report serious safety concerns, threats, weapons, medical emergencies, missing students, or unauthorized individuals
• Keep basic records of parking issues, door checks, exterior concerns, and significant incidents; complete incident reports when requested
• Track concerns that still need attention; help identify repeated safety problems and possible solutions
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students, staff, incidents, and security procedures
• Assist with security or supervision during school events; review camera footage when directed by administration
• Participate in required training; help with other safety-related needs as assigned by building administration
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Two year degree (or equivalent professional work experience) required; additional coursework and/or four year degree preferred
• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in school safety, crisis response/emergency management, and/or school leadership required
• Prior experience developing or implementing Incident Command System/National Incident Management System (ICS/NIMS) based emergency operation protocols and managing crisis situations required
• Computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software) required
• Certification(s) as Certified School Security Professional (CSSP), Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) preferred
• Strong knowledge of school safety and security best practices
• Knowledge of emergency management principles and the Incident Command System (ICS/NIMS)
• Must be able to obtain ICS certifications 700, 100, 200 and 300 within six (6) months of hire
• Must have or be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certification within 90 days of hire
• Ability to use behavioral threat assessment tools
• Strong crisis management and decision-making skills
• Excellent leadership and organizational abilities
• Ability to remain calm and effective during high-pressure situations
• Excellent time management, ability to maintain composure in crisis situations, maintain confidentiality and provide trauma informed support required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to present information to staff, parents, school boards, and community groups
• Experience analyzing risks and developing practical solutions
• Strong project management and planning skills
• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer
• Ability to move throughout the workspace, including walking, standing, bending, or reaching occasionally
• Must be able to move quickly during crisis situations
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, telephone, other standard office equipment and other handheld devices particular to the profession
• Visual acuity to read printed materials, digital screens, and perform work requiring close vision
• Hearing and speech abilities sufficient to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in group settings
• Occasional lifting and carrying of materials or equipment
• May be required to lift or support individuals in a crisis situation
• Ability to manage significant levels of stress, deadlines, or competing demands inherent in a school safety work environment
• Mobility to attend meetings or training sessions both on- and off-site and the ability to travel between multiple worksites as directed