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Posted: 18-Jul-25
Location: Dallas, Texas
Type: Full Time
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Preferred Education:
Additional Information:
About St. John’s Episcopal School:
St. John’s is an independent, coeducational Episcopal school serving approximately 500 students in grades pre-k through eighth. Located in a park-like setting on 10 acres in East Dallas, the School offers its employees and students a supportive esprit de corps fueled by a common mission – one dedicated to a program of academic excellence designed to train the mind, strengthen the character, and enrich the spirit of each student in a Christian environment. We think of St. John’s not just as a school but also as a very special kind of community. We seek to employ people who – regardless of the role they play in the School – understand that they impact the lives of our students, families, and colleagues. The St. John’s Code calls us to model honesty and respectfulness in our relationships, responsibility in the performance of our assignments and a caring attitude that extends to all members of our community.
Position Description:
School Security Officers are highly visible, prepared leaders within the St. John’s Episcopal School community, responsible for fostering a secure and prepared environment that ensures the safety and well-being of all students, staff, faculty, and visitors.
School Security Officers report to the Sr. Director of Security & Operations and play a critical role in proactively identifying potential risks, implementing preventive measures, and assisting with the coordination of campus-wide training and preparedness programs, and comprehensive emergency management strategies. This position demands a forward-thinking, technical, and adaptable approach that integrates emerging best practices in both physical security and emergency response, while promoting a shared commitment to campus safety among all stakeholders. School Security Officers serve as primary points of contact during crisis situations and are dedicated to maintaining an environment that is safe, inclusive, and conducive to learning.
Key Accountabilities:
Emergency Preparedness and Management:
- Crisis Response Planning: Regularly review and assist with updating the School’s comprehensive emergency response plans, including lockdown, evacuation, and inclement weather plans.
- Disaster Preparedness: Support team oversight for response to natural disasters (e.g. inclement weather). Manage resources and protocols for emergency supplies.
- Emergency Response Coordination: Serve as a liaison to local police, fire, and other emergency response departments. Work directly with local law enforcement during critical incidents for coordinated emergency response efforts. Build partnerships with other local schools and agencies.
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Assist with implementing strategies to mitigate risks and vulnerabilities identified in the School’s security vulnerability assessment. Conduct regular assessments for potential emergencies, including third-party assessments as needed, to identify potential vulnerabilities.
- Communication Protocols and Systems: In partnership with the Technology Department, ensure effective communication systems are in place for emergencies, including mass notification systems, PA systems, and coordination with local authorities. Assist faculty and staff with emergency communication protocol.
- Training and Drills: Assist with organization and leadership of emergency preparedness training sessions for faculty, staff, and students. Assist with conducting regular emergency response drills and tabletop exercises to test and refine the school’s preparedness.
Campus Safety and Security:
- Security Personnel Coverage: Assist with maintaining security plans and coverage needs, including those for special events, weekend and overnight activities. Provide additional security coverage for day-to-day needs, carpool, and events, as required.
- Technical Security Measures: Enforce policies surrounding all technical security platforms.
- Physical Security Measures: Collaborate with the Facilities Department to ensure buildings and grounds remain as safe and secure as possible (e.g. fencing, gates, classroom door locks).
- Visitor Management: Ensure that implemented protocols are followed and offer the best balance of campus safety and streamlined visitor experience.
- Incident Investigation and Reporting: Conduct investigations into security breaches, accidents, or incidents, including those involving students, staff, or visitors. Maintain records of incidents, reporting to school leadership, and authorities as required.
- Monitor Security Alerts: Monitor all necessary system-generated alerts, including after-hours motion and sensor alerts, alarm system alerts, and door ajar alerts. Ensure response measures and action plans are followed.
- Student and Staff Safety Programs: Assist with the delivery of security training programs to enhance the knowledge and awareness of staff, faculty, and students. Stay updated on the latest security trends and best practices to ensure training content remains relevant and effective.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Proven experience in security, and emergency management with a background in leading emergency preparedness initiatives.
- Maintain all required licenses, certifications, and qualifications necessary to legally carry a firearm while on duty, in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Strong leadership, communication, problem solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the school community.
- Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure, with a strong understanding of crisis response planning and incident management.
- Demonstrated knowledge of technology and communication systems, including the latest technology security trends that pertain to PK-8 education settings.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365, surveillance video systems, alarm systems, access control systems and other technology-based security platforms.
- Ability to multi-task and work in a high-pressure and fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish respect, credibility and trust and maintain productive working relationships at all levels of the organization.
- Strong communications skills – verbal, written, presentation and in-team facilitation.
- Ability to use discretion and good judgment in a variety of circumstances with proven ability to effectively, continuously and discretely work with confidential and potentially sensitive information.
- Knowledge and experience in applying best practices for safety and security programs, preferably in an academic setting.
- Ability to adapt to changing work priorities: communicate with diverse groups; interact positively/build relationships with students, staff and parents; maintain confidentiality; work as part of a team; set priorities; and work with frequent interruptions.
- Physically able to perform the duties required for this position.
- Experience working in law enforcement or military police or level 3 security qualification highly required.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of training and experience preferred.
- Valid vehicle operator’s license.
- Successful completion of state and federal clearances.
Collaboration and Teamwork:
- Participate in student, faculty, and staff training.
- Establish and maintain productive partnership relationships with all community members.
- Collaborate with senior leadership, academic leadership, and other administrative team members.
- Cooperatively collaborate on projects as directed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements:
Work is performed inside and outside the building with exposure to inclement weather and unpredictable crisis situations, and candidate must be flexible with working hours and working conditions, including:
- Ability to walk for long periods of time around campus
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 75 pounds
- Ability to climb stairs
- Ability to sit at a desk working on a computer