School Resource Officer

Job Description:

School Resource Officer

Description

The Position

Under the general supervision of a Sergeant and in cooperation with the community, performs a variety of policing and law enforcement activities. Tasks are primarily service oriented and include investigative and enforcement functions, to generally provide for the safety of the public, and to perform essential functions as required. Duties include an element of personal danger, exposure to adverse weather conditions, apprehending criminals, directing traffic, and transporting prisoners. Incumbents perform duties in accordance with Florida Statues and established departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines. The incumbent must be able to act without close supervision and must be able to exercise independent judgement. Work is reviewed through observation, conferences and review of written work product for results obtained and adherence to established policies and procedures.

1. Conducts routine preventative patrol of assigned school premises.
a) Patrol school grounds for detection of violators.
b) Initiate contacts with both business operators and residents.
c) Maintain an open-line of communication with the school community.
d) Obtain information and increase knowledge of persons and conditions within an assigned area.

2. Responds to calls for police service; takes action upon observing a circumstance or situation requiring police attention.
a) Respond to public disturbances and other incidents and attempt to resolve through counseling and referral.
b) Settle disputes among neighbors, juveniles, gangs, etc.
c) Handles any and all related complaints from the school community.

3. Provides information and/or assistance to the public.
a) Interact with diverse groups of people.
b) Answer a wide range of non-police related service calls.
c) Inform citizens of available services in the school.
d) Coordinate information and resources among other Department employees, public and private agencies, and citizens.
e) Provide referrals to City, County, State, Federal, and Private Agencies.

4. Maintains the peace and safety of the school community.
a) Quell public disturbances.
b) Maintain civil obedience at school functions.
c) Work with the community to identify crime, quality of life issues and other concerns.
d) Use problem solving skills, creativity, and innovative approaches to design strategies to address these concerns.
e) Anticipate crime trends and develop plans to break negative patterns before they become established.

5. Provides for the safe and convenient flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
a) Investigate traffic accidents.
b) Enforce traffic laws when and where necessary.
c) Promote vehicular and pedestrian safety.
d) Report unsafe road and travel conditions.

6. Conducts criminal and non-criminal investigations.
a) Conduct initial investigations into a variety of crimes.
b) Conduct investigations concerning civil disturbances.
c) Conduct follow-up investigations of crimes and other incidents.
d) Conduct surveillance for suspected or potential criminal activity.

7. Enforces laws and arrests lawbreakers.
a) Analyze and interpret legal codes and criminal evidence.
b) Enforce laws and arrest lawbreakers.
c) Issue Notices to Appear.
d) Issue traffic citations.

8. Prepares written reports, forms, and other documents as required.
a) Complete standardized departmental forms relating to crimes and occurrences.
b) Prepare narrative reports of incidents (supplemental reports, probable cause affidavits, etc.)
c) Prepare basic and detailed reports pertaining to departmental business on such forms and in such format as may be required.
d) Uses computers for reports, communications, and information retrieval and archiving.
9. Maintains Proficiency and Professionalism.
a) Attend work regularly, reliably, and punctually.
b) Adhere to Department policies, rules, regulations, SOP's, laws and ordinances.
c) Keep Superiors informed.
d) Report orally, or in writing, on matters of concern to public safety, the Department, or the City.
e) Consistently practice ethical behavior.
f) Make recommendations for improvement.
g) Participate in training. Must attend all mandated training required by the Police Department and the City.

10. Testify in legal proceedings as a credible witness regarding official duties (civil, administrative, criminal courts and depositions.).

11. Provides support and assistance to other Police Officers, and City, State, County, and Federal employees.
a) Stand-by while other City/County/State agencies perform their duties and functions.
b) Assist in training and developing other employees.

12. Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents.
a) Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials and equipment.
b) Use all required safety equipment as trained or dictated by policy.
c) Practices safe driving techniques.

The Requirements

• Knowledge of federal laws, state statues, and local ordinances.
• Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Hollywood Police Department.
• Knowledge of crime prevention techniques.
• Knowledge of First Responder and CPR techniques.
• Skill in the operation of motor vehicles under favorable and adverse conditions.
• Skill in the use of computer hardware and software.
• Ability to Learn and apply new information.
• Ability to exercise discretion.
• Ability to work effectively as an individual and member of a group.
• Ability to interact and work with others appropriately and effectively in a work place and community of diverse cultures, ages, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally, in writing, and interpersonally with superiors, subordinates, and the community.
• Ability to assert self appropriately.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively.
• Ability to determine proper courses of action within the established framework of law, policies and procedures.
• Ability to solve problems with innovation and creativity, including alternatives which involve taking risks.
• Provide effective and efficient services with courtesy, responsiveness, and competence.
• Ability to maintain composure under emergency situations.
• Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.
• Ability to accept responsibility, acknowledge mistakes, and share successes.
• Ability to exercise common sense and good judgment.
• Ability to learn and perform self-defense and control techniques.
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in the use of firearms, impact weapons, and chemical agents.
• Ability to become keenly familiar with the geography of the City and surrounding areas.
• Ability to work differing school hours, after school hours, and a schedule that meets the needs of the assigned school and the Hollywood Police Department.
• Ability to work during City declared emergencies.
• Ability to learn and adapt to changing technologies and practices.
• Ability to operate required radio equipment.

United States Citizen.

Minimum 21 years of age.

High School Graduate or G.E.D. equivalency.

Must be a currently Certified State of Florida Police Officer with (5) years Law Enforcement experience.

Must hold or obtain School Resource Officer certification upon completion of a Department sanctioned course.

Pass Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT) with score of 79 and/or pass a competitive civil service exam (Law).

Pass Swim Test

Pass polygraph or computer voice stress analysis examination.

Pass psychological screening (Law).

Pass an extensive medical evaluation and drug screening.

Meet current State training requirements as necessary.

Pass an extensive background investigation.

Pass drug detection by hair analysis test.

Stable work history.

Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Be of good moral character, have no felony convictions, and committed no incidents of violence.

Military discharge must not have been dishonorable.

Preferred (2) years School Resource Officer or Juvenile Justice experience, GREAT or DARE certified.

Must complete 1 year probationary period.

Compensation/Work Schedule

Work Schedule - Approximately ten months per year (school year plus training) with a flexible work schedule to accommodate the needs of the positional responsibilities .

Overtime/Detail Time - Off duty details will be limited to the school environment, either the school assigned to the officer or other schools within the SRO program.

Sick Days / Vacation - 3 days

Pension/Retirement Plan - N/A

Life Insurance/ Health Insurance - Part-time employees may purchase Group Health Insurance Coverage. The City will pay one half of the premium for selected coverage (*To be eligible, part-time employee MUST have worked over 1500 hours in the last fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) to receive or continue to receive benefits in the upcoming fiscal year.).

Take Home Car - No

Uniforms/Equipment/Firearms - provided per the Police Dept. Policy (*Uniform cleaning allowance will be provided)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak and be required to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. May require fingering: picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, and depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position works in a dynamic environment that requires the employee to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

The Examination

Required Education and Background Information: Look over the announcement carefully to determine your eligibility. Please note minimum education and experience requirements. Closed competitive positions are open only to employees while open competitive positions are open to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications for the position. Evidence of a GED test score is required if submitted for high school diploma. Applicants are responsible for clearly documenting work experience and/or providing all relevant information at the time of application. Additional information will not be accepted after the announcement closing date.

Examination: Depending on the number of applicants and the quality of their education and experience, the examination may consist of one or more of the following tests: written examination, performance examination, education and experience evaluation, oral examination and/or other job related examinations.

You will be notified of the time and place of your examination when you file or later by mail. A passing grade is required on each part of the process. Repeated participation in any examination for which the same test is used is limited to once every 6 months. Your examination results will be sent by email as soon as possible after the grading is completed.

Final passing grades are used to determine a candidate's position on the eligibility list of successful candidates. Departments fill vacancies from this list. The top three names are considered for each vacancy unless otherwise modified. Those not appointed are returned to the eligibility list for further consideration in accordance with the Civil Service Ordinance. Your name will remain on a register for one year for open competitive examinations and two years for closed competitive except where labor contract conflicts.

Your name may be removed from an eligibility list prior to one year according to Hollywood's Civil Service Ordinance or labor contracts. Your eligibility may be canceled if you refuse a position or if you are not available for work. You are responsible for notifying the Employment Office, in writing, of any change in your address or telephone number.

Special Accommodation and Communication Needs: The City of Hollywood provides necessary reasonable accommodation in the examination process upon request to persons with disabilities. Such requests must be made PRIOR to any scheduled examination.

Veteran's Preference: The City values the service that veterans and their family members have given to our country, and as such, proactively recruits and hires veterans and qualified spouses to the greatest extent possible. Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such servicemembers and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. To obtain veteran's preference, candidates MUST submit a copy of separation papers (DD214) and meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by the Florida Statutes. For additional information, please refer to the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs .

Additional Information

All successful applicants will be required to pass an extensive background which may include criminal history searches, driving history checks, credit report, courthouse searches, education verification, employment verification, professional license verification, or other search methods as deemed necessary for the position. In addition, the applicant will be required to undergo a medical examination, which may include a drug screening, prior to appointment.

EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES: The City of Hollywood has an Ordinance which regulates the employment of relatives of City employees. Effective January 28, 2008, a relative may only be hired under the following additional conditions:

• The relative must have competed in an appropriate examination process as determined by Human Resources and be placed on a civil service eligibility list;
• The relative must be among the top three ranked candidates available on the certified eligibility list unless expanded by the Civil Service Board;
• The Department or Office Director and the Director, Human Resources must demonstrate that it is in the best interests of the City of Hollywood to hire the relative of a public officer or employee.

As of 12/15/2005 the City will require all newly hired employees to sign an affidavit affirming non-usage of tobacco or tobacco products within the last year prior to submission of application and will continue to be a non-user of tobacco products throughout employment with the City of Hollywood.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The Employment Office will make reasonable efforts in the examination and workplace to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources of special needs by calling (954) 921-3216.

All applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, abilities, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression (except as limited by law, Personnel Rules, Collective Bargaining Agreements, or bona fide occupational disqualifications).

The City of Hollywood is an Equal Opportunity / Equal Access Employer.

SUMMARY OF WORK SCHEDULE, COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS
FOR PART-TIME SCHOOL RESOURCES OFFICER Work Schedule:

• The school year will run from August to June.
• The SRO will be required to work the following days/times:
  • School days are Monday - Friday, whereby hours of work will be thirty (30) minutes before and thirty (30) minutes after the designated school day schedule per the assigned school, excluding holidays. The City and the SRO agree that excluded school day closings may be used for training.
• The SRO may be required to work additional hours as needed (i.e. for meetings of Parent Teacher Association or other meetings directly related to the position). After having worked forty hours in any week, the SRO will be paid overtime for those hours in excess of forty hours in any week. Overtime is paid at time and one half.

Compensation:

• The SRO and the City of Hollywood understand and agree that this part-time position is dependent on the receipt by the City of Hollywood funding of the SRO position by the School Board of Broward County. Predicated on the funding, the SRO will be paid a yearly total of $62,400.SRO's will be required to work a minimum of 1560 hours per year or 195 days at 8 hours day, which equates to an hourly rate of $40.00.

Performance and Evaluation:

• The SRO will perform work as detailed in the established job description.
• The SRO will be required to comply with Police Department Policies and Procedures; Rules & Regulations; and the City’s Code of Ordinances.
• The SRO must adhere to all mandatory and department required training, i.e., firearms, in service training, and state mandated courses. The City will pay the cost of training.
• The SRO will obey vehicle use guidelines, required payments for use, and restrictions.
• The SRO will obey cell phone use requirements.
• The SRO shall monitor the police radio while on duty.
• The SRO shall be in uniform while on duty or on detail. SROs may be allowed to work school related extra duty assignments when:
  • The detail cannot be filled by off-duty full-time sworn officers
  • There is a need for increased visibility

The SRO agrees to become SRO certified as deemed necessary by the Police Chief and the City of Hollywood will pay the costs of such training. The SRO will receive annual evaluations. However, unless otherwise provided herein, the SRO will not be eligible for any pay increases or cost of living allowances and will not otherwise be eligible for pay for performance. Leave:

• The SRO will be provided with three (3) paid personal days per school year (i.e., between August - June). These three (3) personal days will be credited at the beginning of the school year (i.e., August), and must be used by the end of the school year (i.e., June). Any unused personal leave will not roll over to subsequent school years and has no cash value.
• Aside from the three (3) personal days, the SRO will only receive pay for hours actually worked. As such, teacher work days and holidays will not be paid, unless the SRO is assigned training.
• If the SRO is separated from employment for more than 90 days, the SRO is subject to background screening.

Benefits/Incentives:

• As long as the SRO averages 30 hours per week or 1560 hours annually, the SRO will be offered health insurance, vision insurance, and a health reimbursement account (HRA) similar to other similarly situated part-time employees. Hours worked are evaluated annually, first on the SRO’s hire date anniversary and then subsequently at the end of the City’s fiscal year. If the minimum 30 hours per week or 1560 hours annually are not met the SRO will lose the aforementioned health insurances/benefits for the following benefit plan year.
  • NOTE: City of Hollywood retirees who elect coverage upon retirement and who are subsequently re-hired at a later date, will have a one-time option to enroll in active employee coverage and then, upon separating employment a second time, these re-hired employees will be able to return to their retiree coverage. This is a one-time change option for retirees who are re-hired and can only be exercised upon re-employment or an open enrollment/qualifying event period.
• The SRO shall be eligible to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction to the City sponsored 457 deferred compensation plan.
• The SRO will be provided City issued equipment. Upon separation, the SRO is required to return all City issued equipment.
• The SRO is permitted the use of a City vehicle while on duty, which may also be assigned as a take-home vehicle. The SRO shall adhere to the existing policy regarding usage of the vehicle; this includes the payment of a monthly fee similar to other City Police Officers. The police vehicle shall be returned to the Hollywood Police Department at the end of the school year.
• The SRO will be required to use their personal cell phone while on duty as a SRO. In consideration thereof, the City of Hollywood will pay a stipend to the SRO of $50.00 per month during the months of school year (August - June). This stipend shall be in addition to any other compensation stated herein.
• The SRO will be paid a stipend for uniform cleaning of $50.00 per month during the months of the school year and will also receive a one-time annual $50.00 shoe allowance. These stipends shall be in addition to any other compensation stated herein.
• The SRO will receive a $1200.00 retention bonus upon the completion of the school year in June.

Closing Date/Time: 9/30/2024 6:00 PM Eastern

Salary:

$72,000.00 Annually