Library Safety Officer

Library Safety OfficerInvitation to Compete #58-25: The Seattle Public Library's Safety and Security Services, Central Library, 1000 4th Ave, Seattle. This is a regular, FLSA exempt, benefitted, full-time position (80 hours per two-week pay period). Salary Range: $35.83 - $43.45 per hour.This recruitment is open to the public and to The Seattle Public Library's employees and will remain open until filled. Candidates are asked to submit their application materials in NEOGOV by 5:00 p.m. on November 30, 2025 for first consideration.At The Seattle Public Library, our mission is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and empower community. We envision the Library as the central hub of an equitable and connected city where knowledge flourishes, and people find opportunities.Safety and Security Services at the LibraryThe Library's facilities include the 11-story Central Library in Downtown Seattle and 26 neighborhood branches located across Seattle. The Library's Security Team is based at the Central Library and provides safety and security services to all Library locations.Mission: The Security Team's mission is to foster a safe and welcoming environment for all Library patrons, staff, and community members. We maintain a visible presence at Library locations, uphold and enforce the Library's Community Use Agreement, respond quickly to resolve incidents, and serve everyone in the Library with compassion, respect, and professionalism.Vision: The Security Team's vision is to be the recognized gold standard for public service, safety, and security. Through our expertise, versatility, and commitment to constant improvement, we will provide a strong and trusted foundation for the successful operation and public use of the Library.Values: The Security Team is dedicated to the values of safety, compassion, and excellence.If you support our mission and share our dedication to these values, we encourage you to apply for the position of Library Safety Officer.About the Safety Officer PositionUnder the supervision of the Safety and Security Services Supervisor, the Safety Officer provides courteous and professional customer service to all Library patrons and staff, and strives to ensure that all Library locations are safe, accessible and welcoming. The Safety Officer operates with discretion and sound judgment in handling safety and security issues, using various security methods including de-escalation techniques, and the ability to prioritize the handling of multiple incidents, occasionally under potentially stressful or volatile circumstances.The Safety Officer receives and acts on information about security incidents from personal observation or from Library patrons or staff. Regular work actions include patrolling Library locations, warning patrons about Community Use Agreement violations, giving information to patrons and staff, explaining safety and security procedures, investigating incidents and disturbances, writing incident reports, suspending and/or removing patrons from Library facilities, and calling for police assistance.The Safety Officer documents security activities through verbal and written reports and communications which may be used for further administrative or police actions. The position may also communicate with police agencies and internal departments to assist with criminal matters occurring on Library property.The Safety Officer routinely engages in other safety and security-related activities, including monitoring and reporting on building safety and security, inspecting fire extinguishers, securing and processing lost and found articles, enforcing staff and visitor compliance with the access control program, assuring building security during non-public hours, and issuing building keys.The Safety Officer operates in accordance with all Library safety and security policies and procedures and provides input on the evaluation of Library safety and security needs, the maintenance of program standards, and the planning and implementation of program improvements.This position is currently scheduled to begin shifts at the Central Library, but must be able to begin shifts at other Library locations as needed.Job ResponsibilitiesCustomer Service and Security Patrol: Greet and interact with patrons and visitors as they enter the Library's buildings. Provide for the enforcement of Library security standards, policies and procedures by performing regular security patrols and monitoring of Library facilities as assigned in order to identify, prevent and respond to violations of the Librarys Community Use Agreement, or other policies and procedures. Respond to medical emergencies. Support effective and timely responses to building emergencies and evacuations.Prevention activities: Contribute to building safety and security by monitoring and reporting physical security and safety conditions. Provide input on procedures and methods to prevent property loss and damage. Work with Library staff to identify and resolve security problems and to keep the Safety and Security Services Supervisor informed of activities and/or problems.Security support activities: Provide for timely and effective support of security operations and activities by obtaining, recording, and maintaining necessary documentation, reports, and records. Operate security and property-related programs such as lost and found materials, staff training, building access control, and security-monitoring activities.Administration activities: Contribute to the administration of the safety and security program maintaining program standards, participating in necessary training, providing input on policies and procedures as requested, communicating clearly and effectively, and writing complete and accurate incident reports and other necessary documentation.QualificationsMinimum QualificationsExperience providing complex customer service support to the general public, specifically experience providing customer service with attention to supporting social justice and equity. Ability to develop trust and foster on-going positive customer service relationships with Library patrons and staff. Ability to be coached, mentored and/or trained.At least one year of security experience or experience performing similar duties in settings that require highly visible and sensitive public contact; require exercising conflict resolution and problem-solving skills; and require the ability to respond appropriately to critical incidents in an occupational setting. Experience operating in a security capacity in an employer-operated security department is preferred, but not required.Educational and general skills requirements:Education: High School diploma or equivalent is required. Education, training and/or experience in social justice, criminal justice, public service, and/or hospitality are desired.Verbal skills: Strong verbal communication skills are required. This includes the ability to communicate in English and to communicate with Library visitors for whom English is a second language. Knowledge of conversational Spanish, Asian languages, Eastern European languages or American Sign Language is a plus.Writing skills: Strong written communication, including proofreading, editing and document production skills. The ability to apply written and verbal instructions to daily work and to correctly interpret and adhere to policy and procedure. The ability to perform while being tactful, diplomatic and maintaining confidentiality.Conflict resolution skills: Ability to approach conflicts through a trauma-informed lens. Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills. Ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically with Library staff and the public while enforcing security rules, often under stressful situations. Ability to resolve conflicts between patrons and/or staff and negotiate solutions without resorting to force or provoking unneeded conflict. Ability to persuade and elicit cooperation and compliance under difficult or stressful circumstances.Occupation-specific skill requirements:Knowledge of accepted practices relating to security operations in an employer-operated Security Team, particularly those that relate to public facilities.Excellent observation skills; an ability to remain alert and attentive, anticipate and assess potential disruptive behavior and safety or security threats and take preventative action.Ability to prepare clear, detailed and accurate written reports, logs and other documentation.Ability to operate two-way radio, communications and a camera system located at the Central Library.Possession of a currently valid First Aid & CPR certification, or ability to obtain certification within sixty days of employment.Ability to perform the physical activities inherent in security patrol duties for the duration of a typical shift. These activities include walking, running, standing, rapidly ascending and descending stairs in a high-rise building, and lifting a fully grown adult in emergency situations.Other requirements:Possession of a currently valid Washington state driver's license.Ability to commute to any one of the 27 Library locations.Available to work evenings and weekends as needed, with consistent punctuality required for all scheduled shifts.If selected, candidates will be required to provide a driver's record abstract and to authorize a check of criminal convictions.This position requires the employee to wear the supplied uniform and related security gear, including non-lethal defensive equipment and a two-way radio.Desired Qualifications:Minimum of three years of either Security experience or experience in performing similar duties in settings that required (1) highly visible and sensitive public contact, (2) exercising conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, and (3) the ability to respond appropriately to critical incidents in an occupational setting.How to ApplyCandidates who meet the qualifications are asked to submit the following items in NEOGOV by 5:00