Campus Security Officer (2024- 2025)

About Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

Academy of Visual and Performing Arts is a 6-12th grade, tuition-free public charter school in Fort Worth, Texas. Our mission is to provide a safe, challenging learning environment that cultivates our students’ academic and artistic excellence. We ensure that all students have equitable opportunities to Learn In The Arts and Learn Through The Arts.

Start Date: July 31, 2023

Type: Full-time position. Work hours are generally 7:45 am - 4:45 pm. Flexibility in the work schedule is expected due to the nature of working in a start-up environment. Candidates should have the flexibility to work in the evenings and on the weekend, as needed. The schedule will be adjusted to accommodate after-hours assignments, as needed.

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Campus Security Officer serves as a key member of the School Leadership Team, ensuring that the campus meets high standards of safety, organizational, operational, and customer service excellence, enabling instructional leaders and staff to focus on driving strong student achievement outcomes. As an Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Campus Security Officer, core responsibilities, at a minimum, include:

School Security, Protection, and Law Enforcement

• Ensure the safety and security of the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts campus and its students, employees, visitors, and property through the effective execution of established policies and procedures.
• Ensure students, staff, and visitors adhere to school board policies and regulations while on campus.
• Enforces all laws including municipal ordinances, county ordinances and state laws.
• Maintains and monitors multiple radio channels, security cameras, fire alarm system, weather alert system, and access controls.
• Monitor surveillance camera system, conduct camera searches, and prepare back-up of incidents for law enforcement as needed.
• Monitors the campus for environmental hazards and takes corrective action as required by school policy.
• Watch for unauthorized persons, suspicious/criminal activity, disturbances, fights and school rule violations, report to proper authorities.
• Patrols school grounds and parking areas to protect all students, personnel, and visitors from physical harm and to prevent property loss to the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts due to theft or vandalism.
• Assist with evacuation of building during drills and actual emergencies or emergency lockdowns and review and update crisis intervention plan and/or evacuation procedures.
• Respond to alarms and emergencies.
• Calls police, fire departments, or other appropriate authority of any situation requiring immediate attention or in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.
• Work cooperatively with police and other agencies to share information and provide other assistance.

Building Access and Visitor Management

• Locks and unlocks campus and building entrances and exits at designated times and as authorized otherwise.
• Monitors and authorizes entrance and departures of employees, visitors, and other persons to maintain the safety and security of Academy of Visual and Performing Arts.
• Directs or assists with vehicle and pedestrian traffic flow during student drop-off/pickup periods and special events.
• Facilitates the awarding and management of both student and staff identification badging and building access card programs.
• Checks parent and visitor identification and authorization information.
• Give directions or act as a guide to authorize visitors. Escort students and visitors as needed.

Student Behavior and Management

• Work cooperatively with Academy of Visual and Performing Arts administration to develop and implement proactive student safety and security programs, gang management plans, and other safety programs.
• Monitor student behavior and enforce school rules related to student conduct.
• Resolve conflict or confrontation between students and report disturbances and inappropriate or suspicious behaviors to school administration.
• Use sound judgment and effectively communicate with and elicit information from emotionally distraught students, staff, and citizens.
• Assist staff with students who are disciplined and walk students to administration offices.
• Observe and gather information regarding students using alcohol, drugs, gang activity and/or any other illegal activity.
• Assist administration with investigations as assigned.
• Conduct locker, property and person searches as assigned.
• Prepare incident reports as requested.
• Adheres to policies related to boundaries with students.
• Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.

Administration

• Implement and comply with policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule and local board policy.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records and other documents required, including affidavits for arrest, incident reports, and activity reports.

Consultation

• Recommend updates to the district multi-hazard emergency operations plan required in accordance with best practices identified by the Texas School Safety Center.
• Consult and make recommendations with local law enforcement agencies on methods to increase law enforcement presence near district campuses.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

First and foremost, the Campus Security Officer must have an unwavering commitment to the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts’ mission and a willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of AVPA students, families, and staff. Additionally, for this position, we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Law enforcement, military, or previous security experience.
  
• Texas Peace Officer License issued by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
• CPR certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Valid Texas driver’s license
• General knowledge of criminal investigation, police report writing and criminal laws
• Training in subduing offenders, including use of firearms and handcuffs
• Bondable as required by Texas Education Code 37.081(h)
• Ability to pass a required criminal background check
• Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work well with youth and adults

Benefits

What We Offer

Academy of Visual and Performing Arts’ compensation philosophy is to pay competitively for the PK-12 charter market to ensure equity across our institution. The salary range is $35,000 - $40,000 annually. AVPA is committed to internal pay equity throughout our organization. Because of this, we do not negotiate salary offers outside our salary bands. We offer a competitive benefits package with comprehensive health benefits. All staff members are equipped with the tools needed to succeed, including relevant and quality professional development, laptop computer, email, and all necessary supplies.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Academy of Visual and Performing Arts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.