Rapid Response and Community Support Specialist

Position Summary

The Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Specialist is part of the Student Affairs division at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for providing coordinated, real-time response to student-related crises, incidents, and high-impact events across the University.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring student safety, wellbeing, and continuity of care by delivering responsive, student-centered interventions and collaborating with campus partners.

About The Work Unit

Student Affairs serves a central role in student learning and development at Vanderbilt, advancing the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. Student Affairs at Vanderbilt cultivates vibrant, inclusive communities that foster a student’s sense of belonging and wellbeing through collaborative partnerships, transformative learning experiences, and an accessible and holistic network of resources.

Key Functions And Expected Performance

• Serve on the Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Team, a comprehensive crisis and incident management system that is responsive, flexible, and engaged in the University community, and provide direct, on the ground responses with discretion and effective decision-making.
• Participate in a comprehensive training program for response team staff, including crisis response, trauma-informed practices, mediation and conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques, and coordination with campus and community partners.
• Build and sustain relationships with students in residential communities, student organizations, and other spaces.
• Execute 24/7 incident response involving students, including individual student crises, demonstrations and protests, event-related incidents, and other emergent situations.
• Coordinate institutional responses to individual student crises, including mental health emergencies, safety concerns, behavioral incidents, and other urgent student needs.
• Manage demonstrations, protests, and high-impact student activities and events, ensuring appropriate planning, monitoring, and response in collaboration with students, student organizations, and campus partners.
• Participate in the University Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during large-scale events or emergencies involving students.
• Elevate issues to the Manager or Associate Dean, when needed, and ensure clear and consistent documentation of responses.
• Collaborate with campus partners including Public Safety, Residential Experience, Student Care Network, Office of the General Counsel, and Communications to ensure coordinated, consistent, and student-centered responses.
• Coordinate transitions of care following crises or incidents by connecting students to appropriate campus and community resources for ongoing support and follow-up.

Institutional, Divisional, and Department Administration

• Contribute to the broader mission and objectives of Student Affairs and the University by serving on divisional and institutional committees, task forces, and working groups.
• Actively participate in key divisional initiatives and events, including Move-In Day and all-division meetings and gatherings.
• Maintain a working knowledge of relevant university policies, procedures, and systems—such as those related to travel, procurement, expense, and time reporting—to ensure effective, compliant, and responsible operations.
• Demonstrate a collaborative spirit by supporting divisional colleagues and engaging in efforts that advance shared goals and strategic priorities.

Supervisory Relationships

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Manager.

Education And Certifications

• A bachelor’s degree is necessary.
• A master’s degree in higher education, counseling, social work, or a related field is preferred.

Experience And Skills

• At least two years of experience in higher education or crisis response is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-pressure situations is required.
• Experience with crisis intervention and de-escalation is preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills are strongly preferred.