Library Safety Manager

County of Mecklenburg, NC•Charlotte, NC

2d•$67,095 - $100,642•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Public Safety, Criminal Justice, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid driver’s license required.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.