Rapid Response and Community Support Specialist

Position Summary:

The Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Specialist is part of the Student Affairs division at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for providing coordinated, real-time response to student-related crises, incidents, and high-impact events across the University. This position plays a critical role in ensuring student safety, wellbeing, and continuity of care by delivering responsive, student-centered interventions and collaborating with campus partners. Reporting directly to the Student Affairs Response Team Manager, the Specialist works closely with Public Safety, Residential Experience, the Student Care Network, and other key stakeholders to assess, respond to, and manage a wide range of complex student situations.

The Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Specialist serves on a highly visible and dynamic response team, providing 24/7 on-call support and on-the-ground intervention for student crises, demonstrations, and emergent situations. This role requires strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate effectively in high-pressure environments. The Specialist coordinates institutional responses, facilitates communication among stakeholders, and ensures appropriate follow-up and transitions of care for students. Through proactive relationship-building and engagement, this position supports a safe, responsive, and supportive campus environment.

This is a Regular, Full-Time, Benefits Eligible, Exempt, onsite role. This position will require evenings and weekends. This position IS NOT eligible for sponsorship.

About the Work Unit:

Student Affairs serves a central role in student learning and development at Vanderbilt, advancing the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. Student Affairs at Vanderbilt cultivates vibrant, inclusive communities that foster a student’s sense of belonging and wellbeing through collaborative partnerships, transformative learning experiences, and an accessible and holistic network of resources. We value connection, belonging, compassion, development, and innovation. Our staff are committed to continued growth in knowledge, awareness, skills, and experience engaging with these priorities in a higher education environment.

Key Functions and Expected Performance: 

• Serve on the Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Team, a comprehensive crisis and incident management system that is responsive, flexible, and engaged in the University community, and provide direct, on the ground responses with discretion and effective decision-making.
• Participate in a comprehensive training program for response team staff, including crisis response, trauma-informed practices, mediation and conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques, and coordination with campus and community partners.
• Build and sustain relationships with students in residential communities, student organizations, and other spaces.
• Execute 24/7 incident response involving students, including individual 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 student needs.
• Manage demonstrations, protests, and high-impact student activities and events, ensuring appropriate planning, monitoring, and response in collaboration with students, student organizations, and campus partners.
• Participate in the University Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during large-scale events or emergencies involving students.
• Engage with parents related to emergencies, crises, and/or incidents, as needed.
• Coordinate response and support efforts in residence halls or for student living off campus when students require immediate support or intervention.
• Assist with mediation or conflict resolution for conflicts involving students or student groups.
• Elevate issues to the Manager or Associate Dean, when needed, and ensure clear and consistent documentation of responses.
• Collaborate with campus partners including Public Safety, Residential Experience, Student Care Network, Office of the General Counsel, and Communications to ensure coordinated, consistent, and student-centered responses.
• Coordinate transitions of care following crises or incidents by connecting students to appropriate campus and community resources for ongoing support and follow-up.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Institutional, Divisional, and Department Administration:
  • Contribute to the broader mission and objectives of Student Affairs and the University by serving on divisional and institutional committees, task forces, and working groups.
  • Actively participate in key divisional initiatives and events, including Move-In Day and all-division meetings and gatherings.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of relevant university policies, procedures, and systems—such as those related to travel, procurement, expense, and time reporting—to ensure effective, compliant, and responsible operations.
  • Demonstrate a collaborative spirit by supporting divisional colleagues and engaging in efforts that advance shared goals and strategic priorities.

Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on organizational and operational needs.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Student Affairs Rapid Response and Community Support Manager.

Education and Certifications:

• A bachelor’s degree is necessary.
• A master’s degree in higher education, counseling, social work, or a related field is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• At least two years of experience in higher education or crisis response is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-pressure situations is required.
• Experience with crisis intervention and de-escalation is preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills are strongly preferred.

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.