Community Resource Officer Patrol/Communications

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. The College has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination, 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 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.

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 instilling personal responsibility and accountability for the rules and regulations of the College and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Safety is a shared responsibility, and the department strives to meet and surpass its guiding principles.

About the role

The Community Resource Officer (CRO) is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of Swarthmore College students, campus property, community members, and visitors. The officer will engage courteously and actively with the community, serving as a first responder to incidents and providing service for routine and emergency calls. This position operates on the third shift, working 7:00 pm to 7:00 am.

The CRO will conduct initial and follow-up investigations, respond to medical, fire, and intrusion alarm incidents, and maintain clear verbal and written communication for incident reports. The role also involves efficient operation of the Swarthmore College Communication Center, managing incoming and outgoing calls, dispatching internal communications, monitoring CCTV and access control systems, and managing key control for campus use. Public Safety operates 24/7/365, requiring coordination and response under demanding conditions, including inclement weather. Ongoing training is provided in areas such as CPR/First Aid/AED, Stop the Bleed, De-escalation, and Mental Health First Aid.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the campus on foot, by motor vehicle, or bicycle to deter criminal and traffic violations, detect safety hazards, facilitate safe traffic movement, investigate criminal activity, and provide general assistance to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
• Observe and report unsafe conditions, such as fire and safety hazards, lighting outages, and security violations.
• Respond promptly to reported incidents and calls for service, taking appropriate action within department guidelines.
• Respond immediately to building fire alarms, intrusion alarms, panic alarms, sprinkler alarms, and other assistance alarms.
• Respond to fire and medical emergencies, investigate, and request fire/EMS support as needed.
• Document complete and accurate reports for incidents, including investigations and interviews related to criminal acts, vehicle/pedestrian accidents, complaints, injuries, and suspicious activity.
• Enforce campus traffic safety and parking violations.
• Provide escorts and protection for students, employees, dignitaries, and movements of hazardous or valuable materials.
• Perform crowd control and traffic direction during public events and other assigned duties.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of three years of experience in security, public safety, law enforcement, or communications, preferably in a college or similar environment, and/or experience in a busy call-taking environment.
• 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 public, staff, and students.

Preferred Qualifications

• College degree.
• PA Act 235 Certification or PA Act 120 Certification.
• De-escalation certification or Mental Health First Aid certification.
• APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator 1 certification.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to walk, run, climb, bend, stoop, and lift weights proportionate with providing medical assistance.
• Ability to wear a uniform and equipment and operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to lift, pull, or push heavy objects up to 40 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching.
• Ability to traverse all types of terrain, including hills and uneven surfaces.
• Ability to see objects in detail under various conditions (e.g., at night, up close, far away, and peripherally).

Working Conditions

• Exposure to environmental factors such as inclement weather, extreme heat and cold, and hazardous materials.
• Shift schedules may change based on College necessity, and overtime may be required.
• Availability to work during inclement weather or other emergency situations, even if the campus has canceled operations, to ensure continuous protection of the college community.

Pay

$24.34 per hour.

Benefits

• Benefit plans starting at zero cost.
• Upon eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account, with 100% vesting on the date participation begins.
• Retirement Plans.
• Tuition Grant Program.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Paid Time Off (for staff).
• Holiday Schedule.

This position may regularly interact with minors and requires Pennsylvania Act 153 clearances, including Pennsylvania State Police criminal history, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and FBI Criminal History Background Check (fingerprinting). A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) clearance is also required due to the operation of College-owned vehicles.