The City employs approximately 30 school crossing guards for each school year from September to June. School crossing guards are dedicated professionals that work every school day in sun, rain, or snow to ensure elementary school-aged children safely cross streets on their way to and from school. School crossing guards wear a reflective vest and use a stop sign paddle to create safe gaps in traffic for children to cross. The presence of school crossing guards also reminds motorists they are driving along a road that is used as an active route to school by young children.

Join the crossing guard team

If you’re a reliable and safety-conscious individual who is outgoing and enjoys working outdoors in all weather conditions, you may be suited to be a school crossing guard.

Apply to become a crossing guard

About the role

There are several different types of school crossing guards that the City employs. Regular School Crossing Guards work in the morning and afternoon every school day between September and June. Most Regular School Crossing Guards work at the same school crossing location each day. There is a special type of Regular School Crossing Guard referred to as a “floater”, who works every school day but may be required to travel to different school crossing locations across Kingston to help cover shifts when vacancies arise.

When new school crossing locations become available during the school year, Regular School Crossing Guards are able to apply to change locations based on seniority. Regular School Crossing Guards are paid for holidays and PA days during the school year, including the Winter Break. After three years of continuous service, Regular School Crossing Guards are also eligible to be paid for the March Break.

The City also hires Relief School Crossing Guards that work on a casual basis and help cover shifts when Regular School Crossing Guards are absent from work. The Relief School Crossing Guard position is suitable for those who are interested in the job but are not able to work every school day in the morning and afternoon.

Pay and additional benefits

School crossing guards are members of CUPE 109 and are paid for 3.5 hours per day for the completion of the assigned shifts (typically early morning and afternoon). On top of the hourly rate, school crossing guards receive an additional 13 per cent in lieu of benefits. Shift lengths vary from 35 to 90 minutes depending on the location. Longer shifts typically include a 15 to 20-minute break during the shift to rest. In January of each year, school crossing guards receive a generous clothing/boot allowance to put towards new outerwear. School crossing guards also get summers off to relax when schools are closed in July and August.

Visit the Career Opportunities page to view current openings and to apply.

Leave a compliment

If you’d like to leave a compliment for a school crossing guard in your neighbourhood, visit the Contact Us page or call 613-546-0000. You can also show a crossing guard how much you care by printing out a thank you card.

School crossing locations

The City currently provides school crossing guards at 25 different locations. School crossings are strategically located near elementary schools that are part of the Limestone District School Board and the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board. School crossing locations are based on several factors, including the number of students who use the crossing and the number of conflicting vehicle movements.

School crossing guards are located at:

• Barrie St. and Clergy St.
• Barrie St. and Johnson St.
• Bayridge Dr. south of Taylor Kidd Blvd.
• Birchwood Dr. and Brackenwood Cres.
• Cataraqui Woods Dr. and Cedarwood Dr.
• Cataraqui Woods Dr. east of Larchwood Cres.
• Development Dr. and Truedell Rd.
• Elliott Ave. and Lyons St.
• Front Rd. and Lakeview Ave.
• Henderson Blvd. east of Ashley Cres.
• Hudson Dr. (across from 1066 Hudson Dr.)
• Johnson St. and MacDonnell St.
• Johnson St. between Mowat Ave. and Yonge St.
• Kirkpatrick St. and Lyons St.
• Lancaster Dr. and Limestone Dr.
• Montreal St. and MacCauley St.
• Norman Rogers Dr. (across from 120 Norman Rogers Dr.)
• Norman Rogers Dr. south of Mulcaster St.
• Ordnance St. and Sydenham St.
• Queen Mary Rd. and Robert Wallace Dr.
• Rose Abbey Dr. and St. Martha St.
• St. Martha St. and Jasmine St.
• Taylor Kidd Blvd. and Milford Dr.
• Taylor Kidd Blvd. and Pembridge Cres.
• Union St. and MacDonnell St.
• Waterloo Dr. and Grandtrunk Ave.
• Welborne Ave. just south of Everitt Ave.
• Weller Ave. and Wiley St.

Crossing guard times

School crossings are staffed for a minimum of 35 minutes near arrival and dismissal times. Some locations may also be staffed during school lunch breaks. While the City strives to provide excellent service during the school year, crossing guard services may be temporarily interrupted due to extreme weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

How parents can help

• Plan a safe walking route with your child
• Become familiar with your crossing guard's schedule
• Set a good example and obey all traffic signs
• Encourage your child not to wear headphones when walking near traffic
• Encourage your child to walk their bicycle or carry their skateboard when crossing the road

How motorists can help

• Stop when the crossing guard and the children are preparing to cross or are in the roadway
• Stop before reaching a crosswalk when the crossing guard’s stop sign is held high
• Remain stopped until all children have crossed safely and the crossing guard has exited the roadway
• Be courteous and attentive if you see a crossing guard. Obey the crossing guard at all school crossings
• Obey speed limits and community safety zones at all times

Legal authority

Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, school crossing guards are legally permitted to stop traffic by raising their stop sign paddle. All vehicles, including cyclists, are required to come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the children and school crossing guard have fully exited the roadway. Any violation is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act. Drivers who endanger pedestrians by failing to yield at a school crossing can be fined up to $1000 and may face 4 demerit points. If the school crossing is located in a Community Safety Zone, the fines may be doubled.

To learn more about the rules, visit the Ministry of Transportation Website.