Part-Time Public Safety Officer (Night Shift)

Public Value; Swarthmore (Delaware County); On-site; USD 24,796 - 35,817; Part time

Job summary

Swarthmore College is hiring a Part-Time Community Resource Officer for on-call 7:00 pm to 7:00 am coverage. The role emphasizes patrol, incident response, and safety enforcement across the campus while ensuring the protection of students, staff, and visitors.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent with at least three years in security/public safety, a valid driver's license, and strong written and verbal communication. A college degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent with a minimum of three years of experience in security/public safety or related field.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to operate motorized vehicles.
• Excellent oral, written, and verbal communication to convey information clearly to management, public, staff, and students.

Responsibilities

• Patrol campus on foot, vehicle, or bicycle to deter violations and hazards and assist students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
• Respond to incidents, calls for service, and emergencies per SOP and training.
• Respond to alarms, fires, and medical emergencies; request EMS/fire support as needed.
• Document complete, accurate incident reports and conduct interviews for investigations.
• Enforce campus traffic safety and parking regulations consistently.
• Provide escorts and protection for students, staff, dignitaries, and movement of valuable materials; manage crowd control at events.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Vehicle operation

Education

High school diploma

College degree

Job description

Overview

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 Department of Public Safety is currently accepting applications for Part-Time Community Resource Officer (CRO)/Patrol. This is a part-time position with the expectation that you will be available on-call to cover staffing vacancies and assist during large events as needed. This position will be on call for the 7:00 pm to 7:00 am shift.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the campus on foot, by motor vehicle, or bicycle to deter criminal and traffic violations, detect safety hazards, facilitate the safe movement of traffic, detect and 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 in the context of the situation and within the guidelines contained in the department’s Standard Operating Guidance and Field Training program.
• Immediately respond to building fire alarms or to areas within buildings protected by intrusion, panic, sprinkler, or other assistance 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 the investigation and conducting of interviews to ensure thorough reports of criminal acts, vehicle and pedestrian incidents, and other concerns.
• 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, and provide crowd control management duties at public events and direct motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic when large crowds attend special events, and other job-related duties as assigned.

Who You Are

• Excellent oral, written, and verbal communication skills to convey clear and concise information to management, the general public, staff, and students, such as giving directions, writing reports/incidents, explaining policy and procedures, and encouraging others to comply with requests.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent with a minimum of three years of 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 or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• 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 general public, staff, and students, such as giving directions, writing reports/incidents, explaining policy and procedures, and encouraging others to comply with requests.

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 of time; walk, run, climb, bend, stoop, and lift weights proportionate with the need to perform medical assistance; wear a uniform and equipment; and operate a motor vehicle.
• Lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy objects up to 40 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching.
• Must be able to traverse all types of terrain, including up and down hills and on off-road uneven surfaces.
• See objects in detail under various conditions (i.e., at night, up close, far away, and peripherally).

Working Conditions

• The position requires the Community Resource Officer to be exposed to environmental factors such as inclement weather, extreme heat and cold, and hazardous materials.
• Based on College necessity, shift schedules changes may result in overtime requirements.
• Required to be available to work during inclement weather or other emergency situations, even if the campus has otherwise canceled operations, to ensure continuous protection of the college community.

What You Will Get

You’ll work at one of the world’s most renowned liberal arts colleges, with a comprehensive benefits package and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College’s students, faculty, and staff.

Clearances and Additional Requirements

Act 153 Clearance: This position may routinely interact with minors. Under the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, employees who have direct contact with minors are required to obtain the following background clearances prior to the start of employment:

• 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: A motor vehicle record clearance is required prior to the start of employment due to operating a College-owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities.

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. 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