Protective Services Specialist

POSITION PURPOSE: The protective services specialist supports the protective services team in maintaining a safe campus environment for students, staff, and visitors. This role supervises search operations at Beaufort County School District (BCSD) events, conducts site-based assessments to ensure compliance with district safety protocols, and provides support to schools and the district during heightened alerts.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists the Protective Services team with the planning and execution of searches at district facilities and activities (sometimes occurring outside of normal business hours) in compliance with relevant federal, state, and local laws and district policies.
• Ensures that equipment assigned for safety and search is accounted for and in good operational order.
• Conducts inspections and troubleshoots issues associated with metal detection equipment as well as computers, telephones, evidence cameras, etc. to ensure proper functionality at all times.
• Supports school staff with training and technical support for search operations conducted by school personnel (e.g., full-time weapon screening).
• Conducts training of team members and ensures responsibilities are being executed in compliance with written directives and applicable laws.
• Performs searches of property, vehicles, and people for weapons, drugs, and other contraband.
• Maintains chain-of-custody for all weapons, drugs, and contraband located during searches.
• Documents details via written reports and testifies in legal proceedings  resulting from search activities.
• Assists with, participates in, and supervises the completion of safety assessments to evaluate the physical security measures at BCSD facilities.
• Assists and participates in other initiatives related to campus safety including incident and alarm response, inventory and maintenance of security assets, and video surveillance monitoring and review.
• Serve as backup security for schools. 

ADDITIONAL DUTIES: Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Director of Protective Services, Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer, Superintendent or other district office administrator as designated by the Superintendent.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent with five (5) years of experience in security, campus safety, or law enforcement.
• Associate's degree preferred.
• Five years of progressive experience working with young people of school age in a structured setting preferred.
• A strong mental mindset capable of coping with routine and emergency situations is required.  
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills while maintaining a calm demeanor in dealing with the public in highly charged situations.
• Ability to write detailed technical reports of inspections and investigations.
• Computer skills to include Microsoft Suite applications.
• Possess a valid South Carolina driver's license.

EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated experience of conducting investigations, to include search of individuals and their property for prohibited items or contraband including weapons.  
• Understanding of safety principles involved in conducting search operations.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and applicable case law regarding search and seizure.
• Ability to recognize and preserve evidence and/or direct such evidence to the attention of Law Enforcement when appropriate.
• Ability to testify in Court and/or formal Hearings.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in directing and managing scope of authority.
• Ability to read and interpret Law Enforcement Records Checks.
• Ability to maintain harmonious working relationships with young people, school and district staff, law enforcement/first responders and the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, while performing this job the staff member shall:

1. Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
2. Sit, stand and walk for required periods of time.
3. Speak and hear.
4. Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
5. Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
6. Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, technology equipment, computers, and/or controls.

WORK PLACE EXPECTATIONS:

1. Work effectively with and respond to diverse cultures or backgrounds.
2. Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, and dress in a neat, clean and professional manner for the assignment and work setting.
3. Have regular and punctual attendance.
4. Follow all District policies, work procedures, and reasonable requests by the proper authorities.
5. As an employee of Beaufort County School District, I am to adhere to confidentiality as directed by Federal, State and Local Laws/Regulations; and in accordance with district administrative rules as it pertains to sensitive information, employee information and student information. Failure to adhere to confidentiality may result in disciplinary actions, up to and including termination of employment.

REPORTS TO:  Director of Protective Services

DAYS PER YEAR: 190

SALARY CLASSIFICATION:  Paid on the Classified Salary Schedule - LEVEL 113

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Classified

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Must apply online by completing an "Classified" application and adding this specific job to your online application.

FLSA STATUS:  Non-Exempt

EMPLOYEE'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT:

1. I have reviewed the above position description and understand its contents.

2. I am aware that my position description may be revised or updated at any time and once notified of changes, I remain responsible for knowledge of its contents.

3. I hereby certify that I possess the physical and mental ability to fulfill the essential functions of the above position with or without reasonable accommodation(s). If I require accommodation(s) in order to fulfill any or all of these functions, I agree to provide information to the District regarding the requested accommodation(s).

Employee's Name (Print): ___________________________________

Employee's Signature: ___________________________________

Date: __________________________

THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER