Community Resource Lead, Administration & Operations

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 opportunity:

The Community Resource Lead – Administration & Operations for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a key leadership position that enhances both the operational effectiveness and administrative excellence of the department. This role builds upon the core responsibilities of the Community Resource Lead, with added focus on quality assurance, training, and supervision of daily communications and patrol functions, particularly during staffing vacancies or operational disruptions.

The Community Resource Lead – Administration & Operations provides shift leadership and administrative oversight, supporting both frontline response and departmental coordination. This includes fostering positive community relationships within each shift and with campus partners during both emergency and routine operations. The role requires active response to incidents, support for field staff, oversight of follow-up investigations, and leadership in the coordination and supervision of the multi-functional Swarthmore College Communications Center.

This position is responsible for supervising the overall functions of the DPS Communications Center, with indirect supervision responsibilities of all Communications Officers. This position is responsible for ensuring effective, professional communication with students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Lead maintains a strong working knowledge of all Communications Officer responsibilities, including call-taking, dispatch, CCTV monitoring, access control, alarm response, and key control. The schedule for this position will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 11 am-9 pm.

Essential Responsibilities

The Community Resource Lead – Administration & Operations plays a critical role in supervising and supporting patrol personnel, especially in the absence of other leadership staff. They ensure continuity of operations, allocate personnel effectively, and address emergent needs during shift. This role supports the department’s goals through quality assurance practices, coordination of training and onboarding, administrative planning, and supervisory decision-making aligned with departmental and College policies.

This position also functions as a senior field responder, engaging in incident command responsibilities, scene management, and debriefing processes. The Lead works collaboratively with college stakeholders to support student well-being, uphold institutional expectations, and foster a safe, inclusive campus environment. As a key leader in daily operations, this role supports the development of team members, promotes a culture of accountability and care, and ensures the highest standards of service and safety.

Supervision of Patrol and Communications Operations

• Provide leadership and oversight for patrol and communications staff within the DPS, ensuring compliance with departmental Standard Operating Guidance and College expectations.
• Oversee daily operations of the Communications Center, ensuring staff perform duties effectively and efficiently, including dispatching, monitoring CCTV, managing access control systems, and responding to alarms.
• Coordinate and allocate staff as necessary to ensure communication and patrol duties are completed, particularly during staff shortages or vacancies.

Communication and Community Engagement

• Foster positive relationships within the department, with campus partners, and with the broader community, ensuring effective communication across shifts.
• Promote cultural competence and community care through active engagement and collaboration, adapting communication strategies to the diverse campus population.

Incident Response and Crisis Management

• Respond promptly to reported incidents, emergencies, and calls for service, including fire, medical, or security-related matters.
• Demonstrate effective scene management and coordination, ensuring appropriate action is taken, relevant stakeholders are informed, and documentation is thorough.
• Lead the incident response durin