Library Safety Manager
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
“Follow your calling, Find your career”
Please apply by 8/17/26
Salary Range $67,095.00 - $100,642.00
This is an exempt (salaried) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of America’s leading urban public libraries, serving one of the country’s great emerging metropolitan areas in North Carolina. Our library system serves a community of approximately one million citizens in the city of Charlotte and the towns of Matthews, Pineville, Mint Hill, Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville – all located in Mecklenburg County. Accessible and welcoming to all, our library celebrates the joy of reading, fosters learning and growth, connects people to each other and the world, and inspires individuals with what they can achieve. Through our 20 locations, online, and through targeted outreach, we deliver exceptional library services and programs with a mission to create a community of readers and empower individuals with free access to information and the universe of ideas.
Location:
510 Stitt Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
Position Summary:
The Library Safety Manager leads the strategic development and implementation of life safety policies and procedures across all 21 of our Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s public service locations, as well as at our Library Administration Center and for our employees working in the community. Officed at Main Library and serving as our primary liaison with the Mecklenburg County Security Division, this position bridges library-specific safety priorities with broader county facility protocols — ensuring that every branch, every staff member, and every customer can count on a secure and compliant environment.
This is a proactive, people-centered leadership role. The ideal candidate brings both the operational rigor to build and sustain robust safety programs and the interpersonal skills to foster a culture of preparedness and confidence across a diverse, community-facing organization.
Essential Functions:
Safety Program Leadership
Develop, implement, and continuously improve life safety policies and procedures system-wide across all 21 public service locations, back- office locations, and for individuals working in outreach or community settings.
Serve as the primary liaison between the library system and the Mecklenburg County Security Division, ensuring library-specific needs are reflected in county facility protocols.
Conduct regular audits of library-specific safety policies to ensure alignment with county and legal standards...
Manage vendor relationships related to security systems, safety equipment, and contracted security personnel as applicable.
Contribute to budget evaluation and planning related to safety equipment, training programs, and facility improvements.
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Plan and coordinate emergency preparedness drills—including fire, evacuation, shelter-in-place, and active threat scenarios—across all library locations.
Lead post-incident reviews and translate findings into actionable improvements to policies, procedures, and physical environments.
Serve as the primary point of contact during emergency or critical incidents; act as a liaison between library locations and local law enforcement or emergency services as needed.
Use data and incident patterns to drive continuous improvements in safety operations and staff preparedness.
Facility Safety
Conduct routine facility safety assessments and walkthroughs across all locations; identify and communicate hazardous conditions to facilities and management teams.
Coordinate with facilities staff to address physical safety needs including signage, building and landscaping needs, first aid supplies, and building access controls.
Track and document safety-related work orders, corrective actions, and compliance timelines.
Serve as a key stakeholder in new library planning and branch renovations, advising on safety infrastructure, access control, and emergency egress.
Training & Staff Development
Design and deliver engaging safety training for all library staff, including onboarding modules, annual refreshers, and scenario-based exercises.
Build a culture of safety awareness and proactive reporting across all locations and staff levels.
Reporting & Compliance
Prepare and maintain incident and accident reports, exclusion logs, and safety inspection records; provide regular safety updates to library leadership.
Ensure compliance with safety regulations applicable to all public service locations.
Comply and coordinate with law enforcement agencies and library outside counsel requesting records from library systems.
Leadership & Collaboration
Serve on library-wide committees that review and develop safety and operational policies and procedures.
Represent the Library at professional meetings and county-level safety planning sessions.
Actively collaborate with staff and leadership to identify safety needs and cultivate solutions that improve the experience for both staff and customers.
Promote and model a welcoming, people-centered approach to safety that balances security authority with the library’s commitment to open and inclusive public spaces.
Clearly communicate, direct, and reinforce safety initiatives, policies, and procedures across all staff levels and locations.
Promote and model high-quality customer service, resolving safety-related conflicts with library users, the general public, and staff with professionalism and care.
Keep current with developments in public safety, emergency management, and library-specific safety best practices.
Perform additional duties as assigned, including participation with system-wide teams and special projects.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in safety management, security administration, emergency preparedness, or a closely related field, preferably in a public-sector or high-volume public-facing environment.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Public Safety, Criminal Justice, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid driver’s license required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working in a public library, municipal government, or similar community-serving organization.
Familiarity with trauma-informed, person-centered approaches to safety and de-escalation.
Demonstrated ability to coach and develop staff in safety practices, emergency preparedness, and incident response.
Experience with incident tracking software and security camera systems.
Demonstrated high-energy, highly interpersonal leadership style with a bias for face-to-face engagement with staff across all locations.
Demonstrated ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment when making quick decisions in emergency situations.
Demonstrated use of data and incident patterns to drive continuous improvements in safety operations and staff preparedness.
Demonstrated ability to optimize processes and identify inefficiencies, utilizing tools and abilities to grow capacity at access points.
Demonstrated efforts in promoting and advocating for inclusive, welcoming public spaces that balance safety with accessibility and openness.
Proficiency in a second language.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of
Current trends and developments in public safety, emergency management, and library security best practices.
Working knowledge of security systems, access control technology, and incident tracking platforms.
Knowledge of OSHA standards, local building codes, and county safety regulations applicable to public facilities.
Knowledge of emergency response planning, including fire, evacuation, shelter-in-place, and active threat protocols.
Ability to manage sensitive situations and respond to critical incidents with composure and professionalism.
Ability to lead staff in adhering to safety standards and cultivating a proactive culture of preparedness.
Knowledge of data-driven decision-making, particularly in support of safety program evaluation and continuous improvement.
Skills
Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to adjust communication style to interact effectively with staff, customers, and county partners of varying backgrounds.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a warm, community-focused approach to public safety
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage safety programs across 21 locations simultaneously
Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a dynamic environment
Commitment to continuous improvement and staying current with evolving safety standards and practices
Abilities
Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between a variety of focus areas , teams, departments, community groups or organizations to help achieve business goals
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequence
Information Monitoring: Setting up ongoing procedures to collect and review information needed to manage an organization or ongoing activities within it
Technical/professional Knowledge and Skills: Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise
Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence in safety and service
Computer Skills:
Excellent command of various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite
Advanced proficiency in various computer applications
Work Environment:
Officed at Library Administration Center (Main Library after opening) with frequent travel to all 21 public service locations across Mecklenburg County. Works primarily in a library environment; may occasionally respond to incidents in outdoor or community settings. Exposure to situations requiring de-escalation or emergency response.
Selection:
This classification has been identified as having a role in the development of ADA compliant technologies and for which the incumbent agrees to follow County policies to the best of their abilities in order to meet these obligations.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement:
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer Statement:
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
