Rapid Response and Community Support Specialist
About The Position
The Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Specialist is an individual contributor in Vanderbilt University’s Student Affairs division, providing coordinated, real-time responses to student crises, incidents, demonstrations, and other high-impact or emergent events. The role supports student safety, wellbeing, and continuity of care through student-centered interventions and collaboration with campus partners. It requires sound judgment, discretion, and effectiveness in high-pressure situations. The Specialist is part of a highly visible response team and provides 24/7 on-call support and on-the-ground intervention. The position coordinates institutional responses, facilitates communication among stakeholders, and ensures appropriate follow-up and transitions of care. It builds relationships across residential communities, student organizations, and other campus spaces, and collaborates with partners including Public Safety, Residential Experience, the Student Care Network, the Office of the General Counsel, and Communications. This is a regular, full-time, benefits-eligible, exempt, onsite position that requires evenings and weekends. It is not eligible for sponsorship. The role has no supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to the Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Manager.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least two years of experience in higher education or crisis response.
- Demonstrated ability to manage high-pressure situations.
- Strong judgment and discretion in crisis and incident response.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, social work, or a related field.
- Experience with crisis intervention and de-escalation.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Responsibilities
- Serve on the Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Team and provide discreet, effective, on-the-ground responses.
- Participate in comprehensive training covering crisis response, trauma-informed practices, mediation and conflict resolution, de-escalation, and coordination with campus and community partners.
- Build and sustain relationships with students in residential communities, student organizations, and other spaces.
- Provide 24/7 incident response for student crises, demonstrations and protests, event-related incidents, and other emergent situations.
- Coordinate institutional responses to individual student crises, including mental health emergencies, safety concerns, behavioral incidents, and other urgent needs.
- Manage demonstrations, protests, and high-impact student activities and events through planning, monitoring, and response with students, organizations, and campus partners.
- Participate in the University Emergency Operations Center during large-scale events or emergencies involving students.
- Engage with parents regarding emergencies, crises, or incidents as needed.
- Coordinate response and support in residence halls or for students living off campus when immediate support or intervention is needed.
- Assist with mediation or conflict resolution involving students or student groups.
- Elevate issues to the Manager or Associate Dean when needed and maintain clear, consistent response documentation.
- Collaborate with campus partners to ensure coordinated, consistent, and student-centered responses.
- Coordinate transitions of care by connecting students with appropriate campus and community resources for ongoing support and follow-up.
- Serve on divisional and institutional committees, task forces, and working groups.
- Participate in divisional initiatives and events, including Move-In Day and all-division meetings and gatherings.
- Maintain working knowledge of relevant university policies, procedures, and systems, including travel, procurement, expense, and time reporting.
- Support divisional colleagues and shared goals and strategic priorities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Benefits eligible
