Part-Time Public Safety Officer (Day Shift)

Public Value; Swarthmore (Delaware County); On-site; USD 22,041 - 33,062; Part time

Job summary

Swarthmore College’s Public Safety department seeks a Part-Time Community Resource Officer to protect students, staff, and visitors. You will respond to routine and emergency calls, conduct initial and follow-up investigations, and coordinate with campus departments.

This role requires a high school diploma with three years in security or related fields, a valid driver’s license, and strong written and verbal communication. On-call shifts run 7:00 am–7:00 pm, with 24/7/365 coverage at times.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent with at least three years of experience in security, public safety, law enforcement, or communications, preferably in a college or busy office/call-taking environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to operate motorized vehicles.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to convey clear information to management, the public, staff, and students, including giving directions and writing reports.

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.
• Promptly respond to reported incidents and calls for service and take appropriate action within the department’s Standard Operating Guidance and Field Training program.
• Immediately respond to building fire alarms or areas within buildings protected by intrusion, panic, sprinkler, or other alarm equipment.
• Immediately respond to fire and medical emergencies, investigate, and request fire/EMS department support as needed.
• Document complete and accurate reports concerning incidents and calls for service, including investigations and interviews to ensure thorough reports of criminal acts, vehicle and pedestrian accidents, complaints from community members, injured persons, and suspicious activity.
• Consistently enforce campus traffic safety and parking violations.
• Provide escorts and protection as assigned for students, employees, dignitaries, and movements of hazardous or highly valuable materials; manage crowd control at public events and direct motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic during large events.

Skills

Excellent oral and written comms

Customer service orientation

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

College degree (preferred)

PA Act 235/PA Act 120 Certification (preferred)

De-escalation certification (preferred)

Mental Health First Aid certification (preferred)

APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator 1 (preferred)

Job description

Overview

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The college integrates academic rigor with social responsibility and is committed to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices. Swarthmore draws students from around the nation and world, with a 425-acre campus including arboretum grounds, gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in Crum Woods.

Who We Are: Public Safety provides a safe and secure learning, living, and working environment. The department aims to be prompt and professional while promoting personal responsibility for College and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania rules and regulations. We believe safety is a shared responsibility. The department welcomes candidates who contribute to a diverse and inclusive community. The Department of Public Safety is currently accepting applications for a Part-Time Community Resource Officer (CRO)/Patrol. This is a part-time position with on-call availability to cover staffing vacancies and assist during large events. On-call shifts are from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The Opportunity

The CRO is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of Swarthmore College students, campus property, community members, and visitors. The officer engages with the community in a courteous and proactive manner. As an officer, you are a first responder to incidents involving the College and provide service for routine and emergency calls. You will conduct initial and follow-up investigations as needed and respond to medical, fire, and intrusion alarm incidents. Clear verbal and written communication is required for making reports on incidents and investigations. You will also contribute to the Swarthmore College Communication Center operations, requiring multitasking to manage incoming calls and coordinate outgoing calls to other campus departments. Officers will provide information and assistance via telephone, radio, or in person to faculty, staff, students, and visitors. You will dispatch internal communications from monitoring CCTV, Access Control, and fire and intrusion alarms, as well as manage campus key control. Public Safety operates 24/7/365 and may require coordination during demanding emergency conditions, such as inclement weather. Ongoing training in CPR/First Aid/AED, Stop the Bleed, De-escalation, and Mental Health First Aid is provided.

Essential 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.
• Promptly respond to reported incidents and calls for service and take appropriate action within the department’s Standard Operating Guidance and Field Training program.
• Immediately respond to building fire alarms or areas within buildings protected by intrusion, panic, sprinkler, or other alarm equipment.
• Immediately respond to fire and medical emergencies, investigate, and request fire/EMS department support as needed.
• Document complete and accurate reports concerning incidents and calls for service, including investigations and interviews to ensure thorough reports of criminal acts, vehicle and pedestrian accidents, complaints from community members, injured persons, and suspicious activity.
• Consistently enforce campus traffic safety and parking violations.
• Provide escorts and protection as assigned for students, employees, dignitaries, and movements of hazardous or highly valuable materials; manage crowd control at public events and direct motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic during large events.

Who You Are

• Excellent oral and written communication skills to convey clear information to management, the general public, staff, and students; capable of giving directions, writing reports, explaining policy and procedures, and encouraging compliance.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent with at least three years of experience in security, public safety, law enforcement, or communications, preferably in a college or busy office/call-taking environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to operate motorized vehicles.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to convey clear information to management, the public, staff, and students, including giving directions and writing reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• College degree
• PA Act 235 Certification or PA Act 120 Certification
• De-escalation certification, mental health first aid certification
• APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator 1 certification

Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods; walk, run, climb, bend, stoop, lift weights as needed to perform medical assistance; wear a uniform and equipment; operate a motor vehicle.
• Lifting or moving up to 40 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking.
• Bending, kneeling, or crouching.
• Traverse various terrains, including up and down hills and off-road surfaces.
• See objects in detail under varying conditions (night, near, far, peripheral).

Working Conditions

• Exposure to environmental factors such as inclement weather, extreme heat and cold, and hazardous materials.
• Shift schedules may change; overtime may be required based on college needs.
• Must be available to work during inclement weather or emergencies to ensure continuous protection of the college community.

What You Will Get

You will work at one of the world’s renowned liberal arts colleges, with competitive benefits, a 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who support the College’s students, faculty, and staff.

Clearances and Equal Opportunity

Act 153 Clearance Required by Position: This position may interact with minors. As required by Pennsylvania law, applicants with direct contact with minors must obtain:

• 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 Clearance Required by Position: A motor vehicle record (MVR) clearance is required before employment start due to the use of a College-owned vehicle.

Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.

Advertised: Jul 15, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time