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Safety Specialist
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Business Title: LIBRARY SAFETY SPECIALIST
Department: LIBRARY SAFETY
Location: DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
Grade: GRADE 62
Bargaining Unit: UNIT B
Full Time or Part Time: FULL TIME
Hours per Week: 37.5 HOURS / WEEK
End Date (if Term Appointment): N/A
Reports to: LIBRARY SAFETY MANAGER
ABOUT PPL
Portland Public Library is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to providing everyone with safe and free
access to educational and cultural resources. PPL is Maine's most visited cultural institution and is a valued
community asset, serving residents and visitors for over 150 years.
PPL offers free shared resources - books, film, history, big ideas - in a welcoming environment to foster
meaningful connection and positive change in our dynamic City. PPL believes we are stronger, the more fully
we align our work and our resources toward equity, accessibility, inclusion, and representation of diverse
experiences and perspectives. To succeed as a library team member requires commitment to curiosity,
inclusiveness, collaboration, and creativity. We enthusiastically invite you to apply.
PPL is committed to hiring and maintaining a diverse workforce of highly qualified staff to ensure broad
perspectives, promote equity and inclusion, and connect to our wide community. Applicants with racially,
ethnically, or culturally diverse identities or backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
POSITION SUMMARY
The primary focus of this full-time position is to collaborate with library staff across departments and engage
with patrons to help maintain a welcoming and safe environment for all. The Library Safety Specialist
supports the well-being of both patrons and staff by monitoring safety conditions and responding to
emerging security concerns. This role involves consulting and coordinating with colleagues as needed, while
exercising sound independent judgment to determine appropriate actions. The Specialist works closely with
the Community Resource Coordinator and facilities staff, providing support as situations arise. As a member
of the Library Safety team, this position reports to the Library Safety Manager.
NATURE & SCOPE
- Assists all library staff in maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment in and around
- Actively monitors library spaces through regular walking rounds, engaging with patrons, and
concerns, including identifying patrons who are not permitted in the space
- Uses sound judgement, self-control, and clear, respectful communication to assess situations and
community resources, removal from the premises, and/or seeking the assistance of police and other
emergency personnel when necessary.
- Monitors and utilizes the library’s security camera system and communication tools (e.g., two-way
- Works independently and in collaboratively with the Library Safety Manager and other library staff to
incidents in the library’s reporting system
- .
- Completes accurate, timely incident reports and communicates safety-related information to
- Performs routine safety and operational duties, including operating the alarms and public address
- Participates in special events, including providing safety coverage during extended hours. Serves as
a safety lead during emergencies, including evacuations and drills, and follows established
procedures outlined in the Emergency Procedures Manual
- Coordinates with police, emergency responders, and social service agencies as needed to support
- Engages in ongoing professional development to strengthen skills related to safety, de-escalation,
- May assist Facilities staff with routine duties such as event set-up, moving equipment, deliveries,
- Performs other related duties or tasks as required.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong commitment to serving the community, with the ability to assess and respond to complex
cultural competence
- Experience in safety or security roles, including strong de-escalation skills and the ability to maintain
- Ability to work independently and manage a schedule of safety monitoring responsibilities with
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse
learning new software
- Conversational ability in English required; additional language skills preferred
- Experience working with individuals with disabilities and/or mental health challenges preferred
• Regular use of computers, security cameras, and other library safety tools
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and move throughout public service areas
- Ability to visually monitor public spaces and security camera systems to observe and assess activity
- Ability to maintain situational awareness in a busy, dynamic environment
- Ability to communicate clearly in person and via communication devices (e.g., phone, radio)
- Ability to lift and carry items up to 30 pounds
- Ability to position oneself as needed to observe, assess, and respond to situations (e.g., bending,
- Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions of this position.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is performed in a busy, diverse public library environment where public interaction can sometimes
present challenges. The library hours vary, and this position may include occasional evening and weekend hours.
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