Outside schools and in busy downtowns, at construction sites or road detours, crossing guards make sure traffic and pedestrians have safe passage. Crossing guards guide and control the flow of traffic, directing and escorting pedestrians across streets and stopping traffic when necessary. Often crossing guards are present to watch over students on their way to and from school, and must explain traffic and crossing rules both to adult drivers, and to students who are still learning about pedestrian safety. Guards may report unsafe student behavior to the school, and report the license numbers of errant vehicles to authorities. Traffic can be difficult to predict at the best of times and guards often work in challenging conditions, such as heavy weather, noisy construction sites, and during large, sometimes chaotic events such as races. Crossing guard positions are virtually always part time. Typically crossing guards have a high school diploma or equivalent but they may also earn a certification in pedestrian safety.
What they do:
Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
On the job, you would:
Direct or escort pedestrians across streets, stopping traffic, as necessary.
Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as street and railroad crossings and construction sites.
Monitor traffic flow to locate safe gaps through which pedestrians can cross streets.
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Business
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
talking to others
Social
understanding people's reactions
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
Produced by 
License
