Career & application guide

Crossing Guards and Flaggers

Get to know the work, the skills that matter, and how to prepare your next application.

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What do crossing guards and flaggers do?

Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Adult Crossing Guard
  • Community Service Officer
  • Crossing Guard
  • Road Crossing Guard
  • School Crossing Guard
  • Substitute Crossing Guard

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • 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.
  • Communicate traffic and crossing rules and other information to students and adults.
  • Direct traffic movement or warn of hazards, using signs, flags, lanterns, and hand signals.
  • Report unsafe behavior of children to school officials.
  • Record license numbers of vehicles disregarding traffic signals, and report infractions to appropriate authorities.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

Ready to plan your search?

Start with crossing guards and flaggers as your target. You can change your role in the quiz and tell us your location and work preferences.

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