Safety Specialist

Safety Specialist

Part-time (20 hours a week) Schedule: Monday-Friday 5pm-9pm

Under the direction of the Safety Supervisor, performs duties related to creating a safe and secure environment for patrons and staff.

Minimum Qualifications: (education, experience, and certifications)

• Minimum of one year of recent experience in social services position or relevant experience

Minimum Competencies: (knowledge, skills, and abilities)

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Ability to collaborate with others, and to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a culturally diverse workforce and community
• Ability to thrive in a working environment with constant public contact with people from all backgrounds and age groups
• Broad cultural competency knowledge and skills, and ability to work effectively with a culturally diverse workforce and community
• Commitment to and demonstrated success discussing, integrating, and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
• Outstanding customer service skills
• Ability to:

  • exercise reasonable and professional judgment

  • anticipate and creatively solve problems with a flexible mindset and handle stressful situations in a positive manner

  • fairly and consistently apply library’s policies, including Appropriate Library Use policy and Enforcement of Library Use Rules and Notification of Suspension policy

  • attain CPR/AED certification and deliver basic first-aid

  • work independently and handle multiple initiatives in a prompt and effective manner

  • handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion

  • learn state and local laws related to library safety

  • use extensive workplace technology including email, internet, intranet, hands-free communication devices (Vocera), CCTV surveillance software, and mobile smartphone

  • positively adjust to change

**Preferred Qualifications: **

• Experience with and knowledge of social work and social services available in Skokie area

• CPI certified or equivalent crisis prevention training

• Experience with mental health first aid, trauma-informed practices

• Experience working in or with public libraries

**Preferred Competencies: **

• Multilingual skills in English plus another language(s) relevant to the Skokie community

• Deep personal dedication to public service

Essential Functions:

• Proactively collaborates with library staff and outside agencies, such as social workers, mental health professionals, and law enforcement and emergency responders, to anticipate, prevent, and respond to serious or emergency situations

• Works with library staff to prevent and manage incidents occurring on library property, including preparing and reviewing written incident reports and completing necessary follow-up on incidents

• Works with staff to provide information, support, referrals, and assistance to people who are experiencing mental health issues, addiction, homelessness, or issues of general exclusion or disengagement

• Facilitates and participates in daily safety meetings with library staff

• 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

• Performs a total security check of library facilities after closing

• Provides crowd control at special events

• Circulates continuously among public service areas of the library

• At a minimum of once per shift, performs a security check of all staff spaces within the library

• At a minimum of once per shift, performs a security check of the exterior of the library checking for unauthorized activities, graffiti, building damage, and/or maintenance concerns

• Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance

Other Job Functions:

• Makes suggestions for improving library safety

• Provides support to the maintenance staff as needed

• Performs other related duties as assigned

Working Conditions:

The physical demands and environmental characteristics 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.

• Constant navigation of library property and occasional computer use are required.

• Manual dexterity, clear speech, hearing acuity, and correctable vision are required.

• Work in all types of weather.

• Noise level is generally moderate.

• Scheduling may require availability during any library operating hours, including days, evenings, weekends, and occasionally when the library is closed. Although a weekly schedule is established, the needs of the library may require scheduling changes and flexibility.

• Employee required to park in designated area.

A pay range for new hires in this position is $21.56 to $24 per hour. Offers are made within this range based on competencies, experience, and internal equity. 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Visit https://skokielibrary.info/about/jobs/ to access the application.  A cover letter and resume must be included along with your application in order to be considered. Position open until filled.