Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

The opportunity:

The Community Resource Lead for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is an integral part of the support and resource network on campus. The Community Resource Lead is responsible for building positive community relationships throughout campus as well as for responding to routine and emergency calls for service, conducting initial and follow-up investigations as appropriate, and responding to medical incidents and both fire and intrusion alarms. They are also responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the multi-faceted Swarthmore College Communication Center.

The Community Resource Lead has oversight of personnel who receive incoming telephone calls while providing direction for outgoing calls that are not direct dial accessible. The Community Resource Lead ensures that officers courteously provide information and assistance to faculty, staff, students, and visitors by telephone, radio, or in person. The Community Resource Lead ensures that personnel are dispatched to a variety of routine and emergency incidents and may be the initial point of contact with the Department of Public Safety.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Monitor and review data from alarm systems, CCTV, Access Control, and a variety of essential equipment.
• Patrol the campus on foot, motor vehicle, electric vehicle, and/or bicycle to deter criminal and traffic violations, detect safety hazards, facilitate the safe movement of traffic, detect and investigate criminal activity, and provide general assistance.
• Promptly respond to reported incidents and calls for service and take appropriate action in the context of the situation and within the guidelines of the department’s Standard
• Operating Procedure and Field Training program.
• Consistently enforce campus traffic safety and parking violations.
• Conduct ongoing security patrols of all college buildings, grounds, and Crum Woods.
• Check doors and windows to ensure they are secured. Observe and report unsafe conditions.
• Respond to all campus emergencies (fire, medical, law enforcement) reported to Public Safety.
• Document complete and accurate reports concerning incidents and calls for service.
• Provide escorts and protection as assigned for students, employees, dignitaries, transfer of cash/securities, and movements of hazardous or highly valuable materials.

Supervisory Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Directly supervises a team of Community Resource Officers.
• Participate in supervisory training opportunities.
• Maintains a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment.

Who you are:

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to deal courteously with the general public, patients, staff, faculty, students, peers, supervisors, and subordinates.
• Ability to perceive the possibility of hazardous situations, react quickly, and take appropriate action based on established policies and procedures and departmental guidelines.
• Ability to function and work in a diverse work environment.
• Demonstrates good judgment in handling situations not covered by written or verbal instructions.
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor under stressful conditions and utilize conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy, patience, and courtesy in dealing with a wide variety of individuals.

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent with 5 years of job-related experience in the security, public safety, law enforcement, communication, or community service field.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory experience.
• Excellent oral, written, and verbal communication skills to convey clear and concise information to management, the general public, staff, and students, such as giving directions, writing reports/incidents, explaining policy and procedures, and encouraging others to comply with requests.
• Must be familiar with CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) programs.
• Strong organization skills and the ability to multitask are essential.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to operate motorized vehicles.
• Supervisory experience in a college or similar environment and/or experience in a busy office setting in a call-taking environment is preferred.
• College degree, PA Act 235 Certification or PA Act 120 Certification, and experience in CPTED and APCO Certifications preferred.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time; walk, run, climb, bend, stoop, and lift weights proportionate with the need to perform medical assistance; wear a uniform and equipment; and operate a motor vehicle.
• Lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy objects up to 40 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching.
• Must be able to traverse all types of terrain, including up and down hills and on off-road uneven surfaces.
• See objects in detail under various conditions (i.e., at night, up close, far away, and peripherally).

Working Conditions:

• The position requires the Community Resource Leads to be exposed to environmental factors such as inclement weather, extreme heat, and cold, and hazardous materials.
• Leads are required to be available to work during inclement weather or other emergency situations, even if the campus has otherwise canceled operations.

Act 153 Required by Position 

This position may regularly interact with minors. Under Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, (23 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§6301, et seq.) employees who have direct contact with minors are required to obtain the following background clearances prior to the start of employment:

• Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) through the Pennsylvania State Police
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (PACA) through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
• FBI Criminal History Background Check (FBI Fingerprint).

MVR Required by Position

Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.

Review the Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

Tuition Grant Program

Paid Time Off (Staff) 

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.