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 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, 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 incumbent 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 by telephone, radio or in person to faculty, staff, students, and visitors. In addition, Community Resource Leads must have a working knowledge of the primary responsibilities of communication officers such as, dispatching 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.

Community Resource Leads are responsible for ensuring that officers are carrying out the functions of the Swarthmore College DPS. These functions include community policing, 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.

The Community Resource Lead ensures that personnel are dispatched to a variety of routine and emergency incidents. They 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.
● Perform crime prevention and community policing duties as required. Discuss crime prevention, fire and safety with students, faculty and staff. Participate in the Community Resource Officer program. 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” crime prevention/awareness program.
● 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
● Directly supervises a team of Community Resource Officers.
● Effectively performs the following:
o Provide fair, constructive, and timely feedback and coaching to staff to drive performance and work toward established goals developed during the annual performance assessment process.
o Organize workflow and ensure employees understand their duties or delegated tasks.
o Prepare lesson plans, scheduling and conduct in-service/roll call training programs for patrol and communications personnel.
o Conduct shift briefings and assume command and supervision of a patrol shift during the absence of a sergeant or other supervisor. Determine and implement directed patrol efforts for their respective duty hours.
o Ensure staff have professional development plans in place. Provide and develop training opportunities for staff, such as retreats, attendance to conferences, webinars for the ongoing training and development of staff.
o Communicate key issues and information to staff members and student workers.
● Continually assess performance through established standards and apply corrective measures as required. Communicate with the Associate Vice President of Campus Services, Director of Public Safety, Associate Director of Public Safety and/or Human Resources to escalate performance issues.
● Participate in supervisory training opportunities.
● Maintains a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment.

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.
● 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.
● 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, 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.

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 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.

Preferred Qualifications:
● Supervisory experience in a college or similar environment and/or experience in a busy office setting in a call-taking environment.
● College degree, PA Act 235 Certification or PA Act 120 Certification, also experience in CPTED and APCO Certifications.
● De-escalation and/or Mental Health, First-Aid Training and strong customer service/communication skills are crucial.
● A background and understanding of community policing concepts and implicit bias is a plus.
● Focus on the Five Cs of Effective Community Policing: communication, collaboration, care, concern and creativity.

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.

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About Swarthmore College

Since its founding in 1864, Swarthmore College has given students the knowledge, insight, skills, and experience to become leaders for the common good. Offering a liberal arts and engineering curriculum, the College is private, yet open to all regardless of financial need. It is also decidedly global in outlook, drawing students from around the world and all 50 states. The diversity of perspectives represented by Swarthmore students, faculty, and staff - including different viewpoints, identities, and histories - contributes to the community's strong sense of open dialogue and engagement with ideas and issues.

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