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.

Position Summary

The Department of Public Safety is currently accepting applications for the position of Community Resource Officer (CRO) Patrol/Communication. The CRO Patrol/Communication is essential to the success of our community caretaking model and community engagement role. They are responsible for responding to routine and emergency calls for service, conducting initial and follow up investigations as appropriate, 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 position maintains control of incoming telephone calls while providing direction for outgoing calls that are not direct dial accessible. The Officer courteously provides information and assistance by telephone, radio or in person to faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The dispatch of internal communications, monitoring of CCTV, Access Control and both fire and intrusion alarms, as well as key control of organizations’ keys are all integral functions of the position. Coordination of communication or responding to incidents under demanding emergency conditions is an essential skill. Performs other duties as assigned. We are currently hiring for the first shift, 6:30am-2:30pm, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off.

Essential Responsibilities

The expectations for the CRO Patrol/Communication is that they fully engage with the concepts of "community caretaking,” building partnerships that support the safety of every member of the community, such as through the Building Resource Officer Program. 

Public Safety’s mission is to provide a safe and secure learning, living, and working environment. The department endeavors to provide a prompt, professional presence while also instilling personal responsibility and accountability for the rules and regulations of the College and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

We believe safety is a shared responsibility. We strive to meet and surpass our guiding principles: 

• Protect persons and property by thoughtfully preempting and proactively reducing risks on our campus. 
• Preserve the peace by promptly and effectively responding to the needs of our community, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and consideration among all its diverse members, and instilling a sense of accountability for individuals and groups adhering to college policies, as well as local, state, and federal regulations.
• Inspire confidence and trust as representatives of the College by being a prompt, professional presence in all interactions.
• Cultivate and maintain clear channels of communication within our team and with the broader College community. 
• Collaborate with our community in the spirit of Swarthmore’s Quaker values, meeting our shared goal of a safe campus by building strong and intentional ties both on and off campus.
• Create and remain an accessible, caring, and engaged presence throughout your time on campus.
• Share our expertise and continually enhance our knowledge, training, and initiatives through innovative approaches to community policing, involving all our community members in the work of keeping our campus safe. 

The Public Safety officer is the principal agent responsible for carrying out the functions of the Swarthmore College Department of Public Safety. These functions include protection of life and property, as well as a variety of other services to achieve and maintain the goals of the Department. The officer must take appropriate action for the preservation of the peace and good order of the college community. These actions include the enforcement of college regulations, traffic and parking rules, facility use rules, student code of conduct rules, and Pa. State Crime and Vehicle Codes.

1. Patrol the campus on foot, by motor vehicle, 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 to students, faculty, staff and visitors. Promptly respond to reported incidents and calls for service and take appropriate action in the context of the situation and within the guidelines contained in 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 thereby preventing unauthorized entry. Observe and report unsafe conditions, such as fire and safety hazards, lighting outages, and security violations.2
2. Immediately respond to building fire alarms or to areas within buildings that are protected by intrusion, panic, sprinkler or other assistance alarm equipment to determine if a problem exists or if further investigation is required and ensure all department guidelines are followed for each occurrence.
3. Immediately respond to fire emergencies, investigate and request fire department support as needed. Assist fire department and provide vehicle and pedestrian traffic control. Perform various duties consistent with an aggressive fire prevention program such as inspection of firefighting equipment, (including precise monthly inspection and replacement of fire extinguishers), conducting fire exit drills, and perform related duties with regard to the college’s general safety program.
4. Immediately respond to medical emergencies, administer first aid and/or render assistance to injured or ill persons. Request Emergency Medical Service response as required. Transport sick and injured students and employees to the Health Center or health care facility when their condition is a non-emergency and ambulance or medical services are not required.
5. Document complete and accurate reports concerning incidents and calls for service. The use of a computer and software is required for incident documentation. Investigate and conduct interviews to ensure thorough reports of criminal acts, vehicle and pedestrian accidents, complaints from community members, injured persons (I.e. Worker Compensation) and suspicious persons or activity. Conduct searches and through recognized means, extract evidence from scenes of crimes.
6. Routinely interacts with the Office of Student Engagement (OSE), residence assistants (RA), and other College faculty, staff, and students during normal patrol, sharing information and valuable safety and security techniques.
7. Provide escorts and protection as assigned for students, employees, dignitaries, transfer of cash/securities (i.e. Business office, college post office) and movements of hazardous or highly valuable materials.
8. Operate and maintain proficiency in the use of mobile and portable radio equipment. Verbal communications using two-way radios must be brief, courteous, and to the point. To ensure that FCC regulations are followed, the Officer shall restrict radio communications to those matters which cannot be accomplished by some other means. Profanity is never to be used over the air. All department radio equipment shall be used and handled with care. The Public Safety Officer shall also be responsible for the proper operation and care of other equipment owned by the department and frequently used in patrol operations.
9. Provide crowd control management duties at public events such as intercollegiate athletic events, protest demonstrations, cultural activities and scheduled public appearances by foreign and domestic dignitaries. Control and direct motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic when large crowds attend special events.
10. Perform crime prevention duties as required. Discuss crime prevention, fire and safety with students, faculty and staff. Routinely, and as required, meet with Resident Assistants and students to discuss concerns, resolve individual and group issues consistent with the Department’s Community Resource Officer “Adopt-A-Building” crime prevention program.
11. Operate patrol vehicles under varying conditions, on roadways and in pedestrian movement from routine to emergency situations. Maintain a visible image to the campus to deter potential violators. Assist the motoring public on campus when they incur problems of mechanical nature, such as vehicle jump starts and vehicle lockouts.
12. When not actively engaged in specific department sanctioned duties, the officer will revert to a continuous systematic patrol of the campus and routine building checks. The Public Safety Officer will conduct vehicle and bike patrols which are limited to within college boundaries and shall remain on college property unless called to assist a local law enforcement agency immediately adjacent to campus.

Additional Responsibilities

• In the absence of the regularly assigned Communications Officer, a Public Safety officer is required to perform communications duties such as: operate the phone console, answer emergency phones, monitor electronic equipment and computer terminals, maintain a key log issuing keys to authorized persons, operate a radio unit directing officers to respond to calls for assistance, and perform other duties as assigned or directed in the communication center.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Public Safety officer may be designated to qualify and serve as a resource. They may have Specialized training and subsequently be required for designated duties:

1. Collect and preserve evidence at crime scenes using special photographic techniques, latent fingerprint dusting powders, and other special equipment used by a crime scene technician.

2. Conduct shift briefings and assume command and supervision of a patrol shift during the absence of a supervisor. Determine and implement directed patrol efforts for their respective duty hours.

Qualifications

Required

• High School diploma or equivalent with a minimum of three years’ experience in the security, public safety, communications or community service field, preferably in a college or similar environment or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to operate motorized vehicles.
• 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.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to deal courteously with the general public, staff, faculty, students, peers, and supervisors.
• 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.

Preferred

• College degree, PA Act 235 Certification or PA Act 120 Certification, de-escalation, Mental Health First Aid and APCO Certification 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 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 Officer to be exposed to environmental factors such as inclement weather, extreme heat and cold, and hazardous materials.
• Must be willing to work overtime shifts when required occasionally on short notice.
• Must adapt to change in shift schedules.
• Required to be available to work during inclement weather or other emergency situations even if the campus has otherwise canceled operations, in order to ensure continuous protection of the college community.

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 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.