The Strong Interest Inventory was originally released in 1927 as a tool for people choosing an initial career or considering a career change later in life. The Strong Interest Inventory Assessment provides a framework for job seekers to leverage their personal preferences and interests during their job search to ensure that they find a career in which they will be successful and feel fulfilled. It narrows the scope of one’s job search by comparing one’s responses to a vocational survey to those of professionals already employed in hundreds of different careers. Someone whose responses are similar to those of teachers, for instance, may be encouraged to pursue a career as a teacher. In addition to recommending specific careers, the Interest Inventory Assessment guides job seekers toward one or more of six categories, each containing careers with certain shared characteristics. For example, Crossing Guards and Flaggers are considered Social careers because these professionals interface with the public daily and provide instructions that help others achieve a goal: arriving safely at their destination.
Read about a career as a Crossing Guard and Flagger, including information such as salary, daily tasks, and other career information.
Crossing Guards and Flaggers are responsible for guiding foot and vehicle traffic in public spaces such as schools, construction sites, and streets to ensure everyone takes turns and stays safe. Crossing Guards may need to escort pedestrians, particularly if they are children or have mobility challenges. They also stop or redirect traffic to ensure all pedestrians can cross safely. This process also involves monitoring vehicular traffic since the goal is to ensure that movement is not unduly interrupted or delayed. Crossing Guards and Flaggers who primarily direct vehicles may need to distribute traffic control signs and markers, learn the location and purpose of street traffic signs in their assigned patrol area, and plan or discuss traffic routing plans with their superiors. Some Crossing Guards and Flaggers also have educational responsibilities, such as communicating traffic laws, crossing rules, or other pertinent information to students and adults. Those who work in school contexts should report any disobedience or unsafe behavior they observe to the school, while those who work in other settings may need to report such behaviors to law enforcement if they are sufficiently serious. For example, if a vehicle does not stop when instructed, a Crossing Guard may need to record the license plate number and report the specific infraction to the appropriate authorities.
While Crossing Guards and Flaggers are not overly technical careers, they should be comfortable sending and receiving phone calls and digital communication like text messages and e-mails. They should also be comfortable using certain tools and materials like safety equipment (e.g., safety vests, signs, whistles, lights, rain gear, and megaphones). Most importantly, Crossing Guards and Flaggers should be in good physical shape, as most of their job involves standing outdoors, often in unpredictable weather or around contaminants such as car exhaust. They need to be strong, confident communicators and decision-makers, as their job hinges on making quick decisions and communicating those decisions to others who must act accordingly. Miscommunications or errors in decision-making can have serious consequences in this career.
Most Crossing Guard and Flagger positions require a high school diploma or equivalent (73%), while 18% do not require a high school diploma. Just 6% of Crossing Guards have completed some college without completing their degree program. A training course or apprenticeship program may be required for some positions before securing employment.
The median salary for Crossing Guards and Flaggers in the United States is approximately $15.12 per hour, which comes to $31,450 per year. However, specific compensation may be higher or lower in various parts of the country, depending on the local cost of living and demand. For example, the median salary for Crossing Guards and Flaggers in New York is $36,780, while the top 10% of earners in California earn over $70,000 per year. At the other extreme, the lowest-paid 10% of earners in Idaho earn under $19,000 per year. People considering becoming Crossing Guards and Flaggers should also consider current and projected employment trends. In 2020, an estimated 85,500 Crossing Guards and Flaggers were employed in the United States. This number is expected to grow by 10%-15% in the next decade, adding 19,100 jobs to the market.
Below are some employment trends for Crossing Guards and Flaggers in the United States:
- Median Salary: $31,450 annually; $15.12 hourly
- Employment: 85,500 employees
- Projected growth (2020-2030): Faster than average (10-15%)
- Projected job openings (2020-2030): 19,200
Information retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections]
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References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections Onetonline.org
