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 Communication Officer is singularly 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 alarm systems and intrusion alarms and control of student organizations’ keys are all integral functions of the position. Coordination of communication under demanding emergency conditions is an essential skill.  *This position is a Non-Exempt Pay Grade 04.

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.

Essential Responsibilities:
The expectations for the COMM/PSO's are that they fully engage with the concepts of "community policing,” building partnerships that support the safety of every member of the community, such as through the Community Resource Officer Program.
Public Safety’s mission is to work in partnership with the Swarthmore College community to provide a safe and secure learning, living, and working environment. The department endeavors to foster an atmosphere in which officers provide a prompt, professional presence in order to remain aware of and responsive to the diverse community in which they serve, while justly enforcing the rules and regulations of the College and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The DPS is committed to upholding the College’s mission of fostering leadership for the common good by providing a safe and secure learning, living, and working environment for all members of our vibrant and diverse community. We believe safety is a responsibility.To that end, we work diligently to:
- 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 justly enforcing local, state, and federal rules and 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.
Officers are expected to participate in community engagement activities. Officers are to report for duty in a dependable and timely fashion. The officer must be willing to work overtime shifts when required occasionally on short notice. The officer must adapt to change in shift schedules.

Additional Responsibilities:
The position requires that Communication Officers also be cross trained as a Public Safety Officers (PSO's).  PSO's may be exposed to environmental factors such as inclement weather, extreme heat and cold, and hazardous materials. PSO's are required to be available to work during inclement weather or other emergency situations even if the campus has otherwise canceled operations.
PSO's are the principal agent responsible for 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must successfully complete an on the job training program and a six month new employee period. High School diploma or equivalent required. Minimum of three years’ experience in the security, public safety, law enforcement, and communications field, preferably in a college or similar environment and/or experience in a busy office setting in a call-taking environment.

• Must have excellent communication and customer service skills to deal effectively with a wide variety of College personnel and/or outside individuals/organizations.
• Good computer skills required.
• Ability to work and maintain a positive relationship with Public Safety staff and other personnel.
• The ability to work independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills. The ability to write legibly and speak clearly.
• The ability to prioritize multiple tasks occurring simultaneously and effectuate timely and appropriate communication responses is an essential skill.
• Ability to effectively follow department protocols as they relate to specific incidents including but not limited to bomb threats, sexual assaults and fire emergencies
• Knowledge of, and the location of, all logs, forms and reference materials used to support the functions of the Communications Center.
• Ability to receive and analyze calls and route them appropriately. Collect information necessary for incidents in progress and effectively notify appropriate Department personnel.
• Demonstrated ability in articulating information both in writing and in speech.
• Written matter must be consistently clear, concise, and complete and grammatically correct.
• Skill in standard radio dispatch protocols. Possess the ability to effectively communicate with local police, fire, and EMS services. And to effectively coordinate one or more of these services with College staff under emergency conditions.
• Must be able to consistently demonstrate strong human relations, communication and interpersonal skills to effectively provide public service in a diverse academic environment.
• The Communication Officer, in the course of routine duties, will have exposure to confidential and sensitive reports and information. Department protocols regarding the dissemination of this information in any form must be strictly adhered to at all times.


Preferred Qualifications:
College degree, PA Act 235 Certification or PA Act 120 Certification, CPTED and APCO Certification preferred. De-escalation Training and strong customer service/communication skills are crucial. A background and understanding of community policing concepts would be a plus. Focus on the Five Cs of Effective Community Policing: communication, collaboration, care, concern and creativity.

An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.

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.