Position Type:
Security/School Police Officer - 10Mo. approx.. 210 days
Date Posted:
6/17/2026
Location:
Penns Valley High School
Closing Date:
06/29//2026 at 12pm
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: School Police Officer (Armed)
Personnel Category: Contracted
Immediate Supervisor: Superintendent or Designee
Qualifications:
Education: minimum of a High School Diploma or GED; Associate Degree or higher preferred
Required Training: Successful completion of basic training as required by the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal police education and training) Act 120 or have graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, been employed as a State trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police/Municipal Police Officer, and separated from that service in good standing. Hold and maintain all training for school police officers as required including Act 67 of 2019. Hold and maintain Law Enforcement Firearm Certification as required by statute. Reference: Pennsylvania Act 120 of 1974, Act 67 of 2019, Act 91 of 2019, Act 44 of 2018, as amended
Experience: minimum of ten years of experience in law enforcement; working knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations; PA State Police Academy training or equivalent.
Additional Support Experience: Professional experience in juvenile justice, alcohol and substance abuse, adolescent mental health, and other phenomena that impact the health, safety, and welfare of minors; Can acquire additional skills deemed necessary by the Penns Valley Area School District Superintendent
Can demonstrate an aptitude for doing the work listed below using appropriate methods, materials, technology, and equipment; Can relate well with other school employees, with students, and with the visiting public; Can understand and follow directions; Can perform assigned tasks with thoroughness, initiative, responsibility, and accountability; Can readily adapt to changing situations.
Job Summary:
To ensure a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all students and staff by enforcing good order in school buildings, district transportation, and on school grounds throughout the Penns Valley Area School District; appropriately exercising all lawfully authorized powers, including the powers to cite and/or detain; and developing and maintaining positive relationships with students and their families through mentoring and respectful, courteous interactions.
Major Duties & Responsibilities:
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Patrol all Penns Valley Area School District properties and surrounding areas to identify physical conditions that pose a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of staff and/or students and notify the appropriate administrator or authorities to address the conditions.
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Patrol and monitor activities by foot and/or vehicle before, during, and after the school day as well as when the District is closed for inclement weather.
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Perform security checks of school buildings to include doors are secure, and report safety concerns.
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Provide security for extracurricular activities as assigned.
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Report to the Building Principal and Physical Plant Director, as appropriate, all physical safety and maintenance concerns that pose a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of students and/or staff, including: malfunctioning equipment, unlocked windows and doors, unmonitored hallways, etc.
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Exercise lawfully authorized powers to investigate violations of the Code of Student of Conduct, Crimes Code, and other applicable laws.
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Cite, detain, and/or refer for additional investigation and/or prosecution of individuals for violations thereof in conformity with federal, state, and local law as well as District policies and procedures.
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At no time shall any SPO engage in the discipline of a student or act in the capacity of a substitute teacher.
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Conduct investigations, as assigned, to include the identification of participants, the collection of physical and/or testimonial evidence, preparation of witness lists, and maintenance of proper records.
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Actively take part in all phases of the prosecution of authorized offenses.
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Refer appropriate criminal matters to the Pennsylvania State Police for investigation and/or prosecution.
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Lawfully intervene, de-escalate, establish and maintain control of individuals involved in dangerous and/or potentially criminal behavior pending further authorized action by district personnel or Pennsylvania State Police.
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Plan and deliver regular professional development, as assigned, to professional and support staff, on relevant topics, including bullying, hazing, vaping, juvenile justice, gang activity, drug and substance abuse, situational awareness, threat assessment, and crisis response, and other phenomena that impact the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff.
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Plan and deliver, under the supervision and direction of certificated professionals, age-appropriate lessons to District students on issues that impact their health, safety, and welfare, as assigned, and/or upon request.
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Participate in parent engagement activities in coordination with building administration, as assigned.
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Attend mandated in-service trainings as required.
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Attend meetings with local law enforcement agencies and other first responders, upon invitation or by assignment, to keep apprised of local trends that impact the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff, including alcohol and substance use, gang activity, and crisis response.
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Act as a District liaison to local law enforcement agencies, as assigned.
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Assist the School Safety Coordinator with the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the Penns Valley Area School District, including best practices for dealing with potential threats in the school, safety drills, breaking up fights, and de-escalation techniques.
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Assist building administrators to design and implement safety plans to protect students and/or staff following critical incidents.
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In conjunction with the School Safety Coordinator, coordinate efforts to obtain funding through Safe Schools grants or other funding resources.
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Assist in the preparation and management of the designated budget.
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Monitor the District-wide video surveillance system and transportation cameras when needed for investigative purposes.
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Support and assist building administrators, as requested, during parent/guardian meetings, discipline/discharge meetings, and Board of School Directors meetings.
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Maintain accurate and reliable records and provide the same to the School Safety Coordinator and building administration.
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Participate in the planning, conduct of, and after-action evaluation of emergency drills.
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Maintain alertness to illegal substances or weapons being carried or stored on school property.
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Support building administration, and staff, in de-escalation strategies and mediations, as needed.
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Assist building administration, and supervise and coordinate safe schools personnel during active emergency events or other formal responses to an incident, including random search details and actions pursuant to the standard response protocol.
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Conduct site surveys for off-site events, addressing overall safety concerns, and implement strategies and protocols to follow during the event.
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Conduct physical searches of students and their property with lawful justification.
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Prepare reports for PDE, EDNA, EEOC, Census, etc. as required.
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Schedule and assign school security staff to meet the needs of the District.
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Regularly conduct meetings with all school security staff.
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Manage professional development and mandatory training for school security staff.
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Work varying schedules including on-call 24 hours a day.
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Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Position Specifications
Physical Demands
Often sitting at desk for extended periods
Frequently required to standing or walk for extended periods of time
Lifting up to 50 pounds
Some carrying up to 30 pounds
Manual dexterity to use of equipment
Sensory Abilities
Visual acuity to read correspondence, computer screen
Auditory acuity to be able to use telephone
Ability to speak clearly and distinctly
Work Environment
Regularly interact with students and staff during the normal workday
Noise level is generally quiet but may be moderate to loud at times
Willingness to meet deadlines and ability to work additional time to meet deadlines
Inside and outside the building - in uncomfortable warm, cold or inclement weather
Temperament
Ability to work as a member of a team
Ability to respond positively under stressful work situations
Must be courteous, respectful and efficient
Must be cooperative, congenial, and service-oriented, and promote these qualities
Ability to work in an environment with frequent interruptions
Cognitive Ability
Ability to follow written and verbal directions
Ability to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision
Ability to read, write and do complex computations
Ability to use correct grammar, sentence structure and spelling
Ability to compose clear, concise sentences and paragraphs
Ability to organize office setting to efficiently accomplish tasks
Ability to work independently and make work-related decisions
Ability to exercise good judgment in prioritizing tasks
Ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels
NOTE: All abilities above must be at a professional level.
Specific Skills
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Valid Pennsylvania operator's license
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.Successful completion of basic training as required by the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal police education and training) or have graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, been employed as a State trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police/Municipal Police Officer, and separated from that service in good standing. Reference: Pennsylvania Act 120 of 1974 and as amended
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Successful completion of (or ability to attend and successfully complete) the Basic School Resource Officer Course of Instruction offered by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) or an equivalent course of instruction approved by Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
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Obtain and maintain (or ability to obtain and maintain) a School Police Officer designation from the Court of Common Pleas.
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Holds and maintains professional certification under Pennsylvania Act 120.
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Successful completion of (or ability to attend and successfully complete and maintain) CPR, First Aide, and AED certifications
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Successful completion of (or ability to attend and successfully complete and maintain) Safety Care certifications or other District-approved program regarding safe and therapeutic interactions between school staff and students.
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Maintain yearly firearms qualifications as required.
Terms of Employment
Ten (10) months annually, approximately 210 days.
Salary, work schedule and other conditions of employment in accordance with compensation agreement and applicable policies.
The position specifications described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.
Approved: 02/15/2023
