Working in partnership with the campus community, the Campus Safety Officer is responsible for helping to create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive living, learning, and working environment - serving as a supportive resource for community members in need of services. Grounded in a commitment to inclusivity and belonging, the Officer is responsible for positively impacting campus through building community and relationships, promoting accountability, reinforcing community standards and College policies/procedures, as well as maintaining the safety and security of the campus for students, faculty, staff, and guests/visitors. Bennington’s Campus Safety approach is one of harm and risk-reduction, and is focused on finding the learning moments possible in any given interaction and honoring student growth and development. This approach is applied to all aspects of student engagement, including all policy enforcement and general service requests.
This position works full-time when the terms are in session (~32 weeks per year), mid-February through May, and September through mid-December.
Schedule (40 hours/week, 32 weeks):
The hourly rate of pay is $21.85.
*Scheduled shift is eligible for shift differential pay
Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities, as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building a community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as a supportive resource to students, faculty, staff and guests of the College - engage in first level response to incidents and service requests to help support the well-being of all those being served.
- Maintain the safety and security of campus for all constituents. Use appropriate judgment to ensure adherence to student community standards and College policies and procedures while promoting a positive, cooperative, and congenial atmosphere. Provide support while maintaining a calm demeanor, high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
- Provide timely response to service calls including, but not limited to, offering directions, transportation or escort assistance, building and vehicle lock-outs, vehicle assistance and building access. Respond to routine telephone inquiries and serve as dispatch/coordinator when needed
- Partner with Student Life to build community through proactive interactions with students beyond policy enforcement.
- Coordinate/partner with Student Life, Psychological Services and Health Services to manage emergency situations involving student safety, health and wellbeing.
- Protect College property from crime, fire, vandalism and accidents. Perform safety patrols in vehicle and on foot. Secure buildings and property. Report maintenance problems observed or informed of to the appropriate department.
- Enforce safety, traffic, and parking regulations. Assist with pedestrian and vehicle traffic flow as needed. Maintain proper care of vehicles and equipment; report any deficiencies to the Director of Campus Safety or Associate Director of Campus Safety and Transportation in a timely manner.
- Conduct timely and complete case investigations. Write reports on accidents, incidents, suspicious activities, safety, and fire hazards/alarms and other safety and security-related situations. File complete and factual reports prior to the conclusion of the next scheduled shift. Attend judicial meetings as required.
- Respond to emergency incidents/situations and where needed, provide basic first aid and act as First Responder during emergencies. Coordinate and serve as the liaison between the College and outside agencies such as law enforcement, fire, or EMS. Immediately notify the Director of Campus Safety or Associate Director of Campus Safety and Transportation of any call to outside agency; decision to engage outside agency is determined by the supervisor on duty (or officer, if no supervisor on duty).
- Maintain regular, effective, timely and professional communication with the Director of Campus Safety or Associate Director of Campus Safety and Transportation as needed. Escalate non-routine matters to the supervisor. Communicate potential shift coverage issues to the supervisor.
- As a designated essential employee, must be able to remain on duty beyond regular shift when circumstances warrant coverage.
- Related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- High school graduate or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree in education, social sciences, or related field preferred. Campus safety, crisis intervention, and/or educational experience preferred.
- A valid driver’s license is required. Successful completion and acceptable results of a background/MVR check are required. Current certifications in First Aid and Adult CPR with AED preferred; we are willing to train
- Candidates should possess demonstrated experience serving/supporting a diverse population. Candidates should have experience positively affecting others with an emphasis on providing safe and supportive services under conditions that may be high-stress. Must be comfortable with and/or have experience working with students.
- Preference for candidates who possess demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed practices, counseling, crisis intervention, and/or mental health support services.
- Experience in recognizing emergency/high stress situations and effectively de-escalating/resolving highly desired. Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills required. Must be able to remain calm during stressful situations. Ability to treat sensitive/confidential information with discretion and tact.
- Must possess a collaborative and collegial style with the ability to maintain balance, consistency, and flexibility in decision-making. Must be effective and work well in a collaborative environment.
- Strong problem-solving, critical and analytical thinking, good judgment, with creative resolutions for positive outcomes.
- Strong interpersonal, listening, and communication skills. Able to recognize, acknowledge, respect, and effectively interact with people of different ages and cultures - and individuals at all levels of the organization; able to establish positive relationships; gain trust and respect of others. Must have patience and empathy.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to set priorities and multitask in a fast-paced setting are required.
- Must have high attention to detail and be able to work independently with limited supervision.
- Computer proficiency in Google (Gmail, Google Suite) and Office applications required. Ability to adapt to and use changing technology.
The College
Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits, including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.
Bennington College is a small residential liberal arts college in southern Vermont, long distinguished for its progressive approach to higher education. The College was founded in 1932 on the principle of active engagement in learning, which is manifest in individualized plans of study developed by students together with faculty. We serve a diverse student population, and our faculty and staff also reflect diverse backgrounds and identities. Our aim is to educate students towards self-fulfillment and constructive social purposes, and we believe that equity, diversity, and inclusivity-in community and in curriculum-are vital to achieving those aims.
Nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains in Vermont, the campus consists of approximately 370 acres. The College was named one of ten with the best architecture by Architectural Digest. From campus, it is a short drive to the cultural offerings of the northern Berkshires in Massachusetts, Albany, New York, and many of Vermont’s top recreational centers. New York City, Boston, and Burlington, Vermont are all within three and a half hours by car.
