The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is recruiting qualified residents to serve as substitute school crossing guards at busy school zones throughout the Lakeland area.
The hiring push follows recent staffing shifts in which several existing substitutes stepped into permanent part-time roles after resignations, opening new vacancies on the substitute roster. Currently, PCSO utilizes 58 part-time crossing guards and 11 substitutes to monitor high-traffic intersections for elementary students walking to and from Lakeland schools. The program is operated by the Sheriff’s Office and funded through the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.
Ideal for retirees, stay-at-home parents, or residents seeking flexible civic work, the role requires a split school-day schedule. When called to cover a post, substitutes must be available to work for one hour during the morning drop-off window and for 30 minutes during afternoon dismissal.
Applicants must be Polk County residents able to accommodate the split shift, pass standard agency background screenings, and reliably reach their assigned intersections. Under Florida law, all newly hired crossing guards also complete standardized state certification training—combining classroom instruction, practical exercises, and supervised field duty—before working independently. PCSO provides all necessary high-visibility safety gear and equipment.
Residents interested in applying or learning more about current Lakeland openings should contact PCSO School Crossing Guard Supervisor Heather Strafford directly at (863) 534-7300, ext. 408.