School Safety Officer (Brooklyn)

Job description

*Please note, this is a year-round school program. Gersh Autism is seeking a dependable and vigilant School Safety Officer to join our Brooklyn team and support our mission of providing a safe, structured, and supportive educational environment for students with autism and developmental disabilities. The School Safety Officer will play a critical role in maintaining campus safety, monitoring building access, supporting school operations, and helping ensure the well-being of students, staff, families, and visitors. This role requires strong observational skills, professionalism, sound judgment, and the ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations. Duties and responsibilities Monitor and patrol school premises to ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors. Observe and report suspicious activity, unauthorized individuals, vandalism, theft, or other security concerns. Monitor entrances and exits to control building access and maintain campus security. Sign visitors, staff, students, and vendors in and out of the building while maintaining accurate daily records. Create and distribute visitor badges and direct guests to the Main Office upon arrival. Respond to alarms, incidents, disturbances, or emergencies in a calm and professional manner. Circulate throughout the building and front entrance areas to preserve order and maintain a visible security presence. Write detailed reports regarding daily activities, unusual occurrences, property damage, safety concerns, or behavioral incidents. Assist with dismissal procedures and communicate with transportation and bussing teams to support safe student transitions. Provide information and assistance to visitors during school hours. Monitor staff and visitors for rule infractions or safety violations and notify school leadership when appropriate. Support Human Resources and administrative staff during employee terminations or sensitive situations by escorting individuals from the premises when necessary. Ensure all doors, windows, gates, and access points remain secure throughout the school day. Maintain professional appearance standards and wear designated security uniform at all times. Participate in school safety trainings, staff meetings, and emergency preparedness procedures. Qualifications High school diploma or GED required. Minimum of 2 years of experience within security, school safety, law enforcement, or a related field. Security certification or completion of a recognized security training program preferred. NYS Security Guard License - 8 Hour and 16 Hour Course Certificate required. Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment in stressful or emergency situations. Strong attention to detail and observational skills. Ability to work collaboratively with students, families, school staff, and leadership. Commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive school environment. Experience working within schools, educational settings, behavioral health, or youth-focused environments. (Preferred) Training in crisis prevention, de-escalation, or emergency response procedures. (Preferred) Experience supporting students with behavioral or developmental needs. (Preferred) Working conditions Location: Brooklyn, NY Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00AM-3:30PM (and once a week until 4PM for a team meeting) Occasional before- and after-school work hours at the discretion of the administrative staff. School/classroom setting. Physical requirements Must be able to keep students safe from themselves and others and, in some cases, may need to implement CPI (therapeutic holds) procedures. Must be able to remove oneself from potentially harmful situations and, in some cases, be able to lift a child. Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move throughout the workday Ability to lift (at least 50-65 pounds), assist, and/or physically support students, which may include lifting or guiding students of varying sizes Ability to physically intervene when required to ensure safety (per CPI training) Ability to remove oneself and/or others from unsafe situations quickly Ability to maintain attention and focus in a dynamic, high-stimulation environment Ability to multi-task and shift priorities quickly Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making, particularly in high-pressure or safety-sensitive situations Ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain professional relationships Ability to perform duties under stress, including during behavioral escalations Benefits for Full Time Employees Gersh Autism offers a competitive compensation package, including comprehensive health and retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment committed to your personal and professional growth. Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision) Retirement Plan (401k matching) Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity) Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Training & Development For over 30 years, Gersh Autism has empowered students on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential. Serving individuals aged 5-21 across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, our network of K-12 schools provides personalized education tailored to each student’s unique learning style. We offer comprehensive therapeutic services—speech, physical, occupational therapy, and more—along with vocational training for older students. Our dedicated team collaborates with families to ensure academic, social, and emotional growth, preparing students for success beyond the classroom. At Gersh Autism, we are committed to helping individuals on the autism spectrum lead fulfilling, independent lives.