Emergency Preparedness & Training Coordinator

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.

Who We Are:

Public Safety’s mission is to provide a safe and secure learning, living, and working environment. The department endeavors to provide a prompt, professional presence while also instilling personal responsibility and accountability for the rules and regulations of the College and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We believe safety is a shared responsibility. We strive to meet and surpass our guiding principles that can be found here.

The Department of Public Safety is currently accepting applications for the position of Community Resource Officer (CRO) Patrol/Communication.

The opportunity:

Swarthmore College is seeking an Entry-Level Emergency Preparedness and Training Coordinator to support campus safety through emergency preparedness, response planning, fire and life safety initiatives, and training coordination. This position will play a key role in developing and maintaining emergency management programs while overseeing training initiatives for the Public Safety Department and other external stakeholders.

Essential Responsibilities

Emergency Management & Preparedness:

Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining the college’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and campus departmental Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP).

Support campus emergency planning, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies.

Work with campus stakeholders to ensure compliance with relevant laws, including the Clery Act and FEMA guidelines.

Maintain emergency communication systems, including mass notification platforms.

Help plan and conduct emergency drills, tabletop exercises, and after-action reviews.

Fire & Life Safety:

Assist in fire safety inspections, hazard assessments, and enforcement of campus fire prevention policies.

Support the maintenance and testing of fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting in coordination with Facilities Management.

Develop and implement fire evacuation drills and ensure compliance with local fire codes and NFPA/Federal standards.

Provide fire safety education and training to students, faculty, and staff, including fire extinguisher use and emergency evacuation procedures.

Coordinate monthly fire extinguisher inspections.

Training & Professional Development:

Assist in development of and oversee training programs for the Public Safety Department related to emergency response, crisis management, task/duty specific training, and compliance.

Ensure that all personnel are trained in relevant emergency management protocols, including FEMA/NIMS/ICS courses.

Facilitate training sessions for faculty, staff, and students on emergency procedures, active threat response, and disaster preparedness.

Maintain training records and track personnel certifications to ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

Supervisory Responsibilities

5 -10 Student workers

Who you are:

Systems thinker: understands how policies, people, facilities, and communications intersect during emergencies.

Detail-oriented and compliance-minded without being rigid.

Comfortable coordinating across departments with differing priorities.

Able to translate technical fire/life safety requirements into plain language.

Organized and process-driven.

Invested in continuous improvement and skill development.

Clear written communicator with strong follow-through.

Calm, reliable presence during incidents; sound judgement under pressure.

Self-starter; independent work ethic with ability to remain on task.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Public Safety, Homeland Security, Fire Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

At least 1-2 years of practical experience in emergency management, fire/life safety, disaster response/planning, or a related field. (Internships, practicum, or professional roles are acceptable).

Ability to work under pressure and make sound decisions in rapidly evolving emergency situations.

Working knowledge of International Fire Codes, NFPA Standards, and life safety regulations as they apply to higher education.

Demonstrated ability to plan, conduct, and evaluate drills/exercises and emergency training programs.

Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Valid Driver’s License.

Understanding of a higher education setting and ability to work with persons of diverse cultures and backgrounds across campus.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and emergency management software.

Familiarity with emergency notification systems (Rave, Vector, EverBridge, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

Certifications in FEMA/NIMS/ICS, CPR/AED, or other relevant emergency management training.

Knowledge of Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) and standard business continuity strategies and practices.

Experience with Hazard Vulnerability Assessments and risk reduction planning.

5 years’ experience in a higher education, public safety, or emergency management setting.

Knowledge of Clery Act compliance, higher education risk management, and campus emergency planning.

Physical Demands

Must be able to: sit or stand for long periods of time; walk, run, climb, bend, stoop and

lift weights proportionate with need to perform medical assistance; wear a uniform and

equipment, and operate a motor vehicle in all weather conditions.

Lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy objects up to 40 lbs.

Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, at times in locations that must have

coverage at all times.

Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching, and seeking assistance / helping others in

relevant physical requirements (e.g. moving barriers, adjusting access paths for safety).

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

Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings, weekends, and on-call

shifts for emergencies.

Some travel is required for training and professional development.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter, by January 30, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The market range for this position is $26.50 - $29.80 per hour, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

Act 153 Clearance Required by Position

This position may regularly interact with minors. Under Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, (23 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§6301, et seq.) 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 Required by Position

Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

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.