Wanna Be a School Crossing Guard?

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) is seeking several qualified applicants for school crossing guard positions to help keep Pinellas children safe as they travel to and from school. 

School crossing guards assist children and other pedestrian traffic across streets at designated intersections during the hours when children are going to and returning from school. Crossing guards are expected to remain alert at all times in order to prevent hazardous traffic situations and help children travel to and from school in a safe manner. They must have knowledge of basic traffic laws, as well as be reliable and dependable. Good eyesight and hearing are mandatory.

As with all sheriff's office positions, applicants must submit to a background checks and a polygraph test.

The PCSO School Crossing Guard Program presently has 130 crossing guards covering 184 school crossing posts for elementary, middle and one high school in the unincorporated area as well as in the contract cities of Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Madeira Beach, and Seminole.

The school crossing guard program began in 1972 as a volunteer program. Through the years the program has grown to meet and adhere to Florida Dept. of Transportation standards. Each school crossing guard attends a mandatory six-hour classroom training session and two-hours of field training. This is followed up with three days of field training at the guard's assigned post.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office School Crossing Guard Program is an award winning program. In 2010 it was selected by the State of Florida as the Florida School Crossing Guard Program of the Year.

Persons interested in applying can contact School Crossing Guard Program Coordinator Sharon Lough at (727) 582-5641.