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.

Who We Are:

The Environmental Services Department is part of the Facilities Management and Capital Planning Group.  The group has overall responsibility for the Swarthmore College campus, buildings and grounds.  Daily cleaning and maintenance operations and campus construction are conducted to high sustainability standards; keeping care of the College community and environmental stewardship at the forefront.  Each of the departments:  Environmental Services, Sustainable Maintenance, Grounds, The Scott Arboretum and Sustainable Capital Planning and Project Management, are led by departmental Directors who are close collaborators and peers of the Director of Environmental Services. 

Swarthmore College campus includes over 50 buildings, 1,800,000 gross square feet of space on 425 acres that includes the bucolic Scott Arboretum. The College seeks a Director of Environmental Services to lead a team of professionals to steward the evolution of the College’s campus to realize its strategic vision.

Swarthmore College is engaged in an aspirational and robust capital construction program that includes replacing the College’s combustion steam district energy system with district carbon-free geoexchange, Retiring the College’s Accumulated Deferred Maintenance through the Campus Renewal Program, and the adaptive reuse of Martin Hall.  Planning efforts are underway for significant, phased upgrades to the College’s Athletics Complex.  The College has recently completed a strategic plan that will lead to a campus master planning effort to guide the next decade of the capital program.  All this is conducted with a sharp focus on environmental sustainability and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  It is an exciting time to be at Swarthmore College!

The opportunity:

Reporting to the Associate VP for Sustainable facilities Operations and Capital Planning, the Director accomplishes this by working with campus stakeholders and various consultants, guides the environmental services team that provides an optimal campus environment in academic, research, athletic, auxiliary and residential spaces to support the College’s high academic standards. 

The ideal candidate has vast experience and knowledge in daily cleaning operations, project cleaning and task organization in an institutional facilities management group.  The person will have strong and creative leadership, budget development and management experience, analytical and problem solving competency, sustainability and environmental stewardship as a core value, and is a strong communicator.  Experience in working within an institutional setting is preferred. The ideal candidate is ready to step into this dynamic role and lead the College’s dynamic and diverse environmental services team.

Essential Responsibilities

• Directs the operation and administrative functions of Environmental Services to ensure the efficient and economical functioning of the 100+-member department.
• Develops and sustains a workplace of equity, trust, and collaboration and develops a cohesive and collaborative team.
• Manages and conducts staff annual performance evaluations and maintains accurate and updated employee records.
• Applies standard policies or procedures and creates new procedures for resolving problems or performing tasks that have no precedence.
• Consults and partners with Human Resources on matters related to recruitment, employee relations and staff development and works closely with the Manager of Administration on staffing issues to ensure proper operational procedures are adhered to.
• Financial oversight including preparation of annual budget ($3.7 million 2025), managing and monitoring purchases invoices and expenditures.
• Manages and approves departmental payroll.
• Coordinates, and oversees operations training programs for staff and supervisors including cleaning and appropriate use of chemicals machines and equipment; supports safety training and encourages property safety techniques within the department.
• Partners with the directors of Grounds, Maintenance, Scott Arboretum and and Capital Planning & Project Management to assure coordination, maintenance of standards, minimization of disruptive impact to campus operations, and maximization efficient resource allocation.
• Responds to customer concerns for unfinished or incomplete work; investigates each situation to determine cause, rectifies the situation, and communicates outcomes.
• Responds to EVS maintenance problems and serves as primary contact with Facilities to arrange for necessary repairs.
• Works closely with the Events Management Office and Space Allocation to ensure all college events are supported; including set-up services for events, linen, and room turnover operations for overnight programs.
• Designates work assignments for direct reports to ensure that adjustments are made to compensate for absences due to illness, inclement weather, vacation, etc.
• Supports the development and maintenance of quality assurance programs to ensure cleaning standards are established and maintained.
• Works with external consultants as necessary to improve efficiency and informs architects in the design of new buildings and spaces to ensure custodial needs are met.
• Directs the management of the campus wide zero-waste management operation, including trash, recycling, and composting, and works closely with the Office of Sustainability to help move the college forward in its sustainability effort.
• Coordinates recycling program inside buildings to ensure college wide recycling efforts are being met and supports the College's green initiative programs.
• Finds ways to be more efficient and sustainable. This includes the use of green products on campus.
• Collaborates with the dean's office and student housing dean to properly service the needs of the students in campus residence halls, including resolving damages and charges to property.
• Collaborates with the Athletics, Wellness, and Recreation department to support events and provide specialized cleaning and annual, specialized project cleaning for athletics and wellness spaces.
• Task-organizes EVS team and assists during times of heavy demand (e,g., Commencement, Alumni Weekend, winter break).
• Works with student groups to provide support and guidance with projects or assignments, i.e. Learning for Life.
• Prepares oral and written reports.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Oversight of a 24-hour operation team.
• Directly oversees the work of the Environmental Services Manager and three Environmental Services Supervisors. Oversees a team of three Crew Leaders, a Supply and Project Coordinator, and over 70 full-time and part-time technicians.
• Effectively performs the following:
• Organize workflow and ensure staff understands their duties or delegated tasks.
• Communicate key issues and information to staff members.
• Provide fair, constructive, and timely feedback and coaching
• In partnership with Human Resources, follow disciplinary procedures as established in accordance with the employee handbook
• Participate in supervisory training opportunities
• Maintain a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment. 

Who you are:

• Ability to collaborate and partner with various constituents and to lead, develop, and motivate diverse teams and individuals.
• Excellent written, verbal, and strong communication skills. Must be able to convey information and ideas, train employees, and communicate with staff with professionalism and respect.
• Must be effective at listening to and understanding concerns and issues raised by staff.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressive supervisory and management experience, in housekeeping services or related fields.
• Have supervised subordinate managers for five (5) years or more.
• Have supervised a staff of twenty or more hourly workers.
• Knowledge and technical ability to use computer software, including word processing and spreadsheet programs.
• Familiarity with data management and electronic timecard systems.
• Operating budget oversight experience.
• A valid driver's license.
• Ability to perform various housekeeping tasks, including operating power equipment.
• Knowledge of custodial safety procedures.
• Knowledge of proper sanitization methods. Educated in all 3 waste streams (Municipal, Recycling, Compost).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience at a secondary educational institution.
• Knowledge of and experience in organizational development.
• Knowledge of Google suite of PC applications.

Working Conditions:

• This is an on-site position that requires both indoor and outdoor work in all seasons & weather conditions.
• On-call during non-business hours.
• Occasionally works weekends as business needs require to complete projects, meet heavy demand, or respond to emergencies.
• May occasionally access a roof, elevated work platform, mechanical rooms, utility tunnels, the vivarium and greenhouses.
• May come in contact with various pests, including rodents and insects, as part of the College’s pest management program.
• Exposure to dirt/dust, chemicals/solvents, and noise.
• Frequently exposed to harsh chemicals and odors.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to walk up to a half mile multiple times daily.
• Must be able to physically access all areas of campus, including those listed under the working conditions.
• Must be able to climb stairs and ladders.
• Must be able to read documents and inspect spaces.
• Physical ability required to operate a vehicle (College vehicles, golf carts, and utility vehicles). Ability to identify a driving hazard, process it, make a sound decision, and react appropriately to each situation.
• This position requires the ability to focus for extended periods in a stationary position, including at a desk in front of a computer.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with pay expectations including a resume and cover letter by October 28, 2024. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled.

PA Criminal Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

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 2024 Benefits Flyer. 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.

Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement 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 those with underrepresented identities are encouraged to apply.