Lead Safety Officer

City of Seattle, WA•Seattle, WA

56d•$41 - $50

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Safety and Security Services Supervisor, the Lead Safety Officer performs the regular duties of a Library Safety Officer (commonly called "Security Officers"), while helping lead the work of the Security Team and providing input on the supervision of Safety Officers. In this capacity, the position maintains communications with Safety Officers and the Safety and Security Supervisor and assesses problems for immediate resolution or referral and follow-up. The Lead 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. This position requires 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. Please note that this position does not have the formal arrest authority of a sworn police officer. The Lead 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, reviewing incident reports and/or guiding staff on writing incident reports, suspending and/or removing patrons from Library facilities, and calling for police assistance. The Lead Safety Officer documents security activities through verbal and written reports and communications which may be used for further administrative or police actions. The position communicates with police agencies and internal departments to assist with criminal matters occurring on Library property. The Lead 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 Lead Safety Officer assists in the interpretation of policies and procedures, the evaluation of safety and security needs, the maintenance of program standards, and the planning and implementation of program improvements. The position also assists with selection, training, evaluation and scheduling of Safety Officers; with planning and implementing safety and security activities; and with the administrative support of the Security Team as directed. 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.

Requirements

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.
Minimum of one year experience acting in a formal leadership capacity, where any probationary periods were successfully completed, OR three years of articulable and successful leadership experience in an informal capacity.
Leadership experience should include setting tasks and leading teams, overseeing operational activities, taking initiative to solve problems, being accountable for your performance and the performance of others, and interacting with the public in a respectful and professional capacity.
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: Excellent 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: Excellent 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. Excellent 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.
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 provide effective leadership of security and staff, including resolving issues among Safety Officers, addressing workload impacts, and evaluating daily security activities and changing priorities and assigning tasks, as required.
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.
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 schduled 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.

Nice To Haves

Education, training and/or experience in social justice, criminal justice, public service, and/or hospitality are desired.
Knowledge of conversational Spanish, Asian languages, Eastern European languages or American Sign Language is a plus.

Responsibilities

Security Patrol: Provide for the enforcement of Library security standards, policies and procedures by monitoring and evaluating problems relating to the safety and security of Library patrons and staff, property and facilities, by taking appropriate actions. Patrol and monitor Library facilities as assigned in order to identify, prevent and respond to violations of the Library's Community Use Agreement, or other policies and procedures. Respond to medical emergencies. Take lead roles in responding to building emergencies and evacuations.
Prevention activities: Contribute to building safety and security by monitoring and reporting physical security and safety conditions. Identify and recommend 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.
Liaison activities: Provide for effective communications concerning security issues by serving as liaison between Library staff, police agencies and personnel, contracted security personnel, and the public in varying support or educational capacities.
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. Post daily and weekly officer duty assignments.
Administration activities: Contribute to the administration of the security program and staff by, overseeing activities of the safety team, maintaining program standards and policies, ensuring effective communications, reviewing incident reports, approving leave requests in accordance with minimum staffing requirements, and assisting with the supervision of Safety Officers and security activities.
Additional Lead Safety Officer Duties: Conduct daily briefings with safety staff. Monitor vehicles assigned to the Security Team and report damage to the proper departments. Schedule routine maintenance and ensure vehicles receive service on schedule. Coordinate after-incident care at branches through training. Assist with the supervision of Safety Officers and security activities. Model the values of the Safety Team, Library and City of Seattle, and provide mentorship and guidance to officers and staff on safety and security-related issues.

Benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans
Information about retirement plans can be found at: https://www.seattle.gov/retirement

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