Project Title: Security Monitor Position

By: Susan Samaha

Part 1: I met with my mentor to discuss how to interview and how to best support

this person on 3/20/2017.

Part 2: When I started the job, we had a front desk monitor person. He decided to

leave us in December and I needed to help the principal in interviewing and

supporting this person in their role. Unfortunately, the process was long. The

months of January and February were spent reaching out to the Human Resources

and getting three candidates. During this time, I needed to make sure we had the

security position filled. This is a critical role, because they make sure no danger

enters our building. So, I created a schedule using our support staff. I included

myself in this position, because I wanted them to see that we all are in this together.

A couple Educational Assistants were pulled out of the classroom for this role to be

filled. Teachers and students were not happy. We interviewed three candidates and

the decision was hard, because the conversation. The Principal and I were the

interview committee. We asked counselors and a couple other staff members what

their opinion was about the security person being bilingual. The question was,

Should the security monitor position be bilingual? Our school is 100% English

Learners. When a person enters our building, should this person be able to speak

Spanish or Somali, or is it okay for the person to be an English only speaker. We

decided that the main office has a lot of bilingual staff and that the front desk needed

to be able to be professional and do the job required. Ideally, we wanted this person

to be able to connect to students and know their names. Going through this process
taught me that it wasnt an easy hire. There are many factors to consider when

hiring teachers, but also other critical positions in the building.

Here is the Job Description for the Security Monitor position below:

Security Monitor
Under general supervision, patrols school facilities, enforces
rules of conduct, and assists MPS staff to maintain a positive
learning environment for students.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans
with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and
skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions
and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and
prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors
such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an
essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the
following:

Monitors building entrance, provides front-desk

security, and registers and tracks visitors.

Responds to emergencies and implements

appropriate emergency procedures; utilizes proper safety
precautions in all work performed; may be required to
restrain students.

Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior

when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS
staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and
effective workplace environment

Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendents

goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and
procedures.
 Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related
issues, records and MPS information.

Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-

needed basis

At times may be required to work outside normal

business hours and work extended hours to accomplish
requirements of the position. MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS Education, Training and Experience
Guidelines High School Diploma or GED equivalent is
preferred; OR an equivalent combination of education,
training and experience as determined by Human
Resources. Skill in:

Assessing emergency situations and responding

according to established procedures.

Working effectively with diverse groups of people.

Following and maintaining safety standards.

Following verbal and written instructions and

procedures. LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS A valid Minnesota State Drivers
License may be required. Crisis Prevention Intervention
(CPI) training is required within one (1) year of hire.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed indoors and outdoors at MPS facilities; safety
precautions must be followed; a job in this category may require
walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, and crouching.
ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION
Bargaining Unit: Grade: FLSA Status: Job Group:
Revised:
AFSCME A1 Non-Exempt Operational and Security Services
March 23, 2015
These were the notes from the meeting with my mentor below:

Safety Security
Person- onboarding
o Review of front policy
o Review of building emergency
o Master schedule
o Staff Call List
o Secretary tell him how to enter his time in ESS
Student sign in and sign out book
All adults sign in the Visitor book
o Verify that this is the person
Pick up badge in main office and sign in again
Paper form of entrance and exit
Cameras Assignment (shared google doc from Jason) by April 10th
Aimee: Machine Tardys and prints passes

These are all the things I needed to do with the new security position. I learned

how much work it takes for one position in the building to get hired, mentored,

supported and valued in the building. This took many weeks and hours. At the end

of the day, the person we hired decided not to continue with us for the remaining of

the school year. Human Resources was too busy and was not able to continue

supporting my request for a front desk monitor person. In my opinion, this is

completely unacceptable. I was left with doing the front desk monitor job as well as

the support staff for the remaining of the school year.