Hiawatha Valley Education District provides special education services to 13 School Districts and 3 Charter Schools within five counties of southeast Minnesota: Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona. Hiawatha Valley Education District also has a Setting IV Behavior Program, located in Kellogg, MN that provides programming for grades K-12 students with challenging behaviors currently receiving special education services. Hiawatha Valley Education District provides programming for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder located in Hokah, MN. HVED offers an Alternative Learning Center housed in MN College SE located in Winona, MN. Hiawatha Valley Education District is committed to providing the best special education services to staff and students in southeast Minnesota.
Safety Specialist
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Reports to: Director of Special Education
The Safety Specialist will oversee and monitor the safety and well-being of property,
students, faculty and staff in the school building. This person will enforce individual school rules, policies, regulations and procedures and assist in the maintenance of an orderly, safe environment through timely access and availability.
Qualifications
· A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent required. Associates or bachelor’s degree preferred
· Experience in child behavior and intervention experience strongly preferred
· Must have a valid driver’s license to travel between HVED programs and member school district(s)Education and experience including certifications, diplomas, or degrees with a variety of behavior protocols to address students exhibiting challenging behaviors
· Possess Safety Care Advanced certification within two weeks of the date of hire is required (training provided)
· Capable of operating office equipment and communication devices needed to orderly conduct responsibilities of the position
Competencies
· Must be able to work in team decision-making situations, as well as independently
· Must be able to communicate tactfully and effectively and maintain confidentiality
· Must possess the ability to problem-solve
· Must possess ability to coordinate with others and lead teams when necessary
· Must maintain a patient attitude
· Must possess the ability to intercept and mediate behaviors
· Must possess the ability to interact well with children and adolescents
· Must possess the ability to learn and interpret school policies and procedure
Duties and Responsibilities Include (but not limited to)
· Promote a safe and orderly entrance of all students and staff into the building and ensures that all students, staff, and other have left the premises in the afternoon or evening.
· Patrol school grounds, ensuring safety, looking for damaged property, and unsecured entryways and completing daily safety inspections of the building and grounds to ensure the safety of the building.
· Provide support to any area of the building when requested. Including, but not limited to responding to a crisis situation or escorting a student in a hallway.
· Ensure safety protocols in place to ensure staff and students are safe from harm. Develop best practices and conduct drills to help prepare staff and students
· Proactively engage with students during break times and lunches to assist with behavior regulation and implementation of coping strategies
· Meets and interacts with students and staff on a regular basis to better understand the school culture and the safety needs of students and staff
· Proactively interact with students directly as a mentor or other resource to effect positive behavior change
· Follow and adhere to students’ Positive Behavior Support Plans and Individualized Education Program (IEP) as directed by the case manager and/or Behavior Specialist
· Maintains logs and reports of critical incidents in compliance with district, local, state and federal policies.
· Attends training classes and other professional learning opportunities related to safety, emergency preparedness and cultural proficiency.
· Maintain the requirements for student transportation in HVED vehicles.
· Other job-related duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements
· School building, office, lifting, sitting, standing, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, keyboarding, etc.
· Ability to lift 50 pounds
Travel Requirements
This position works out of the SAIL Program in Kellogg, MN. Minimal travel required.