Crossing Guards control or guide traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian at schools, streets, construction sites or railroad crossings.
At schools, they are there to make sure that all school children on their way to school or returning to their homes from school are supervised in crossing streets and roads or waiting for the school bus at stops, so they are protected from vehicular traffic.
Nature of Work
Crossing Guards are mainly responsible for providing school children with safe and protected access to and from their school. They are tasked with communicating and enforcing the policies of the school regarding this to all those who are within the vicinity and make sure they understand and follow them. They direct the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to ensure that no untoward incidents occur. They may have to locate safe gaps in the traffic flow to escort pedestrians as they cross the street and hand signals, signs, lanterns or flags to stop traffic if necessary. They can intervene in emergency cases in order to ensure that involved parties don’t suffer further injuries. They are in charge of maintaining traffic signs, street signs they use to direct traffic and make sure they are available when needed. Crossing guards are also responsible for monitoring and reporting incidents involving students such as fights, accidents, violation of school policies to the appropriate school personnel for proper action. They may also be required to assist other school personnel in completing their own functions. If needed, they coordinate and discuss with their superiors traffic rerouting plans and locations of control points, and make sure that information is disseminated to all concerned. Crossing guards record the license plate numbers of vehicles that disregard traffic signs and signals, and report violators to the authorities concerned. They also report to school officials those children who misbehave and disregard traffic safety procedures.
Qualifications
Crossing guards have no particular requirements as far as education is concerned. A high school diploma or GED will suffice. They will get their on the job training as they perform their duties although they may have to undergo further training in traffic laws, use of hand signals, signs and flags to direct traffic flow, and how to educate pedestrians about traffic rules and regulations. They should be able to interact with children in a friendly manner and be able to react quickly to potential dangers that can affect the children.