Position Title:
Area Coordinator
Work Type:
Full time
Location:
Swarthmore CollegeOn Campus
Department:
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
Pay Range (Please note that this pay range represents the
College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the
time of posting.):
49,000.00 USD - 54,000.00 USD
The Opportunity:
The Area Coordinator (AC) will work with the Office of Student
Engagement (OSE) to supervise the residential community, which
includes student staff supervision and training, crisis response,
and community development. The AC role focuses on developing skills
and knowledge within four key competency areas: Community
Development, Health/Life/Safety of students, Leadership, and
Administrative skills. As a member of the Office of Student
Engagement, ACs commit to developing student leaders who are ready
to engage in a diverse, global world. The AC will also provide
substantial support to Student Activities programming through a
collateral assignment and programming support.
The AC is a 12-month live-in position that collaborates with
students, faculty, and staff in developing residential experiences
that foster a sense of community and opportunities for the personal
growth of community members. This full-time, year-round (12 months)
position is a three year limited term appointment.
Essential Responsibilities:
Staff Supervision
- Supervise, train, and develop a team of Resident Assistants in
accordance with the Office of Student Engagement guidelines.
Actively participate in the planning, implementation, and
evaluation of departmental initiatives, including student staff
selection, training and development, and community building.
Oversight of residential and campus programming efforts by
Resident Assistants, including planning, budgeting/ purchasing,
implementation, and evaluation
Monitor work performance for accuracy and completeness in
accordance with OSE goals and guidelines.
Assess the performance of Resident Assistants staff members on
a regular basis and formally once a semester in a departmental
evaluation.
Advise students and staff on proper procedures and policies, in
order to ensure appropriate requirements are met.
Community Development
- Promote leadership development, self-governance opportunities,
as well as civic engagement through resident involvement.
- Serve as a support resource for staff and students in dealing
with specific residence hall problems, including roommate
conflicts, personal and emotional problems, diversity issues, and
other developmental concerns.
- Maintain regular office hours and visible presence within the
assigned residential community.
- Meet weekly with directors to receive guidance feedback and
discuss pertinent issues pertaining to the residential communities
and/or student activities.
- Oversee residential conflict mediations.
- Participate in the creation and implementation of a residential
curricular model for community development.
Emergency Response and Case Management
- Serve in an on-call rotation of live-in/live-on Student Life
staff. Respond in person to support students in need. Primarily
serve in Tier 1 capacity but provide Tier 2 assistance as staffing
requires.
- Provide leadership and manage emergency and crisis situations
involving students and/or residential facilities. Serve as
essential staff during campus emergencies and participate in the
College’s Emergency Response Team.
- Problem-solve interpersonal, operational, and other issues with
all students as needed.
- Provides annual review and updates to Student Life policies and
procedures.
- Implement and manage College emergency and risk management
procedures by ensuring all professional and student staff and
building tenants are trained in emergency protocol.
Facilities Management
- Provide leadership and direction for a residential area and
collaborate with maintenance, custodial, dining, and administrative
staff.
- Carry-out move-in and move-out procedures.
- Communicate and follow-up on facilities related concerns in
residence halls.
- Conduct weekly building walkthroughs and inspections and assist
in monitoring and completing individual Facilities and Maintenance
requests and overall building management.
- The AC will be considered essential personnel and may be
required to help carry-out the College’s emergency preparedness
plans.
- Coordinates student support with the Deans Staff.
- Provide event programming in their residential community that
is open and welcoming to the entire campus.
Office of Student Engagement Support
- Support and attend campus-wide OSE and Division of Student
Affairs programming initiatives, with particular attention given to
Student Life all-campus events, including Orientation, Welcome
Weekend, Winter Formal, Halloween Large Scale Event, Worthstock,
Senior Week, and Commencement.
- Maintain a collateral assignment within the Student Activities
and Leadership Office, in order to support divisional programming
and departmental initiatives across campus and within the
residential community clusters.
- Provide administrative, purchasing, and budget reconciliation
assistance to Student Organizations, Student Government, and the
Student Budget Committee.
- Serve as a mandated reporter for Title IX issues and Clery Act
violations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated commitment to personal and departmental
development, professionalism, diversity, equity, and inclusion
education, creativity, collaboration, and initiative.
- Discretion and sound judgment are required in dealing with
confidential and sensitive student issues and communication with
all campus constituencies and outside constituencies (including
parents).
- Strong attention to detail; strong organizational skills;
ability to handle multiple tasks, often under deadlines; ability to
work as a team member to build strong working relationships within
the OSE and greater the Dean’s division, across campus and in the
broader community; ability to write clearly and concisely with
great attention to detail.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s Degree
- Preference will be given to individuals with previous
demonstrated student leadership experience within a college liberal
arts setting, training in intergroup dialogue, and/or conflict
mediation.
- Minimum one (1) year of at least graduate level work in the
areas of housing, residence life, student activities, and/or
student conduct.
Preferred Qualifications
- A degree in counseling services, higher education
administration, social work, or a related field is very strongly
preferred.
- At least two (2) years of experience in residential life or
managing residential spaces or with student development in a
college/university setting, with a preference for a liberal arts
setting.
- Experience working in an on-call rotation.
- Familiarity with software programs such as Maxient, THD,
Banner, and Workday.
- Familiarity with implementation of residential
curriculums.
- Familiarity with student leaders working under an organized
union.
Physical Demands
- Frequently required to move about inside the office and
throughout residence halls.
- Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and work in a
standard office environment.
- Must be able to occasionally lift, move, or transport objects
weighing up to 20 pounds.
Working Conditions
- 12 month live-in position. Successful candidates are required
to live on campus in campus provided housing.
PA Criminal Clearance Required
Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all
staff positions prior to the start of employment.
Education Verification Required by Position
An education verification is required for this position because a
college degree is a required qualification for this position.
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.
2026
Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook
Retirement
Plans
Tuition Grant Program
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Paid Time Off (Staff)
Holiday Schedule
Applications received are reviewed on a rolling basis until the
position is filled. An optional cover letter indicating how your
qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position
is preferred. 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).
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.
