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Crossing Guards protect children at street crossings during the hours when children are going to or coming from school. They stop traffic and watch over children until they have safely crossed the street. They direct the actions of children, keeping them from running into the street or from playing while crossing the street.

JOB DUTIES

Crossing Guards may:

Hold up their hands or stop signs to halt traffic or pedestrians

Record license numbers of vehicles that disregard traffic signals

Report offending drivers to the police

Escort children across streets

Place caution signs at designated points before going on duty and remove them at the end of the shift

Stop speeding vehicles and warn drivers of traffic laws

Direct traffic in the area near their post

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

371.567-010 SCHOOL-CROSSING GUARDS protect children at street crossings during the hours when children are going to or coming from school. They stop traffic and watch over children until they have safely crossed the street. They direct the actions of children, keeping them from running into the street or from playing while crossing the street.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Crossing Guards work outdoors in all kinds of weather with little or no supervision. The work is seasonal since they work only while school is in session. They usually wear bright red, yellow, or white jackets so that they can be seen easily.

There are no set hours that Crossing Guards work as all schools do not start at the same time. However, a typical day's work may be: 7:00 to 8:30 in the morning; 11:30 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon; and 3:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon. Hours vary with the particular school for which the Crossing Guard works. Most Crossing Guards work four or fewer hours per day.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a routine, organized nature

• Activities involving business contact with people

You Should Be Able To:

• Follow instructions

• Reason and make judgments on your own

• Deal effectively with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If it is 7:55 a.m. and the children have to be to school by 8:20 a.m., how long do they have to get to school?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Street signs and warnings.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Fill out a traffic report for a traffic violator.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Analytical skills and be detail oriented in assessing traffic conditions and getting children safely across the street.

Some employers require Crossing Guards to provide character references and be free of any police record. Crossing Guards must also meet minimum age limits.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

There are no methods of gaining experience other than on-the-job training. However, some schools have "class monitors" or "patrol persons" who perform tasks similar to those of Crossing Guards. This may be a helpful way of gaining experience. Any work with children, such as being a scout patrol leader, playground supervisor, or even a babysitter may be helpful also.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Crossing Guard employer

internships

volunteer work with a Crossing Guard employer

community service work with an agency

Persons interested in Crossing Guard jobs should apply at schools, consult newspaper want ads, or seek assistance at an office of Michigan Works!. Short demonstrations and on-the-job training are the usual means by which a person becomes familiar with this kind of work. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of School Crossing Guards vary with the employer. Because many School Crossing Guards work only part time, as needed during the school day, total earnings are low.

In Michigan, school Crossing Guards are paid either by the day or by the hour. In several Michigan cities, Guards earned (early 1999):

Crossing Guards may be covered by special insurance while on duty, but because they are not full-time employees they usually do not receive other fringe benefits. Full-time Guards generally have paid vacations, insurance, and pension plans.

There are no direct methods of advancement for Crossing Guards.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Approximately 60,500 Crossing Guards were employed nationally in 1996. Employment is expected to decline through the year 2006 Most openings will occur to replace workers who change jobs or leave the occupation. The industry distribution for Crossing Guards looked like this:

There are about 2,300 Crossing Guards employed in Michigan. Most were employed in urban areas. Almost all of them worked for government agencies, primarily local governments. A few worked for schools. .

Employment of Crossing Guards in Michigan is expected to declined compared to the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 60 annual openings is expected due to replacement of Guards who leave the labor force. Some additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations. The demand for Crossing Guards will vary depending upon school closures and government funding.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development