GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Engages with the public and staff to ensure that the library environment is both safe and conducive to a high-quality experience for our patrons. Focuses on helping the community enjoy and use the library by educating patrons on library rules and policies. In cases where patrons are unable to comply with library rules or policies, the Library Security Specialist takes the lead in addressing, resolving, and documenting library behavior incidents. The library’s behavior policy will be enforced by educating patrons about expectations and following up with kindness and firmness, but requires calling the police if needed.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general written/oral direction and supervision of the DHCLS location manager who issues instructions and checks work performed. Requires the ability to perform tasks with minimal supervision. The exercising of independent judgment and initiative is necessary.
JOB DUTIES:
- Moves continuously through the public areas of the library, inside and out, in all weather, to assess conditions for safety and security.
- Greets patrons, answers questions, communicates library policies, explains rules, refers patrons to appropriate staff and resources, and responds to staff calls for assistance.
- Serves with integrity as a role model in order to build positive community relationships.
- Recognizes that patrons come from a diverse background and are to be treated with kindness and compassionate firmness; Communicates with the public in a respectful and friendly manner.
- Supports the mission of the library as a community resource.
- Regularly communicates updates, concerns, and suggestions to the library director and managers in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Keeps logs of daily activities and incidents such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, and unusual occurrences.
- Makes safety and security recommendations to the library director and managers as appropriate to prevent future occurrences.
- Assists patrons in understanding and complying with library rules and takes the lead to correct and appropriately resolve situations where patrons are unable to comply with policies.
- Warns patrons that inappropriate behavior may result in further action, including possible suspension of library privileges.
- Issues and manages suspensions of individuals in collaboration with other library staff as needed based on the library’s policy on the enforcement of library use rules and notice of suspension.
- Interacts with the public in a respectful way, even during stressful encounters.
- Works with staff to prepare incident reports and conduct follow-up as necessary.
- At closing, performs a final security check of the entire building to lock doors, secure the premises, and ensure the safety of the staff as they leave the building.
- Responds to all safety incidents, alarms, and accidents.
- Intervenes to de-escalate conflict situations.
- Administers CPR, First Aid, and AED should these become necessary.
- Carries a radio at all times to contact emergency services and law enforcement.
- Works with staff to investigate and prepare incident reports.
- Works with the director to anticipate emergencies and prepare emergency response plans.
- Participates in tabletop emergency and crisis exercises.
- Provide extra security support outside of normal library hours to include community events, board meetings, and library programs as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES: Must be able to successfully manage emergencies, give first aid, and provide other assistance as needed. Works indoors and outdoors at the assigned facilities and attends Board Meetings and Community Events as scheduled. Must be able to work nights, weekends, and in adverse weather. Often works with minimal oversight and direction. Ability to work in conditions that may be unpredictable and high stress. Works in conditions that involve emergencies, patron behavioral issues, intoxication, and physical or mental health crises. Must have critical thinking skills. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and to complete assigned tasks with minimal direction. Must be able to use computers for record keeping and communications.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: Dedication to public safety. Emotional maturity and ability to handle stress. Must be observant and possess good judgment, excellent communication skills, problem resolution skills, and a capacity to quickly identify, de-escalate, and resolve conflicts. Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment. No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history. High School graduate or equivalent and preferably six months to two years of similar experience such as security, EMS, safety, law enforcement, education, or customer service. Must be able to pass a criminal background check and become certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED within 90 days of employment. The Security Specialist is not a sworn law enforcement official and has no law enforcement authority.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, grasp, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, talk and hear. Hand-eye coordination necessary to operate computers and various office equipment. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop and crouch. Physical demands include extended periods of standing and walking, lifting 50 pounds occasionally, reaching, bending, lifting, seeing and observing surroundings, and reacting quickly and calmly to stressful situations. May require driving to various locations.
