K-9 District Police Officer presso Del Valle Independent School District

Primary Purpose:

The School Police K9 Officer is responsible for enforcing state laws, DVISD PD policies, and ensuring the safety of students, staff, and visitors on school property. This position utilizes a trained police canine to assist in law enforcement duties, including detection of narcotics, weapons, explosives, or other prohibited items, as well as search and rescue operations. 

Education/Certification:

• HighSchool diploma or GED (recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency).
• Activecertification as a Police Officer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education (TCOLE).

• Successful completion of approved K9 handler training and certification.
  • Meetminimal requirement for TCOLE SRO Certification Renewal 
  • ValidTexas driver’s license and good driving  Meet and maintain liability coverage and eligibility.
  • Candidatemust have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background  Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid by employee.
• Bondable, as required by Texas Education Code § 37.081
• Three years previous experience in full-time law enforcement preferred
• Mental Health Officer certification preferred

 Experience/Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of K9 handling, scent detection, and behavior training methods.
• Familiarity with school safety procedures, crisis intervention, and juvenile law.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with students, staff, and the community.
• Ability to remain calm and make critical decisions under pressure.
• Skilled in report writing, case documentation, and use of law enforcement technology.
• Knowledgeof laws, rules and regulations applicable to the position
• Strongorganizational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstratelogical, effective problem-solving ability
• Trainingand ability to subdue offenders, including the use of firearms and handcuffs
• Strongrelations, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Abilityto work with students, parents, faculty, and community
• Abilityto problem-solve, think critically and manage conflict under stress of time

    constraints and emotional witnesses/victims

• Passthe criminal history, drug testing, medical and psychological screening process
• Abilityto work all shifts, holidays and weekends, and a variety of assignments as 

     directed.

 Essential Job functions:

• Training and ability to subdue offenders, including use of firearms, non-lethal weapons, and handcuffs
• Exhibit a high level of personal integrity and display high ethical standards
• Operate a computer to develop databases and do word processing
• Actively monitor interior and exterior of campus for unauthorized persons
• Instruct in classroom setting (IE: traffic stop education, bullying, dating violence)
• Respond to calls for service which may include theft, criminal mischief, disturbances, or other disorders on school district sites
• Conduct initial and follow-up investigations (or assist with same)
• Assist in developing and implementing school safety programs
• Promote crime prevention and traffic safety programs
• Keep informed of and comply with state, district, and campus policies affecting schools, including daily attendance, punctuality, and confidentiality
• Assist other local law enforcement and fire agencies, as required or requested
• Assist school administration with alleged criminal violations committed by students, when requested
• Regularly confer with teachers, counselors, campus administrators, and other staff to identify problems and/or suspected criminal behavior
• Maintain contact with and act as a liaison to local law enforcement agencies
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required, including records of all cases investigated and reports required by law
• Comply with all district routines and regulations
• Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors, colleagues, students, and parents
• Provide traffic control at athletic events, school closings/openings, or as otherwise required
• Provide escorts or accompany students, parents, or district staff, as needed
• Work effectively and efficiently with a team
• Follow safety and security procedures
• Other duties as assigned

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required.)

Law Enforcement & Safety

• Patrol district campuses and facilities to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Respond to emergency calls, alarms, and incidents on school property.
• Enforce local, state, and federal laws, along with DVISD PD policies.
• Conduct investigations related to criminal activity, threats, or safety concerns.
• Provide immediate response in active threat, crisis, or evacuation situations.

K9 Handling & Deployment

• Maintain constant readiness of the assigned police canine for detection and patrol duties.
• Deploy K9 for searches involving narcotics, explosives, weapons, currency, tracking, or article searches.
• Assist in locating missing students, staff, or community members when called upon.
• Maintain accurate K9 training, deployment, and care logs as required by department policy.

Training & Outreach

• Participate in ongoing K9 and law enforcement training to ensure proficiency and certification compliance.
• Conduct safety presentations, K9 demonstrations, and educational programs for students and staff.
• Collaborate with administrators, counselors, and safety personnel on preventive safety strategies.

Care & Maintenance

• Provide proper care, grooming, feeding, and shelter for the assigned police canine.
• Maintain all issued K9 equipment, including vehicle modifications, kennels, leashes, muzzles, and protective gear.
• Monitor the health of the police canine and coordinate veterinary care as needed.

Professionalism:

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule 247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Organizational Management:

The Police Officer assists with the organizational management activities such as the following:

• Assistwith the preparation of required department reports and 

 Law Enforcement:

The Police Officer serves to enforce law enforcement activities such as the following:

• Respond to calls requiring peace officer intervention or service, and initiate 

       activity where needed to ensure a safe and secure environment.

• Enforce laws, policies and provisions of the Texas Penal Code, and the Code of 

      Criminal Procedure Texas Education Code and DVISD policy manuals and code

      of conduct.

Safety:

The Police Officer ensures district safety activities such as the following:

• Preparepolice reports; identify and report potential safety and security hazards, conduct initial investigations, and act on community and district concerns.
• Collaboratewith district and campus staff who oversee safety 
• Followthe department’s safety procedures including procedures for safe handling and use of 
• Patroldistrict property to protect all students, staff, and visitors from physical harm and prevent property loss due to theft or vandalism.
• Followthe district Emergency Response Guide and Emergency Operations Procedures (EOP).

Administration:

The Police Officer ensures district safety activities such as the following:

• Maintainsecured property room for storage of weapons and contraband confiscated on district 
• Compile,maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents as 

Qualities of an effective Police Officer:

The Police Officer exhibits qualities such as the following:

• Performall duties outlined in district procedures, rules and regulations, and 

• Workany hours, shifts, days or assignments given to include holidays, weekends,  as designated by supervisor.
• Servesas an appropriate, positive role model for 
• Abilityto demonstrate the following core values: integrity, high expectations, commitment, respect, dedication to teamwork and passion for a student-centered environment.
• Performspecial duty assignments, overtime, protective details and all other duties 
• Regularattendance and punctuality are essential functions of the 
• Followall safety and security 
• Workeffectively within a 

Additional Duties:

Performs any other duties assigned by the Superintendent pursuant to Board policy.

• Completeother duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Equipment:

District vehicle and related equipment, handcuffs, issued firearms, fire extinguishers, security and alarm equipment, two-way radios, video monitoring, computer, computer software programs, scanner, printer, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to position.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Frequent exposure to noise, odors, and potential hazards related to law enforcement work.
• Must be available for after-hours call-outs and special events.
• Responsible for housing and caring for the assigned police canine at handler’s residence.
  • Maintainemotional control under stress; prolonged hours; on call as assigned by supervisor
  • Abilityto work well with others in close proximity and while under stress
  • Frequentinterruptions and deadlines
  • Prolongedsitting, standing, balancing, reaching, and repetitive hand motions
  • Strenuouswalking, climbing and running; frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; frequent driving
  • Moderatelifting, stooping, kneeling, crouching and carrying (less than 40 pounds)
  • Occasionalcrawling, pulling and pushing
  • Extremeexposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather, noise, low or intense illumination, vibration
  • Occasionalexposure to work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces, nights and rotating 
  • Significanthearing, speaking clearly and reflexes are necessary, depth perception, keen visual and distinguishing 
  • Possibledistrictwide travel
  • Maybe exposed to adverse and hazardous working conditions, including violent and armed confrontations in extreme
  • Abilityto control sudden violent or extreme physical acts of others and exhibit rapid mental and muscular coordination
  • Physicalfitness tests and firearms qualifications are required twice a 
  • Mayinvolve routine exposure to blood or bodily 
  • Regularattendance is required for this