School Safety Officer (Brooklyn)

*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