Qualifications and Responsibilities

Qualifications of School Crossing Guards:

School crossing guards should possess the following qualifications: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age; 
• Must be willing to work part-time, holidays and school breaks;
• Basic first aid training, not required but considered a benefit; 
• Must be able to communicate clearly with children and others;
• Mental alertness, neat appearance, good character and dependability; 
• Physical Requirements: Vision and hearing sufficient to perceive potential traffic hazards, to detect warning signals, traffic control devices and other indicators of potentially hazardous situations; freedom from color blindness; and physical ability sufficient to swiftly remove pedestrians from dangerous traffic situations. Be able to stand for long periods of time outdoors.  Be able to hold the stop sign for extended periods of time.
• Have good English language skills;
• Sense of responsibility for safety of students. 
• Complete and pass a criminal background check/child abuse registry.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Crossing Guards have the following roles and responsibilities:

• Be on time. Call out sick well in advance.  
• Always wear the reflective vest and carry the traffic STOP paddle while on post.
• Park your vehicle in a safe and legal location where it will not obstruct your vision of traffic.  
• Control, direct and instruct students/pedestrians in crossing the street and highway at or near the school.
• Encourage patterns of safe behaviour by pedestrians when crossing a roadway.
• Discourage unsafe behavior by all pedestrians, as necessary.
• Inform motorists, by the appropriate signals, that pedestrians are using or are about to use the crosswalk and that they have the right to cross.
• Observe and report incidents and conditions that are hazardous.
• Remain standing at your post during hours of duty.  Never sit in your vehicle while on duty.  
• Never leave your post during hours of duty.  If a family emergency arises, contact the school principal to arrange for relief.  
• Set a good example at all times.
• Working together as a team. 
• Conduct themselves in a positive, professional manner to set a good example and gain the respect of community members and children they are crossing.
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products, use profanity or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on duty.  
• Do not use a personal cell phone or other electronic device while on duty, unless necessary to report an emergency.
• Do not read or listen to music or engage drivers in conversation.
• Use of intoxicants is prohibited.  There is a zero tolerance policy in effect.  Anyone found using drugs or alcohol will be relieved of duty on the spot.
• Caution is to be exercised when using prescription or non-prescription medications which will cause drowsiness.
• Do not touch children or allow children to sit in your vehicle.  
• Assist teachers, parents and police in instructing school children about safe practices on streets and highways at all times and places.
• Report any concerns and/or incidents to the school principal.
• Crossing guards must be on their posts at their designated times and should remain on duty until the end of their shift. 

Crossing guards DO NOT direct traffic in the usual sense of controlling or regulating the flow and movement of cars and pedestrians, but rather, they choose opportune times to create longer gaps in the traffic flow.